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A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Dear Friends, It is always so hard for me to bid "farewell" to summer, especially to one that has been as exciting and eventful for the Maine Women's Fund: - Gathering our board and board alumnae, along with Ellen Wells Legacy Society members, in Rockport and Falmouth to celebrate the work of the Fund;
- Orienting six new board members who bring even more energy to the board's critical work for women and girls; and
- Relocating the Fund's Portland office to its lovely new home at 74 Lunt Road (formerly the Lunt School) in Falmouth. The Fund is the first tenant in this redeveloped space, and we plan to invite you all to help us celebrate the new space as soon as the building is more complete. Until then, don't hesitate to stop by to say hello as we get settled in.
It's also exciting to be thinking about the 25th Anniversary of the Fund's very first grant cycle, which occurred in fiscal year 1990/1991. As we look back over the history of the Fund, we will be sharing some of the memories of our founders, board alumnae, grantees, former staff and other volunteers. I hope you'll share yours, too. If you have a story to share, please be in touch with me at sarah@mainewomensfund.org. We'd love to share your stories about the last 25 years of the Maine Women's Fund to commemorate how much work has been accomplished, and to help us plan for the future. In our July Enewsletter and on MPBN's August 11 episode of MPBN's Maine Calling I shared the great news of the amount of wealth controlled by women in the United States, and how important thoughtful planning is to stewarding that wealth for ourselves, our families and our communities. In this issue, we are spotlighting one of those planning opportunities and the story of Monique Crochet and her choice of a charitable gift annuity to provide her with fixed income for life and a future gift to the Fund. Please consider what your thoughtful planning could include for the future economic security of Maine women and girls, and visit our website to learn more about options for planned gifts. Thank you. Sarah Ruef-Lindquist
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The Fund has left the offices at Congress Street, and we are now settled in at
74 Lunt Road, Suite D,
Falmouth, ME 04105
You can still reach us at 207-774-5513, and at our Camden office at
41 Mechanic Street, Suite 328
Camden, ME 04843
We hope to see you at our new offices soon!
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Ways to Give
SPOTLIGHT ON GIFT ANNUITIES
by Sarah Ruef-Lindquist
The options for fixed-income investments for portfolios is pretty grim. T-bills? The rate on a 10-year is under 3%, and hit a record low of 2.32% on August 15, 2014.
What's an investor seeking stability in monthly income to do when CD rates and dividends are at all-time lows as well?
Enter the Maine Women's Fund Charitable Gift Annuity. With a minimum of $10,000 in cash, CD's or stock, a Charitable Gift Annuity will pay up to two annuitants a fixed income based on their age(s), and provide an income tax deduction the represents the projected remainder value of a gift to the Fund.
Here are some examples of payments for a single annuitant for a $10,000 or $100,000 gift:
You and/or your financial advisor are encouraged to contact Sarah Ruef-Lindquist at sarah@mainewomensfund.org or 207-975-5165 to explore this giving option. You can expect to obtain an illustration of how a Charitable Gift Annuity can fit your financial plans and provide a higher rate of income for you. 
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SPOTLIGHT
Maine Women's Fund Board of Directors: Sarah Strickland
Sarah Strickland is the owner of Strategic Wisdom Consultants, a consulting practice focused on enhancing an organization's capacity for strategic dialogue, practices and decision making. Sarah works with nonprofits, healthcare, education and other social enterprise organizations. She has been an activist for women's social, reproductive and economic justice for many years, and recently moved to her great grandfather's homestead in Robbinston in Maine's Washington County from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has served on the board of directors since 2012 and sits on the Board Governance and Leadership Gifts Committees.
Why do you support the Maine Women's Fund?
Economic security is essential if women and their families are going to have a chance at a life that moves beyond poverty, scarcity and low self-esteem. The programs that the Fund supports help women and girls to find their voice and encourage them to follow their aspirations. We see this every year at the Fund's annual Leadership Luncheon celebration.
What do you enjoy about board service?
Board service has always been a vehicle for me to offer my talents and gifts to advance work I believe in. It has also been an extraordinary way to learn and grow over the years. I am drawn to organizations that advocate for women and girls because I believe community resilience is dependent upon this.
What do you know about the Fund that you think most people don't, and should?
I think it is important for people to know that the Fund is making a very serious effort to have a board that represents the entire state of Maine. Rural America needs attention and support. Supporting women's economic security and entrepreneurial aspirations is an essential component that is often overlooked in this country. As a representative from Washington County, I hope to bring these needs and possibilities to the Fund's vision.
What is your vision for the Fund?
My five-year vision is that the Fund builds its capacity even more to help a larger group of results-oriented programs advance women's and girls' success in Maine.
