AUGUSTA – In honor of the Maine Community Foundation’s 25th anniversary, the Western Mountains County Committee has made special $2,500 grants to two nonprofits in recognition of their work to strengthen community: Literacy Volunteers of Franklin and Somerset Counties and the Franklin County Community College Network.

Members of the Western Mountains Committee recommended the grants based on the significant contributions both organizations have made in the region to improve literacy and expand educational opportunities.

“Literacy Volunteers and the Franklin County Community College Network exemplify the Community Building Program at MaineCF, in particular its focus on supporting and promoting sustainable community networks,” said County Committee Chairman Bill Berry.

The committee also recognized six other nonprofits for their work in Somerset and Franklin Counties: Western Mountains Alliance; Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District; Stratton/Eustis Food Pantry; Franklin County Children’s Task Force; Healthy Community Coalition; and Maine Development Foundation.

A nonprofit in each of Maine’s 16 counties has received a 25th Anniversary Community Building Award, due to a grant from the Sandy River Charitable Foundation, which has supported MaineCF’s County and Regional Program for the past 10 years.

All 16 nonprofits will be considered for this year’s Noyce Award for Nonprofit Excellence, which will be presented at MaineCF’s “Inspiring Philanthropy” evening in Portland on Monday, Nov. 10.

A statewide organization with offices in Augusta, Ellsworth and Portland, the 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.