Downeast Maine
Mission: To encourage Downeast Maine communities to work together to preserve their local cultural heritage, improve
their quality of life, adapt to a changing environment, and achieve a sustainable economy.
The C. F. Adams Charitable Trust primarily supports nonprofit organizations based in the targeted coastal region of
Maine from Schoodic Peninsula to Eastport. It wants its grantmaking to reflect local values, to develop local community
leadership and to help local voices be heard. Its work falls within two broad categories:
Changing Environment and Sustainable Economy
Cultural Heritage and Quality of Life
I. Changing Environment and Sustainable Economy
The accelerating real estate pressures in coastal Maine combined with the declines in the natural resource-based economy
of fishing, logging and blueberries make it important to address both the need for sustainable jobs and the preservation of
what had been traditionally public access to the coast, rivers and forests. The Trust supports the work of the following
organizations:
Downeast Salmon Federation
Downeast Salmon Federation's mission is to conserve wild Atlantic salmon and its habitat, restore
a viable sports fishery and protect other important river, scenic, recreational and ecological resources in eastern Maine.
The organization offers environmental education programs, operates a salmon hatchery, serves as a land trust to protect
habitat and public access, and is developing a research and community outreach facility.
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C.F. Adams Charitable Trust has provided program and administrative support to help attract
and match public sector grants for restoration of wild Atlantic salmon habitat, river corridor
protection and public awareness of water quality and land conservation. Special grants for high
visibility land acquisition projects and development of an award-winning website have helped to
raise the organization's profile and broaden its member and donor base.
"Our work in partnership with the Adams Trust is building an enduring legacy in Washington County that will
maintain and improve the quality of life for many generations to come. The consistent and generous support provided
by the C.F. Adams Charitable Trust has been a critically important stimulus for major advancements in our programming
and organizational development - particularly for our relatively new land trust program. The tremendous conservation
opportunities that we are working to address are of national, regional and local significance. Local capacity to
seize these opportunities is seriously limited which means that the investment by the Adams Trust has been very, very
important and allowed us to raise many thousands of additional dollars that would not have otherwise been available to
the region. Working with the Adams Trustees has been a wonderful experience that has enriched our organization in many,
many ways. We have built a true working and personal relationship based upon mutual interests, respect and creativity -
just the way all relationships in our lives should work!"
Dwayne Shaw, Executive Director
Downeast Salmon Federation
187 Main Street
PO Box 20
Columbia Falls, Maine 04623
http://www.mainesalmonrivers.org/
Eastport for Pride
The role of Eastport for Pride is to strengthen, preserve, and enhance the commercial historic district in Eastport, while maintaining
its small town quality of life.
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C. F. Adams Charitable Trust provides administrative support for Main Streets economic revitalization effort for downtown Eastport
to generate volunteer civic involvement and to attract new businesses and tourism.
"The C.F. Adams Charitable Trust has been been a real mentor to us, not only offering critical financial support, but also
providing us the opportunity to meet with other regional non-profits on a regular basis, participate in state-wide non-profit
conferences, and perhaps most importantly engaging us in a thoughtful year-round dialogue about what it means to be a small non-profit
in Washington County."
Lissa EuDayl, Downtown Coordinator
Eastport for Pride
93 Water Street
PO Box 122
Eastport, ME 04631-0122
Ph: 207-853-2400
http://www.eastportforpride.org/
Mano en Mano/Hand in Hand
Mano en Mano's mission is "to build a strong and diverse community in Downeast Maine by working with diverse
populations to provide affordable housing and educational opportunities, remove barriers to health and social
services and to advocate for social justice." Mano en Mano was established by the Milbridge community in
response to the needs of the growing year-round population of migrant workers, largely from Mexico and Honduras.
Serving youths and adults in programs offered in both Spanish and English, the organization provides access to
educational, health, and social service resources.
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The C. F. Adams Charitable Trust provides operating support to expand Mano en Mano's staffing resources
with the addition of AmeriCorps workers. The additional staff helps to strengthen community outreach
efforts and to increase the services for young people.
"Since 2005, Mano en Mano has built its capacity to offer a variety of educational and referral services
to the Latino community in the Downeast, including English classes for adults and youth, health education classes,
and a referral system for other social services and legal assistance. For the past two years, Mano en Mano has
offered scholarships for high school students to study English at the University of Maine. In 2008, we partnered
with Dollars for Scholars to offer scholarships to Latino college students. In the fall of 2008, Mano en Mano
received funding from Rural Development to build the first off-farm farm labor affordable housing in the state.
