Courtesy photo
Kelly McCormack, development and marketing manager at the Maine Association of Nonprofits
Updated: November 30, 2021
Beyond Giving Tuesday: Here's what 8 Maine nonprofits have planned for 2022
File Photo / Jim Neuger
Reza Jalali, executive director of the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, says the organization has "big plans and dreams" for new and continuing initiatives in 2022.
Since 2012, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has been recognized as Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity to charitable causes. To spotlight the work of Maine nonprofits, Mainebiz asked representatives of several organizations about their fundraising priorities for 2022. Here's what they told us.
Reza Jalali, Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center executive director: "Maine's nonprofits lead community efforts in helping those in need. They are the game changers! Over the past year, we have learned lessons, fostered new relationships and worked to change the narrative about Maine’s growing immigrant population. Although we have struggled with the challenges of COVID-19, in opening up our virtual doors we have substantially broadened our reach to serve more New Mainers, including offering statewide remote English instructions. We have big plans and dreams for new and continuing initiatives next year." The center’s specific plans include helping Afghan refugees and other New Mainers learn English, join the workforce and maybe even start a business of their own, as well as producing a directory of immigrant-owned businesses in Maine.
Heather Steeves, Goodwill Northern New England communications manager: "Goodwill Northern New England's goal to bring 10,000 households into stability by 2027 is at the core of our fundraising priorities in 2022. Financial gifts and donations to Goodwill help people find stability through Workforce Services, get their life back after a brain injury at NeuroRehab, participate in LifeWorks community supports for adults with disabilities and more. With strong program support, we will continue to do the most for anyone that comes to Goodwill for help."
Kelly McCormack, Maine Association of Nonprofits development and marketing manager: "Heading into 2022, MANP looks forward to deepening our existing sponsor partnerships, as well as creating new ones with community-centric businesses and individuals that wish to have a broad impact by investing in our initiatives and scholarship program."
Jon Landers, development director, Landing School: "For 2022, the Landing School’s fundraising priorities are to increase awareness and support, not only from alumni and industry partners but also from those who benefit from the skills and high-quality products that the Landing School graduates provide to the marine industry and the boating public. As the marine industry is a critically important driver to Maine’s economy and identity, the Landing School is committed to producing a talented workforce for that industry. For 2022, our efforts to expand our sources of charitable gifts is critical to allowing us to maintain tuition at its current level in order to provide students with an affordable educational opportunity."
Courtesy / Gateway Community Services
Abdullahi Ali, founder and executive director of Gateway Community Services
Abdullahi Ali, Gateway Community Services founder and CEO: "Looking ahead at 2022 and beyond, we have fundraising priorities that help to not only sustain our growth, but also to extend an arm to the newest members of our community," including new arrivals from Afghanistan. "Fundraising in 2022 will include attention to the building of our supportive internal systems and controls. This includes investing in the operations side of our team to allow for quality assurance, human resource capacity to help care for our team, and strengthening our financial systems and controls to help us sustain and be the best stewards possible."
Brett Ciccotelli, restoration and engagement coordinator, Downeast Salmon Federation: "The Downeast Salmon Federation works hard to protect and restore the heritage river fisheries and communities that depend on them in eastern Maine. With over 6,000 acres of land protected by our land trust, rivers and streams reconnected through our habitat work, and millions of salmon parr released into our rivers we know how to do the work needed to pass on wild rivers full of fish to the next generation.This work doesn't come cheap, and [Downeast Salmon Federation] continues to need public and private funds to keep this work going. For nearly 40 years, individuals have generously supported our work, and we look forward to that continued support in the years ahead."
Courtesy / Riding to the Top Therapeutic Riding Center
This Giving Tuesday, Riding to the Top Therapeutic Riding Center in Windham is seeking to raise $10,000 to cover the cost of hay for horses this winter.
Susan Cole, director of development, Riding to the Top Therapeutic Riding Center in Windham: "Our
fundraising priorities for 2022 include reducing the people on our waiting lists and finding a few new horses to meet increased demand for our equine assisted services. In addition, we will continue work with Maine Behavioral Health's NIH-sponsored research on the effects of therapeutic riding on children with autism."
Liz Cotter Schlax, president and CEO, United Way of Southern Maine: "We continue to see significant disparities across all of Southern Maine in the areas of education, financial stability and health, exacerbated by the pandemic. United Way of Southern Maine is focused on programs and strategies that demonstrate the greatest impact on both deeply-rooted systemic issues and immediate needs, to help all communities from Freeport to Kittery, Bridgton to Berwick. We’re working to bring organizations and individuals together to address these significant and pressing challenges. Our Racial Equity Fund and our work in tackling Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are two such examples."
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