December 2005

Islands Challenge Fund exceeds fundraising challenge from Jane's Trust and receives $100,000 to support year-round island communities

The Genesis Fund recently secured a second year of funding for the Islands Challenge Fund - a matching grant program that provides support for housing and community facility initiatives on Maine's year-round islands. Genesis, with help from several partner organizations, exceeded a fundraising challenge by Jane's Trust, a Boston-based foundation, to raise $50,000 for Maine's island communities.

 

The challenge was part of a $220,000 two-year funding commitment to help launch the Islands Challenge Fund. Release of second year funds of $100,000 was contingent on Genesis and its partners raising the $50,000 match. The funds raised will be granted to island housing organizations to match local fundraising efforts for housing and community facility projects. The Islands Challenge Fund was established just one year ago as a collaborative effort of Genesis, the Island Institute, the Maine Sea Coast Mission, Maine Community Foundation, and representatives of several year-round islands to help sustain Maine's year-round island communities. Grants are made by a nine-member committee that includes island residents.

 

To meet the challenge from Jane's Trust, Genesis and its partners received support from the C.F. Adams Charitable Trust, the Frances Hollis Brain Foundation, and the Birch Cove Fund at the Maine Community Foundation. Contributions to the Fund were also made by Camden National Bank, The First, and several generous individuals. For more information on the grant from Jane's Trust or the Islands Challenge Fund in general, please contact Liza Fleming-Ives at 207-563-6073.

^ Island Challenge Fund Overview

^ Sample Island Projects

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