Instructor Kirsten Brown-Burbank is pictured with students in class at Mt. Abram High School.

Noyce Award goes to college network

ELLSWORTH – The Franklin County Community College Network is the winner of the Maine Community Foundation’s 2008 Noyce Award for Nonprofit Excellence.

The network was founded on the principle that to improve the region’s economic viability, residents need opportunities to develop marketable skills that lead to well-paying jobs.

“FCCCN’s ability to bring businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, agencies and state legislators together in a collaborative exchange is a powerful demonstration of community-building skills,” said Maine CF President Henry Schmelzer. With locations throughout Franklin County, the network offers training and educational programs that serve a broad range of interests and abilities and give community members a way to achieve their career goals.

The network was selected from among 16 nonprofits -one in each county -that were awarded special Maine Community Foundation 25th anniversary community-building grants earlier this month. Semifinalists for the Noyce Award included Aroostook Area Agency on Aging, Trekkers, Community Wellness Coalition and St. Mary’s Health System.

The Noyce Award honors philanthropist Elizabeth Noyce (1930-1996), who was dedicated to supporting the health and development of Maine nonprofits.

A statewide organization with offices in Ellsworth, Augusta and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation has been partnering with donors and community groups to strengthen Maine communities for 25 years. To learn more, visit www.mainecf.org.