REGION — The Mahoosuc Land Trust recently received a $4,000 grant after finishing second in the 2021 Bangor Savings Bank Community Matters More program. Established in 2007 by the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation, the program looks at impactful nonprofits in New Hampshire and Maine communities and has residents of both states determine the winners by a public vote.

In the Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties, MLT got the second highest number of votes, second only to Tree Street Youth in Lewiston.

Director of Development and Habitat For All program at MLT, Barbara Murphy, said the grant will go toward construction of a viewing platform at the Valentine Farm. MLT is currently working on a design for the platform.

“The boardwalk and platform will allow visitors to have a great view of the stream and its water birds,” Murphy said.

MLT has also received money from the family of Frank Vogt, who donated money in memory of Vogt, a founding member of MLT who passed away in September of last year.

Voting took place the entire month of February.

Forty-four Maine and New Hampshire non-profits got grants this year, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Since its inaugural year, the program has handed out more than $1.5 million to over 500 non-profits in Maine and New Hampshire.

First place winners in each geographical region of Maine and New Hampshire got $5,000, runner-ups got $4,000, third place $3,000 and fourth place $1,000.