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 As we cleaned out our Portland office in preparation for the big move to Falmouth, the Maine Women's Fund staff have come across more than a few gems of Fund days past. For one, we found a written history, dated August 1, 1992, that tells the story of how the Fund came to be:
The Maine Women's Fund was founded through the efforts of Gloria W. Milliken of New York City and Westport, Maine, who was a founder and board member of the New York Women's Foundation. At Gloria Milliken's urging, Ellen V.P. Wells of Falmouth, Maine, and Jacqueline Libby of Portland, Maine, held an introductory meeting at Camp Hammond in Yarmouth in 1988 to gather support for establishing the Maine Women's Fund. Helen LaKelly Hunt, a member of the board of the National Network of Women's Funds, headquartered in Minneapolis, was the meeting's keynote speaker. She urged those attending to establish a Maine women's foundation, and she pointed out that across the nation, less than five percent of philanthropic giving supported programs addressing the needs of women and girls. Tracy V. Booth of Cumberland, who was present at the Camp Hammond meeting, offered to hold a follow-up meeting at her home for those interested in doing more. Over twenty women attended, and on June 22, 1988, the Maine Women's Fund was established. We welcome you, the Fund community, to share your stories, pictures and memories of 25 Years of Grantmaking with us. Please contact us at thewomen@mainewomensfund.org or at 207-774-5513. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Since its inception the Fund has invested nearly $1.8 million in 180 organizations creating systemic change and improving the quality of life in our communities. Under its current leadership and strategic plan, the Fund is positioning itself to be a permanent source of philanthropy in Maine for women and girls. We invite you to join us this year as we look back and commemorate the Fund's 25 Years of Grantmaking. The Maine Women's Fund Founders are: Nancy Anderson, Tracy Booth, Minette Cummings, Beth Edmonds, Nancy Herter, Mary Hillas, Deborah Johnston, Lucinda Lang, Jacquelin Libby, Gloria Milliken, Margot Milliken, Destry Oldham-Sibley, Marjorie Phyfe, Carol Ward, Ellen Wells, Phoebe M. Whipple and Anne Zill. |
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Maine Women's Policy Center releases "Building a Prosperous Maine: A Roadmap to Economic Security for Women and Their Families"
 On August 26, 2014, the Maine Women's Policy Center released a set of policy recommendations to strengthen women's economic security.
The recommendations would bring workplace policies into the 21st century, meet working families' basic needs, ensure that children get a strong educational foundation and adults have the tools they need to support themselves and make sure all Maine people have access to a full range of health care services. Partial funding from the Maine Women's Fund helped make the report possible. Download the report here.
Photos left to right: Cover of report; Eliza Townsend, Executive Director of MWPC speaking at the State House, August 26, 2014.
 Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) is pleased to announce that they are now a health insurance Certified Application Counselor organization, working to help people enroll in the best health care plan for them. There has been an expansion of outreach and education efforts about the Affordable Care Act to include this enrollment work for patients and the many uninsured Mainers. In order to help the most people possible, PPNNE is seeking to recruit and train a group of dedicated volunteers as application counselors. If you're interested in making a difference in people's lives by helping them understand and navigate their health care options, please contact Outreach Coordinator Bridget Mancini for more details. Your work could help empower women to take control of their health care, making them, their families, and Maine communities healthier for years to come.
2nd Annual Great Falls Yoga Festival
September 13, 2014
There will be a wide range of offerings that will be hosted at various locations on Lisbon Street, Lewiston. With thanks to the enthusiastic support of the local business and yoga community, this promises to be a successful fundraising event for the YWCA of Central Maine.
Save the Date! Thursday, October 9th, 6:00PM in Portland
Wayfinder Schools' 2014 Farm to Sea Auction
Hardy Girls Healthy Women reclaims Halloween from the media's over-sexualization by bringing the scary back. Both events include fun for families and costume contests.
October 25, 2014 at 2pm: First annual Hardy Halloween at Deering Oaks Park
October 26, 2014 at 10am: Sixth annual Freaky 5K run at Colby College
Current and former grantees of the Maine Women's Fund may send news, events, program updates or other happenings to Marcie@mainewomensfund.org by the 20th of each month.
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MAINE CALLING: THE COMING WEALTH TRANSFER
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The episode explored the estimated $59TR wealth transfer from the "boomer" generation taking place between 2007 and 2061, and the role women will play through their own financial planning and philanthropy, controlling a majority of that wealth. What does this means for women, non-profits and Maine? You can listen to a rebroadcast anytime online.
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EVENTS & GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
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September 27, 2014 at the Wells Conference Center
Elect Her - Campus Women Win is the only program in the country that encourages and trains college women to run for student government and future political office. A collaboration between AAUW and Running Start, Elect Her addresses the need to expand the pipeline to women running for office and to diminish the longstanding political leadership gender gap. >>Read more
Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Portland Club
Maine Women's Lobby Gala | 5:30 PM
"The Voice of Maine Women - Loud & Clear"
Join the Maine Women's Lobby in honoring five inspiring women leaders: Mary Herman, Cheryl Miller, Attorney General Janet Mills, Zam Zam Mohamud, and Abbie Strout.
