ELLSWORTH – The Oxford County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation recently awarded $15,100 in grants to four Oxford County nonprofit organizations.

Among the funded programs is the Western Foothills Land Trust, to develop a six-kilometer system of multi-use trails on the Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway. The collaborative project will involve volunteers from SAD 17 and the town of Norway, among other groups, to eventually develop recreation and conservation programming to area residents.

Other grant awards went to:

Otisfield Community School, to support the community/school garden project, which will promote healthy communities and provide food security for low income persons.

Rape Education and Crisis Hotline, South Paris, to develop “Finding Your Heartsong: Becoming a Thriver,” a year-long program to support survivors of sexual assault.

The Progress Center Inc., Norway, to support a pilot project, Oxford Hills Food Cooperative, which will support farmers and local food producers.

The Oxford County Fund supports projects that build and strengthen communities in the county. A committee of local residents and business leaders reviews grants and makes recommendations twice a year. The next deadline for proposals is May 15. Application and guidelines can be found at www.mainecf.org.

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.