Islands Challenge Fund

Since the early 1900s, the number of Maine islands with year-round communities has dwindled from 300 to 14. Changes in the economy and skyrocketing real estate prices have made it increasingly difficult for working families to preserve a foothold on the islands.

In 2004 the Genesis Community Loan Fund released a DVD that highlighted several islands' efforts to halt the erosion of year-round communities.

At the same time, Genesis, in collaboration with the Maine Sea Coast Mission and the Island Institute with the Maine Community Foundation serving as fiscal agent, launched the Islands Challenge Fund to support island-based community development initiatives.  In December 2004, Jane's Trust of Boston provide the first significant funding for the Fund with a challenge grant of $220,000.  In December 2005, the challenge to raise $50,000 to secure a second year of funding from Jane's Trust was exceeded. 

Since that time the Islands Challenge Fund has made grants of $25,000 to three islands groups on Islesboro, Monhegan and North Haven.  Grants are made by a nine-member committee that includes island residents.  The Islands Challenge Fund provides challenge grants and match funds ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to support housing and community facility projects on Maine's year-round islands.

Prospective applicants should contact Genesis Fund Associate Director Liza Fleming-Ives (or at  207.563.6073) to discuss their project before submitting an Application Form.  (see application link below) ICF Guidelines (also below) are also available to provide more detail about the eligibility requirements, funding process and priorities of the Fund.

According the Maine Rep. Hannah Pingree of North Haven, the time to commit resources to help ensure sustainability could not come a better time. “I feel like this is a crucial period in history, about whether islands are going to be able to continue. There is enormous change going on.”

Review Islands Challenge Fund guidelines

Download Islands Challenge Fund application form ( PDF document )

See a list of Islands Challenge Fund partners and eligible Island communities

Read about more about the work and history of the Islands Challenge Fund on the "Island News" page linked above left.

 

Monhegan artists Allison Hill and Ted Tihanksy were able to purchase a permanently affordable home on Monhegan from the Monhegan Island Sustainable Community Association.  The Association was aided by a grant from the ICF and a loan from Genesis.

< more photos of Islands Challenge Fund projects