The ability to build these programs and our capacity to operate them would not have been possible without the
support of the C. F. Adams Charitable Trust."
Anais Tomezsko, Executive Director
Mano en Mano
51 Main Street
P. O. Box 573
Milbridge, ME 04658
Phone: (207) 546-3006
http://www.manoenmanocenter.org/
Sunrise County Economic Council
Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC), initiates and facilitates the creation of jobs and prosperity in Washington County,
Maine by working with a consortium of community-minded businesses, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and citizens.
It has adopted a grassroots approach to economic and community development, seeking common ground, working across traditional
political, municipal and economic boundaries.
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C. F. Adams Charitable Trust provides flexible unrestricted support to enable SCEC to undertake projects and respond
to opportunities on a timely basis. This support makes it possible for the staff to devote their energy to building
relationships and making connections that foster economic development in the region.
"The C.F. Adams Charitable Trust is one of our most valued partners in economic, community and leadership
development. We have worked together to build meaningful programs that address long term economic conditions in
Washington County. They are more than another supporter; they are concerned and active partners helping address
our many opportunities and complex challenges that face our region. They care about people and life Downeast,
and recognize that there are no simple answers."
Harold Clossey, Executive Director
Sunrise County Economic Council
PO Box 679
Machias, ME 04654
Ph: 207-255-0983
Fax: 207-255-4987
http://www.sunrisecounty.org/
Woodie Wheaton Land Trust
The Woodie Wheaton Land Trust is focused on protecting and preserving land and waters in the Chiputneticook
Lakes Region of Maine and New Brunswick within the watershed of the St. Croix River. The Trust was formed in
1994 by local citizens and Maine guides to preserve the natural beauty and wildness of the region and to assure
access by future generations to the lakes, islands and woodlands.
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The C. F. Adams Charitable Trust provided a challenge grant to encourage new and increased donations
to the construction of the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust Center in Forest City. The Center will serve as
headquarters for the Trust and will be made available for community use.
"The support of C.F. Adams Charitable Trust is pivotal in helping us bring the Land Trust Center project
to life. The challenge grant provides a spark to help energize our membership and recruit new contributors. At times
when we struggle with this project, it's reassuring to know that we have a partner that is committed to seeing
us succeed."
Paul First, Executive Director
Woodie Wheaton Land Trust
Business Office
389 Swamp Road
Durham, Maine 04222
Phone: (207) 319-7652
http://www.woodiewheaton.org/
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II. Cultural Heritage and Quality of Life
The economic and environmental pressures in Downeast Maine affect the quality of life of the
residents and heighten their interest in preserving the region's cultural heritage. The Trust
supports the following organizations engaged in addressing these issues:
Cobscook Community Learning Center
The mission of the Cobscook Community Learning Center is to sustain an educational setting within which people can cultivate
understanding and enrich life through experiences in the natural surroundings, with our cultures and traditions, and through
access to the arts. The Center offers intergenerational courses in pottery, fiber arts, music. It provides after
school/summer youth programs and a high school degree program for parenting teens, sponsors a community garden and public internet
access and serves as a community resource for music, films, and educational opportunities.
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The C. F. Adams Charitable Trust provided early administrative support to encourage the grassroots development of a
multi-generational educational and community center. The Trust subsequently provided capital funds for the
construction of two buildings and general operating support for program and resource development.
"Creating a vision for a healthy community - for new options - is an invigorating experience. Standing behind that
vision is another thing all together - a daunting commitment to an unlikely goal. Securing support to work towards success
requires true partnerships. The Trustees of C. F. Adams Charitable Trust understand that it takes more than money to be a
partner in a successful venture. Cobscook Community Learning Center exists today, to a large degree, because the Trustees
took the time to understand our vision, to recognize our strengths, and help us articulate our challenges. They have
provided essential funds to help fuel our efforts - our success, but just as importantly, perhaps more so, they have partnered
with us to strengthen the business end of non-profit operations without compromising - in fact, enhancing - our ability to work
within our mission towards our goal of firmly establishing a vibrant community learning center in this rural corner of Maine.
