Quality of Place Initiative

Welcome to the Environmental Funders Network e-newsletter. 

The term “quality of place” conveys the essential relationship between Maine’s environmental well-being, its economic prosperity, and the overall quality of life. Through financial support, collaborative grantmaking, and learning opportunities, the EFN is bringing nonprofits, governmental agencies, business, and philanthropy together to implement sustainable quality of place strategies. Learn more.

Grantees on the Ground:

GrowSmart Maine

GrowSmart Maine partnered with nonprofits, developers, and individuals to create The Downtown Coalition, the first of what the group hopes will be many coalitions bringing attention and energy to smart growth opportunities in Maine. GrowSmart Maine hosted a gubernatorial forum to discuss quality of place issues on September 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Bangor Opera House. Learn more about GrowSmart's project.

"Whether land conservation, downtown revitalization, historic preservation, or farming, forestry, and fishing, GrowSmart Maine will continue to bring stakeholders together to address some of the most challenging growth issues in the state." -- Nancy Smith, Executive Director, GrowSmart Maine

Who’s in the Network:

Ellen Pope

The Environmental Funders Network was the brainchild of the Maine Community Foundation, Maine Philanthropy Center, and the Lennox Foundation in 2005. Ellen Pope, the community foundation’s vice president and chief operating officer, has been staff representative to the EFN since its start. The community foundation and several of its donor-advised funds contribute to the EFN’s Quality of Place initiative and grantmaking. Pope, whose previous experience includes work in natural resource conservation, says, “We are especially pleased with our involvement because it responds to individual donors’ interests, while at the same time advancing our goal of increasing the effectiveness of philanthropy in Maine.” More about the network.

From Around the State ...

Hikers, backpackers, cross-country skiers, mountain bikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts have a new way to discover Franklin County’s hidden treasures. Maine Trailfinder is a collaborative effort of EFN Quality of Place grantee Healthy Community Coalition and state and local organizations and other private funders. The website includes photos, maps (with length and difficulty of trails), weather conditions, information on where to park, and whether or not pets are allowed. Eventually the site will list outdoor adventure locations throughout the state.

... And Across the Nation

The Environmental Grantmakers Association (EGA)’s National Retreat is being held in Pacific Grove, California, October 5 to 8.

EGA represents 225 foundations from North America and around the world. Keynote speaker Maude Barlow, founder of the Blue Planet Project, will address international water rights. Barlow is the board chair of Food and Water Watch and a member of the International Forum on Globalization.

Maine will be hosting a water rights forum of its own. The Maine and New England Funders’ Briefing on Water Resources, sponsored by the Park Foundation, New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust, and Broad Reach Fund of the Maine Community Foundation, will take place October 14 in Portland. Register here.

Coming Up Next from EFN

December 1 is the deadline for our $100,000 challenge grant from Jane’s Trust. Your matching gift will support grants for the work that EFN’s grantees -- and potential grantees -- are doing to protect and enhance Maine’s quality of place. For more information or to make a pledge, contact Ellen Pope at the Maine Community Foundation.

There’s still time to register for Keeping Maine’s Forests: New Strategies for Changing Times, a funders’ forum taking place Oct. 5 in Freeport. Join the conversation about the future of Maine’s North Woods.

Our Mission

The Environmental Funders Network helps to identify and create ways to improve and sustain Maine’s natural environment. We accomplish our mission by identifying opportunities for individual or joint funding of initiatives, providing opportunities for education and sharing of information to gain a deeper understanding of trends, challenges, and solutions, and encouraging networking. Learn more.