ELLSWORTH — The Maine Community Foundation’s Maine Charity Foundation Fund has awarded $82,500 to 11 nonprofit organizations that support community-based transportation programs, including changes in response to the pandemic and efforts to keep community members aged 60 and older socially connected during a time of physical distancing.

Grant recipients include:

SeniorsPlus, Lewiston, to help fund the Community Help Line, a critical resource in heightened demand during the pandemic: $6,000.

United Way of the Tri Valley Area, Farmington, to forge new collaboration among diverse stakeholders to create new and improved options for transportation, focused on older adults of limited financial means and utilizing volunteers in Franklin County, Livermore and Livermore Falls: $10,000.

Catholic Charities Maine, Portland, to maintain and expand SEARCH, a companionship and transportation program for older adults, into unserved rural areas to reduce social isolation and improve connection to community: $10,000.

Established in 1921, the Maine Charity Foundation Fund was the state’s first community foundation created to hold individual charitable funds and to distribute income from those funds. In 1993, the fund was transferred to the Maine Community Foundation, which continues the organization’s tradition of grantmaking.

The next deadline for applications is Sept. 15. For more details, visit mainecf.org or contact Director of Grantmaking Laura Lee at 207-761-2440 or [email protected].