Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

September 21, 2025 2025 Giving Guide

Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation

 

2026 Goals

This year’s goals focus on expanding our impact and increasing stewardship of the Allagash. We are working with the Unified School District in the St. John Valley to fully integrate our flagship Youth on the Allagash padding and camping program into the district’s calendar next year. This will more than double the amount of local youth who are introduced to the Allagash each summer, while fostering the next generation of stewards.

We are also heavily focused on furthering our support of Wabanaki entities and individuals interested in learning about traditional cultural and ecological knowledge centered around their homelands in the Allagash Watershed and Upper Wolastoq Watershed in Maine.

Our scientific initiatives are equally vital. We are working to implement findings from AWWF’s groundbreaking ecological assessment of the Waterway in 2023, while continuing our long-term Coldwater Fisheries Habitat Temperature Monitoring Project that aims to safeguard the region’s native brook trout.

Fundraising events/Opportunities

AWWF launched two significant fundraisers this summer. The first is a matching campaign focused on organizational sustainability and scientific research. An anonymous donor is matching all new or increased donations to AWWF, up to $75,000, through the end of 2025.

The second fundraising opportunity supports our Youth on the Allagash (YOTA) program. YOTA connects students from the St. John Valley and around the state to the extraordinary wilderness of the Allagash. Through experiential learning and place-based STEAM education, our wilderness trips foster awareness of the Waterway’s ecological, cultural, and historical values, and inspire the next generation to love the Maine outdoors.

Giving Opportunities

Because the Allagash is so remote, our donor base at AWWF is rather small. We’re in the Giving Guide this year to reach new people who are interested in protecting the largest undeveloped watershed east of the Rocky Mountains. The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is without permanent settlements, public or paved roads, and utilities and it is the only large watershed in the U.S. harboring intact populations of native, wild Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, and Burbot in its large lakes, ponds, and river, together with all their tributaries.

Our Annual Appeal runs over the last three months of this year. Our goal is to raise $75,000 in new and increased donations to qualify for a matching pledge from a long-time donor.

We would also welcome businesses and foundations that are focused on Maine’s outdoor economy and youth education to reach out about supporting our Youth on the Allagash program. We’re rolling out a YOTA 2026 sponsorship program in October that will receive plenty of publicity around the state, with a heavy emphasis on Aroostook County and the St. John Valley.

Volunteer Opportunities

AWWF welcomes dedicated volunteers to help us protect and promote the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. We are seeking individuals to join our board of directors to provide essential leadership and oversight.

We also have on-the-ground volunteer opportunities focused on supporting our Youth Paddling Program, particularly in the Fort Kent and Madawaska areas. This support can range from assisting with gear logistics to providing program support during events.

At A Glance

Established: 2011 / Employees: 1 / Annual revenue: $230,470

Top funding sources

58% Donations

38% Grant support

2.3% Publication sales

1.7% Event revenue

Contact

P.O. Box 276

Casco, ME 04015

(207) 402-0965

www.awwf.org

Awards/Accolades

AWWF was a finalist in 2024 for the National Association of State Park Directors’ Presidents Award that honors the efforts of the top nonprofit/volunteer/friends group across the country. We were nominated by Maine’s Bureau of Public Lands staff and the Superintendent of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. 

Mission Statement

AWWF enhances Maine’s administration of the Waterway through research and protection of the natural and cultural resources, creating interpretation and education materials, supporting appropriate land protection, enhancing and encouraging visitor use, especially youth, and bringing the wonders of the Allagash into local classrooms. We are the Friends of the Allagash.

Area served

AWWF primarily focuses its efforts on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, the North Maine Woods and on the communities in Aroostook County near the Waterway.

Leadership

Daniel Dinsmore
Executive Director

Board Officers

Don Hudson, President, Retired, Chewonki

Aga Dixon, Vice President, Drummond Woodsum

Leslie Marquis, Secretary, Fort Kent Community School, High School Science Teacher

Peter Sirois, Treasurer, Retired, Northern Maine Medical Center

Board Members

Scot Balentine, Senior Product Developer, L.L.Bean

Dick Barringer, Retired, Muskie School of Public Service

John Daigle, Professor, University of Maine

Travis Duval, Partner, United Insurance

Tom Gerard, Retired Teacher, Madawaska High School

Alec Giffen, Advisor, New England Forest Foundation

Paul Johnson, Retired, Fisheries Biologist

Jana Kenney, Lawyer, Bergen Parkinson

Bob McIntosh, Retired, National Park Service

Jason Perkins, Vice President/Brewmaster, Allagash Brewing Company