Area residents meet new community foundation leader

Newly appointed Maine Community Foundation President and CEO Meredith Jones shares how "Good people doing good things" benefits our communities and state. Jones was honored at a reception in the home of Diana Dunn and Don Saunders.

BUCKFIELD — The new Maine Community Foundation president and CEO, Meredith Jones, was introduced to area town officials and residents at a reception Tuesday at the home of Diana Dunn and Don Saunders. About two dozen people attended the event.

Jones said, "The Maine Community Foundation is a testament of good people doing good things." She said that over the last 26 years its funds have grown from $10 to more than $200 million through more than 800 charitable funds and thousands of small contributions.

Jones said the foundation is best known for its 18 competitive grant programs. It provides financial management for nonprofit organizations. It also has statewide strategic initiatives for higher education, the environment, civic engagement and community economic development. It connects donors to causes they care about, she said.

Jones said the foundation is built on the concept of people helping other people to improve the quality of life in Maine. Its county and regional programs ensure that every community in Maine has permanent charitable resources. She reported that the Oxford County Fund has distributed more than $300,000, including the recent award to help fund the just completed foyer to the Swap Shop at the Buckfield-Sumner Transfer Station.

She said she was especially proud of the results it is having in helping nontraditional students get a college education. She said Maine has a large number of high school graduates who do not go to college, or drop out before they finish. It is this group that they are specifically targeting.

More information on the Maine Community Foundation can be found at www.mainecf.org.