Tickets available here.
Save the Date! October 25, 2014
Town & Country's Money Conference, featuring award winning author and journalist Jean Chatzky, financial editor for NBC's Today Show.
At the Community Education Center on the University of Southern Maine campus in Portland. The information-packed day will include workshops on money matters that interest you and provide ideas and suggestions to get your finances on track in order to build a better life. Local resources will be on hand to share information about a range of financial topics including buying a car and investing for the future, plus other community resources.
Save the Date! Friday, November 7, 2014
The Unfinished Agenda: New England Women's Policy Conference
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston, MA.
Friday, November 14, 2014 in Boston, MA | 8:00am - 3:00pm
Dreaming Big: Making the Case for Girls, Focus on Middle Schoolers and Careers
Bringing funders, policymakers, educators and girl-serving organizations together to improve the lives and futures of girls. Simmons College, Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA. Registration Fee $35, with college ID $10. Presented by Simmons College and Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. >>Read more
RESOURCES
New York Times article: "Among the Poor, Women Feel Inequality More Deeply "
"Inequality is rising among women as well as men, but at the bottom, women are struggling with some dimensions of these problems that men aren't, which is raising and supporting these families as single heads of households," said Francine Blau, an economist at Cornell University.
Tune in on Saturday, September 13, 10am-11am on News Talk WLOB, 1310 AM radio for the HR Power Hour with David Ciullo. Featuring Carrie Zeisse of the United Way of Greater Portland and Maine Women's Fund CEO, Sarah Ruef-Lindquist.
"The Coming Wealth Transfer" on MPBN's Maine Calling
Maine Women's Fund CEO Sarah Ruef-Lindquist was a panelist on the popular MPBN show, Maine Calling, on an episode called "The Coming Wealth Transfer." An estimated $59 trillion will transfer from 2007 to 2061, the greatest in U.S. History. The landmark study from Havens & Schervish of Boston College updates the original figures from their study in 1999. The study reveals a 12% increase in lifetime giving from the 1999 study, which represents "nearly $27 trillion given to charity." Listen to the broadcast here. "21st Century Barriers to Women's Entrepreneurship" report conducted by the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Read the full report here.
The Chronicle on Philanthropy provides a host of webinars covering topics such as Fundraising, Social Media, Grant Seeking and Technology. Find the full schedule here.
2014 Kids Count report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation:
"More than one-third of Maine children live in households where parents lack full-time, year-round employment, while 21 percent of Maine children - or 54,000 - live in poverty." Read the full report here and the Maine report here. GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
 RedRover Seeks Applications From Emergency Shelter Groups to Help Victims of Domestic Abuse and Their Pets. In partnership with Sheltering Animals and Families Together, RedRover is accepting applications from emergency shelter organizations to help victims of domestic violence and their animal companions stay together during times of crisis.
Deadline: October 15
John T. Gorman Foundation Establishes Leadership Development Program in MaineThe John T. Gorman Fellowship is for nonprofit and public sector professionals working in fields related to the Foundation's four priorities. The Fellowship aims to help participants become more results-focused and enable them to build the vision, confidence and competence required to advance change and improve the lives of vulnerable people in Maine. The four priority areas are: improving educational achievement for young children, promoting successful adult transition for vulnerable older youth, helping struggling parents to support their families and enabling more low-income seniors to age in place. Deadline for application: September 19 >>Read more AAUW Accepting Applications for Community Action Grants The American Association of University Women is accepting applications for its Community Action Grants Program, an annual program that provides funds to individuals, AAUW branches, and AAUW state organizations as well as community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs and non-degree research projects that promote education and equity for women and girls. Deadline: January 15, 2015 >>Read more The MetLife Foundation Launched a new global campaign to bring financial inclusion to low-income communities. Deadline: Open American Honda Foundation Invites applications for STEM programs. Deadline: Open Pollination Project Seed Grants for Social EntrepreneursFor individuals working to make their community and the world a better place in the areas of arts and culture, community health and wellness, the environment, and justice. Deadline: Open Kellogg Foundation Invites applications for programs that engage youth and communities in learning opportunities. Deadline: Open |
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The Maine Women's Fund thanks MaineShare for its ongoing support. MaineShare makes it easy to donate to more than 30 statewide organizations working every day to make Maine a better place to live. For more information, please visit the website. |
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On behalf of the staff and board of the Maine Women's Fund, thank you for reading and for all you do to support Maine women and girls.
Office locations: 74 Lunt Road, Suite 100, Falmouth, ME 04105 | 41 Mechanic Street, Suite 328, Camden, ME 04843
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