Dear Sun Spots: I am a member of a local ski mountain that is a nonprofit organization. The mountain has been in our community for many, many years. It has served many generations as a family-centered recreational spot for members of all ages. We are badly in need of outside funding in order to keep the mountain operational. I am curious about “in-kind” donations.

Currently we have Motorola two-way radios for mountain communication which is critically necessary, for mountain safety. Our radios are severely outdated and not always reliable. Do you have any suggestions of who I might contact and who might be interested in an in-kind donation of new or updated radios? Thank you for your help. – Carmen Hayford, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, have you considered applying for grants or at least researching them?

The New England Ski Museum grant program is open to individuals, organizations and educational institutions with an interest in snowsports, such as alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. Applicants may include, but are not limited to, competitive athletes, school programs, clubs, students, teachers, researchers, filmmakers and historians. Anyone who can demonstrate the need for funding for the purpose of educating, preserving snowsports history, encouraging participation or otherwise having an impact on snowsports is eligible.

Contact them at: New England Ski Museum, P.O. Box 267, Franconia, NH 03580-0267, (800) 639-4181 (US only) or (603) 823-7177 or via e-mail at [email protected] or on the Web at www.skimuseum.org.

Another possibility is the Libra Foundation in Portland. Grant applicants are asked to complete a two-page application in accordance with the foundation’s guidelines, both of which may be obtained from the foundation by contacting the executive assistant. Materials should be sufficiently complete to enable the foundation to weigh the merits of the request in comparison to others the foundation receives. Generally, the trustees do not meet with applicants; however, if questions arise, the trustees may wish to arrange a meeting.

Meetings of the trustees to consider grant requests are held quarterly in March, June, September and December. Applications may be submitted at any time, but must be received by Feb. 15, May 15, Aug. 15 and Nov. 15 to be considered

The foundation does not normally award grants to supplement annual campaigns for regular operations nor make multiple year gifts. Having made a grant to a charitable organization, the foundation does not generally make a subsequent grant for the same purpose. The foundation limits its grants to charitable organizations, activities, operations or purposes which take place only within the state of Maine. In most cases, grants will not exceed $25,000. Grants are not made to individuals, or for scholarships, fellowships or travel, or in the form of loans.

Please direct inquiries, requests for application forms, letters and grant requests to: Elizabeth C. Flaherty, Administrative Assistant, Three Canal Plaza, P.O. Box 17516, Portland, ME 04112, (207) 879-6280.

Dear Sun Spots: Just in time for the upcoming holidays, St. Peter and Sacred Heart School is selling gift cards. You purchase cards at face value and a percentage of that sale comes back to the school. Cards are available for businesses such as Shaw’s, Wal-Mart, L.L. Bean, Home Depot, Applebee’s, Starbucks and many more. Most cards are available at the school in Auburn. Special orders can be placed. If you would like to purchase, order or need more information please call the school office at 782-0721. We also collect Campbell’s soup labels and box tops for education that help us purchase equipment for our students. Thank you, column readers. – St. Peter and Sacred Heart School.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].