BRUNSWICK — The Alfred M. Senter Fund is a private charitable trust authorized to make grants to any public charity which provides a service in Maine and which meets the requirements of the trust documents.

The fund was established by Alfred Senter and it was his wish that public charities benefiting from this fund be involved in promoting the cultural, educational, environmental and general health and welfare of the inhabitants of the towns of Brunswick, Durham, Lisbon, Harpswell, Topsham, West Bath and the city of Bath.

The fund especially seeks to support charities for which small grants will make a significant difference. It does not normally award grants supporting annual operating budgets or to add to the endowment of other nonprofit organizations.

In 2012 grants were made to 34 charitable organizations selected from 69 applications. The total amount of these grants was $140,567.

The Fund Committee is soliciting requests for grants at this time with a requirement that grant applications be submitted by mail with an original and five copies and that they be received no later than Oct. 31, for the current calendar year.

Application forms may be obtained by contacting Senter Place Management Office, 725-6610, facsimile at 725-6612, e-mail [email protected] or by visiting www.senterplace.com.

Alfred Senter was the owner of the former Senter’s Department Store on Maine Street. The property today is Senter Place, which is occupied by a variety of businesses offering services to the public. The net income from Senter Place contributes to the funds in the Alfred M. Senter Fund from which the annual grants are made.