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September 21, 2025 2025 Giving Guide

The Center for Grieving Children

 

2026 Goals

Our vision is that all children and families have access to grief support at no cost for as long as necessary. We want every person in Maine to know about the Center’s services so that no one has to grieve alone.

Goal 1: Provide high-quality grief peer support programs for Maine children and their families in-person at the Center’s Portland and Sanford locations and virtually.

Goal 2: Support schools, workplaces and agencies through crisis response services and grief-related education and training.

Goal 3: Lead community response to challenges and emerging needs related to supporting grieving children and families.

Goal 4: Meaningfully recognize the volunteers, donors and business sponsors who keep the Center’s services free for families.

Fundraising events/Opportunities

The Center for Grieving Children hosts both small and large-scale events throughout the year. Please visit our website for the latest details, or www.cgcmaine.org/donate to support us today. Each February, we look forward to our annual LOVE Gala, the Center’s largest fundraising event. Both sponsorships and individual tickets will be available for this meaningful evening of connection and community.

Our Corporate Partner Program also provides local businesses with great visibility and employee volunteer opportunities. Depending on the giving level, year-round partnerships include recognition at our events, webinars, conferences, and tailored communications. Beloved business supporters can also donate a percentage of sales or create their own customized fundraiser to support the Center. Many opportunities are available!

Giving Opportunities

• Individual Donors help create dependable revenue for the Center by making annual gifts.

• “Friends of Hope” is our monthly giving program that spreads giving throughout the year.

• Corporate Partners invest in a relationship with great returns for businesses, employees, the community and the Center.

• Contributions are made to the Center in memory or honor of a loved one, or to mark a special occasion or company milestone.

• Bequests leave a legacy of support, by joining the Bill Hemmens Society, ensuring our services will be available for children and families for years to come.

• #GivingTuesday – Dec. 2, 2025

• Center Day of Giving – early June

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are at the heart of the Center’s service and work throughout the community.

• Program Facilitators make a weekly commitment to our peer-based grief support groups for children and their adult family members. The Center provides excellent training and ongoing support.

• Event volunteers help make our fundraising events successful. We welcome individuals and groups of employees to assist at our events.

• Office volunteers assist with a variety of projects on a one-time or ongoing basis.

• Employee volunteer groups can hold their own fundraiser to benefit the Center or complete special projects in collaboration with the Center.

At A Glance

Established: 1987 / Employees: 12 / Annual revenue: $1,325,129

Top funding sources

43% Individual and corporate

29% Events

21% Grants

7% Other

Contact

555 Forest Ave.

Portland, ME 04101

(207) 775-5216

www.cgcmaine.org

Awards/Accolades

2023: 9th Annual Red Sox IMPACT Awards 1st Place Winners in Maine

2023: Certificate of Special Recognition from Senator Angus King for the Center for Grieving Children’s 35th Anniversary 

2024: Declaration of National Children’s Grief Awareness Month (November) by Gov. Janet Mills

Mission Statement

The Center for Grieving Children’s mission is to provide a safe space, loving peer support, outreach and education to grieving children, teens, families and the community.

Service locations

Most of the Center’s participants reside in Cumberland and York counties. We also serve other Maine counties and parts of New Hampshire virtually.

Leadership

Gretchen Johnson
Executive Director

Board officers

Jack Yao, President 

Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, MEMIC

Lindsey Kerkela, Vice President, HR Generalist, Open Technology Fund 

Jennifer Kimball, Secretary, Chief Accounting Officer, WEX  

Andrew Baldacci, Treasurer, CEO, Saber Simulations, LLC 

Kim Donnelly, Immediate Past President, Executive Vice President, Director of Wealth & Business, Maine Community Bank  

Jerry Lyon, At Large, Manager, FirstLight Communications 

Brian Morin, At Large, Head of Disability and State Programs, Guardian Life 

Bryan J. Shumway, At Large

Board Members

Michael Anderson, Partner, Pierce Atwood LLP 

Kathy Baker, Rental Manager/Agent, Kennebunk Beach Realty, Inc. 

Kelly Barton, President, Behavioral Health, MaineHealth 

Christopher Bender, President, Northcross Group 

Brian Cho, Vice President, Transformation, Strategy & Corporate Development, Convera 

Doug Currier, Partner, Verrill 

Jessica Estes 

Lily Hanstein, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Communications, MEMIC 

Kimberly Marcotte 

Holly Margeson Gamache, Adjunct Professor/Trainer, York County Community College  

Shannon Moore, Senior Client Service Associate, Morgan Stanley, Breakwater Group 

Diane Mutagoma, Senior Attorney Recruiter, Bernstein Shur 

Michael Neff, Portfolio Manager, R.M. Davis 

Elizabeth Plizga, Group Vice President, Diversified Communications  

Eric Swanson, Vice President, Claims, Patrons Oxford Insurance Co.