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September 21, 2025 2025 Giving Guide

Maine Youth Thriving

Behind the scenes of our Youth Mattering PSA campaign—where young people bravely share what it means to feel seen, heard, valued, and to add value.

 

2026 Goals

In 2024–2025, Maine Youth Thriving (MyT) aims to ignite a statewide culture of youth mattering through three core goals:

(1) Elevate youth voice, ensuring young people are co-designers of programs, messaging, and training;

(2) Equip caring adults with research-based tools and training to create environments where youth feel seen, heard, and valued; and

(3) Drive systems change by convening cross-sector leaders, creating community-driven strategies, and embedding the science of resilience and Positive Childhood Experiences across schools, communities, and organizations.

We will launch a centralized Learning Hub, grow our membership network, expand youth-led storytelling and PSAs, and host a statewide REVIVE Summit. Internally, we are building our team capacity and diversifying funding to sustain this movement long-term. Every effort is grounded in our mission: to ensure all Maine youth can thrive in positive environments, rich with connection and opportunity.

Fundraising Events/Opportunities

In 2025, Maine Youth Thriving will host two signature events: the REVIVE Summit on Oct. 10 and a You Matter Plunge: Every Splash Shows Youth in Maine They Matter in February.

The Summit features keynote speaker Jennifer Wallace, Award-winning journalist and bestselling author of Never Enough, and Richard Weissbourd, EdD – renowned psychologist, senior lecturer at Harvard, and director of the Making Caring Common Project. There will also be special offerings like a Wellbeing Room, Seaside Yoga, and the Resilience Changemaker Awards, honoring Maine organizations creating positive relationships, experiences, and environments for youth.

Businesses can sponsor keynote sessions, breakout workshops, wellness experiences, or award presentations to align their brand with a statewide movement for youth thriving. In-kind donations and sponsorships help ensure these events are accessible, restorative, and deeply impactful for both youth-serving professionals and caregivers across Maine.

Giving Opportunities

Businesses and donors can support Maine Youth Thriving through our membership program and Mattering Movement Fund – which fuels training, youth-led storytelling, community programming, and statewide expansion. We welcome sponsorships for special campaigns and initiatives, as well as in-kind contributions such as event space, printing, wellness products, or supplies for trainings and caregiver retreats. Businesses can underwrite scholarships, tools, or regional pilot programs that create positive environments, experiences, and relationships for youth. Whether it’s a one-time donation, an annual commitment, or a creative partnership, your support helps build a Maine where every young person knows they matter.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers play a vital role in helping Maine Youth Thriving advance our mission. Businesses can host employee volunteer days to support event setup, registration, or hospitality at our REVIVE Summit or You Matter Plunge: Every Splash Shows Youth in Maine They Matter. Professionals with expertise in marketing, design, evaluation, or facilitation can offer pro bono services or join a planning committee. Volunteers are also needed to help assemble caregiver kits, support youth storytelling projects, or serve as local ambassadors for our Mattering Movement. Whether contributing a few hours or an ongoing commitment, your time helps create positive experiences, relationships, and environments that help Maine youth and families thrive.

At A Glance

Established: 2019 / Employees: 3 / Annual revenue: $460,000

Top funding sources

42.9% Grants/contracts

29.6% Private philanthropy

8.9% Dues

7.4% Fees/services

5.9% Fundraising

3.0% Sponsorships

1.5% Individual donations

Contact

PO Box 385

Gorham, ME 04038

(207) 807-3334

maineyouththriving.org

Mission Statement

Maine Youth Thriving supports Maine’s communities by promoting research-based resilience practices that foster positive environments, experiences and relationships, ensuring a healthy, connected, and flourishing future for all our young people.

Service locations

Statewide

Leadership

Delvina Miremadi-Baldino, Ph.D., Ed.M., CAPP
Executive Director

Board officers

Daniel J. Puhlman, PhD, LMFT, Board President, Assistant Professor in the Child and Family Studies program, College of Education and Human Development, University of Maine, and a Marriage and Family Therapist

J. Kenneth Stewart III, Board Treasurer, Senior Vice President Banking, M&T Bank

Leslie A. Forstadt, PhD, Board Secretary, Extension Professor in Human Development and Human Development Specialist, University of Maine

Board Members

Catharine Biddle, Director, School of Educational Leadership, Higher Education and Human Development Director, Center for Applied Research on Education and Schools and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership

Samantha Hackney, Co-Founder & Principal, Marigold Strategy

Shaun Haskins, Co-Director and Director of Development, Cobscook Institute

Amanda Methot Vigue, MSW, JD, Owner Methot Method Consulting

Kristy Ouellette, PhD, Extension Professor/Positive Youth Development Specialist, Maine 4-H Leadership Team, University of Maine

Jim Roche, President, Maine Bankers Association