C. F. Adams Trust is unique it its commitment to whole systems thinking and action in their philanthropic work.
"In my work with C. F. Adams Charitable Trust, I have found solid and timely mentorship - guidance which has helped our
organization identify and articulate the strategies that would take us through the next growth stage of our organization. With
that information we worked to leverage their financial contribution to maximize its benefit to the Center. I have valued that
guidance as much as we have been sustained by the Trust's generous financial support.
"C. F. Adams Charitable Trust is a bridge building philanthropic organization, unique in its supportive and strategic
partnership with the non-profits it supports. It has helped convene and sustain a group of Directors of Non-Profit Organizations
from our region to support one another's work and strengthen our collective impact on the Downeast Region. C. F. Adams Trust
listens and 'steps in' with great skill - into relationship to forward a mission."
Alan Furth, Executive Director
Cobscook Community Learning Center
10 Commissary Point Road
Lubec, ME 04652
(207) 733-2233
http://www.thecclc.org/
Eastport Arts Center
The role of the Eastport Arts Center is to stimulate and nurture an appreciation of the visual and performing arts
and the creative process, and to provide a home and an environment within which they can prosper. With its acquisition
of a building with a performing arts space, the Eastport Arts Center evolved from an umbrella for several diverse arts
organizations into a community arts center where artists and performers of all ages can engage in cultural activities.
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The C. F. Adams Charitable Trust made a multi-year challenge grant to provide operating support to help cover the administrative
and facilities management costs as the organization makes the transition from an all-volunteer endeavor to a professionally managed one.
"The C. F. Adams Charitable Trust has allowed the Eastport Arts Center to explore, grow and organize itself during
challenging economic and social times in Washington County, Maine. Since the Trust began their support of our Executive
Director position, we have enjoyed increasing organization stability, which has given us the chance to fine tune our board
and program structure. This has given us greater success in fundraising, programming and community relations. We are truly
pleased to have the continued support and guidance of the C. F. Adams Charitable Trust and appreciate their enthusiasm for
the arts in Eastport."
Shelby E. H. Greene, Executive Director
Eastport Arts Center
36 Washington Street. P.O. Box 153
Eastport, ME 04631-0153
Phone: (207) 853-4650
http://www.eastportartscenter.com/
Schoodic Arts for All
Schoodic Arts for All brings art and culture to the Schoodic Peninsula area and surrounding communities in Downeast Maine. It provides
music, art, dance, theater, writing, crafts, poetry, sculpture, fiber arts, and jazz in performances and workshops at affordable prices.
To encourage families to attend events together, children are admitted free to all performances.
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The C. F. Adams Charitable Trust initially supported hiring the first part-time director to administer the
2-week summer festival that draws upon local artists as instructors for a wide array of
classes open to all ages. As the organization has grown into a year-round effort housed in an
historic hall, the Trust has provided capital and operating support and professional development assistance.
"The C. F. Adams Charitable Trust is the moving force behind the prodigious growth of Schoodic Arts
for All, a Downeast arts nonprofit. Schoodic Arts for All has invigorated the Schoodic Peninsula in the face
of the loss of the Navy base, and has strongly influenced the greater Downeast community. This success is due
in part to the financial support and expert guidance from the C. F. Adams Charitable Trust to a young nonprofit
experiencing rapid growth without the infrastructure and financial backing necessary for success. The Trust
offered generous financial support along with kind and directed guidance toward expanding our programming and
becoming financially self-sufficient.
"Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the relationship between the Adams Trust and Schoodic Arts for All is
the mutual respect that exists between the two organizations. When the trustees visit us during our summer festival,
we feel they truly admire what we are doing and we are very grateful for their insight and generosity."
Cynthia Thayer, Former Board President
Schoodic Arts for All
427 Main Street
Winter Harbor, ME 04693
207-963-2569
http://www.schoodicarts.org/
The Tides Institute and Museum of Art
The Tides Institute and Museum of Art builds and exhibits cultural collections, creates new cultural works and strengthens cultural
ties within the greater Passamaquoddy region, between New England and the Atlantic Provinces and to the wider world. It works
collaboratively with other museums, historic sites and government agencies to raise awareness of the rich heritage of the region
through its CulturePass program, exhibits and online resources. Currently undertaking a meticulous restoration of an historic bank
building in downtown Eastport, the Tides Institute is also building an extensive art collection related to the region.
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The C. F. Adams Charitable Trust provided capital support for the first phase of the restoration and transformation of an
historic Eastport bank building into the Tides Institute and assist with operating and development support.
"The C.F. Adams Charitable Trust has played a defining role in the launching of the Tides Institute & Museum of Art.
