PORTLAND & ELLSWORTH — The Oxford County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation has announced the successful completion of its 15th anniversary campaign to increase its endowment for grantmaking. Thanks to a Betterment Fund $35,000 matching grant and a $15,000 matching grant from an Oxford County summer resident, the committee has added more than $100,000 to its endowment.

“The Betterment Fund challenge and a private match were key to this successful outcome,” said Maine Community Foundation President and CEO Meredith Jones. “The Oxford County Committee members were motivated by the match to reach out to their friends and neighbors.” A generous $5,000 contribution by Norway Savings Bank also helped them achieve their goal. The overall Oxford County Fund endowment now stands at nearly $600,000.

Over the past 15 years, the Oxford County Committee has awarded $359,164 in grants to more than 80 organizations. This year, the committee made grants totaling $30,567 to eight Oxford County projects. An additional $21,319 was provided through donor-advised funds. The committee is comprised of volunteer advisers who help the foundation build charitable resources for the county and make grant recommendations.

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