ELLSWORTH – The Western Mountains Committee of the Maine Community Foundation recently awarded $31,100 in grants to 10 nonprofits.

Among the funded programs is the Maine Voices listening project of the Maine Community Action Association. This statewide initiative seeks to eliminate poverty in Maine.

The project involves a symposium, which will educate and involve low-income residents in a group setting so that they may have access to support, skill development and knowledge in obtaining economic security.

Other grant awards went to:

Coastal Enterprises Inc., Wiscasset, to fund the Rim County Women’s Business Initiative, which provides entrepreneurship assistance to low-income women in seven counties.

Farmington Downtown Business and Professional Association, for the creation of a downtown map as part of an improvement initiative.

Foothills Arts Center, Farmington, for development of an interactive Web site to increase community participation and outreach.

Franklin County Children’s Task Force, Farmington, to enhance parent/child education programs.

Phillips Public Library, for its annual Library Awareness Day.

Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District, Dover-Foxcroft, to support the annual Central Region Envirothon.

Somerset Economic Development Corp., Skowhegan, to print and distribute a cultural heritage and recreation assets-based map and guide.

Stratton/Eustis Food Pantry, to provide for an increased number of needy families and seniors in the area.

The Kneading Conference, Bangor, for its second annual conference in Skowhegan, which will highlight progressive ideas on locally focused and environmentally sustainable bread production.

The Western Mountains Fund supports projects that build and strengthen communities in Franklin and Somerset counties. The next proposal deadline is May 15 (postmarked). Application and guidelines can be found at www.mainecf.org.

The Western Mountains Fund is built through donations from the community. Those who wish to donate to the fund should contact Ann Bartoo at 353-0600 or [email protected].

A statewide organization with offices in Ellsworth, Augusta and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation has been partnering with donors and nonprofits to strengthen Maine communities for 25 years. For more information, visit www.mainecf.org or call 1-877-700-6800.