The Trust's support is helping to propel the Tides Institute to become a cultural institution of significance during the
most critical time of transition for the downeast region in a century. Through its wide ranging collaborative efforts,
both within the region and elsewhere, the Tides Institute has become a model of cultural development."
Hugh French, Director
The Tides Institute and Museum of Art
P.O. Box 161
Eastport, Maine 04631
http://www.tidesinstitute.org/
United Way of Eastern Maine: Energy Initiative
In fulfilling its mission to improve the lives of people in Eastern Maine by mobilizing the caring power of people and
communities, the United Way of Eastern Maine coordinates the Eastern Maine Funders' Energy Initiative. The Initiative
was started as a response to the high cost of home heating fuel in recent winters. Grant funds are used for weatherization
of homes, fuel assistance, furnace maintenance and community projects that help keep neighbors safe from the many challenges
of an Eastern Maine winter.
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The C. F. Adams Trust specifically targets weatherization and energy efficiency efforts in Washington County, as a participant
in the Eastern Main Funders Energy Initiative. Weatherized homes provide significant and long-term savings for the low income
homeowners and reduce energy consumption.
"The C. F. Adams Trust, with their mission to encourage Downeast Maine communities to work together, is a perfect partner
in our work to improve lives. Our energy initiative has resulted in low income families now having safer and more affordable
homes; in communities working together to ensure the safety and well being of neighbors, and in raising awareness that energy
conservation means a better future for all."
John Kuropchak, President
United Way of Eastern Maine
24 Springer Drive, Suite 201
Bangor, ME 04401-3621
Phone: (207) 941-2800
http://www.unitedwayem.org/
Washington County Community Caring Collaborative
With its focus on babies born with alcohol and substance exposure and babies born at risk due to size, teen mothers, exposure to trauma,
or medical issues, the Washington County Community Caring Collaborative was formed to bring partner organizations together to address
the needs of the babies and their families and to reduce the incidence of such births. Over 37 organizations, including both
Passamaquoddy Tribal Reservations, are sharing their expertise and resources to create a "wraparound system of care" for the
children and their families that addresses physical health, emotional and mental health, infant mental health, early intervention,
academic and behavioral development, parent training, domestic violence and substance abuse.
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The C. F. Adams Charitable Trust provided the first year of planning funds and is providing additional implementation support
to augment a 5-year federal grant awarded to the Collaborative. The Collaborative is a nationally recognized model of rural
organizations working together to deliver services and to provide professional training to service providers.
"The support of the Trust has been far more than financial. They have nurtured the program and taught us
about a process of development that has been essential to our collaborative and its success. C.F. Adams Charitable
Trust has invested both caring and expertise with its dollars. They are mentors to the programs they support and
encourage linkages between programs that inspire new meaningful relationships and the potential for combined programming.
We are enriched on all levels by their support and belief in our program."
Marjorie Withers, Program Director
Washington County Community Caring Collaborative
PO Box 7
Princeton, Maine 04668
Phone: (207) 796-5164
Youth Alternatives Ingraham – Linkage Project
Youth Alternatives Ingraham partners with communities and individuals to deliver a full spectrum of social services and mental health care
that begins prenatally and continues throughout the lifespan to advance healthier lives, happier families, and stronger communities.
The Linkage Project is a national model for increasing community awareness of the strong link between animal cruelty and human violence.
When there is animal cruelty in a home, chances are that a child or an elderly family member is being hurt too. Project leaders are
training human and animal welfare workers and law enforcement officers in Maine to work together to stop violence against people and pets.
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The C. F. Adams Charitable Trust supported the Linkage Project's outreach to Washington County and the formation of a committee in
the region. The committee's work has been folded into the Washington County Community Caring Collaborative. Its family assessment
tools include questions about the treatment of pets in the home to look for indicators of potential problems within the family.
"he trustees of the Adams Trust selected the Linkage Project as a grantee, but even more importantly, have provided technical assistance
regarding fundraising and collaboration and have an extensive knowledge of the helpful networks in Washington County. We have generally
found that a funder's commitment is monetary, but the C. F. Adams Trust is a very knowledgeable resource regarding project development and
implementation."
Sara Johnson, VP Development and Communications
Youth Alternatives Ingraham
Linkage Project
50 Lydia Lane
South Portland, Maine 04106
Phone: (207) 874-1175
http://www.linkageproject.org/
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