CAST YOUR BALLOT FOR THIS YEAR’S DOWNHILL 24 OUTDOOR FUND NOMINEES
7/1/24 to 7/31/24
You must be a Maine resident to vote. Click here for rules & regulations.
❉ STEP 1: GET TO KNOW THE NOMINEES
The organizations below were self-nominated during our application window in early June, to help fund initiatives that will help them get children in their community outside, active, and having fun.
By voting, you directly influence these organizations and the children they support. Your vote could mean more funds for increased access to healthy outdoor activities.
Get familiar with our nominees and make the most of your impact by voting in all three categories: schools, parks & rec, and nonprofits!
INTERACTIVE NOMINEE LIST:
Tap the name of each organization listed below to learn more about them and how they would use a grant from the WinterKids Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund to get children outside and active.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Androscoggin County
↳ Oak Hill, Gray New Gloucester, and Lisbon High Schools and Middle Schools
Oak Hill, Gray New Gloucester, and Lisbon High Schools and Middle Schools
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Wales, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Our PE program at Oak Hill has reached out to schools in Lisbon and Gray New Gloucester to work together to go to Lost Valley Mountain for a day for all of our students. Our Schools serve over 3000 students in Cumberland and Androscoggin Counties.
❉ Intended use of funds: Our 3 combined schools systems would rent Lost Valley for a mid-week day in February or March to have our students ski. We would offer lessons to newbies, and tubing for those wanting to try something else, and have rentals for those that need it. Your funding would allow the Lost Valley staff to open up the whole park for us. Each level of athlete would get a chance to shine and have a great day out on the slopes. We have coordinated this effort to maximize the ability for all our students to get a chance to have this experience. Lost Valley is the perfect place for people to learn and tune up their skills and it is close enough so that students could go back on their own time because they had so much fun.
LETS PACK THE MOUNTAIN!!
❉ About: We are 3 community based public schools systems. Our Physical Education programs all have various ways of connecting to the community, Parent and Community nights, field trips to local activity places and active leader class guests. We build confidince in challenging areas and look to build confidence through success in many life-time pursuits.
Website: https://www.oakhillhigh.info/
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Cumberland County
↳ Brown School Skates
Brown School Skates
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: South Portland, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve children in 2nd-4th grades and their families at Brown Elementary School in South Portland, Maine.
❉ Intended use of funds: Our minimum operating budget of $4,000 keeps our groups fed, clothed, and in quality ice skates. It also pays for transportation and passes to local skating rinks, which are becoming more and more necessary every year as our pond ice is less reliable. We’d like to be able to provide regular skating or skating-adjacent opportunities regardless of the weather, and that requires money for field trips to local arenas. The award from this grant could help us pay for the important infrastructure to make this program easier to manage in the years to come (off-season storage, easy-to-access in-season storage, reusable equipment for serving food & warm drinks, and a closet of warm clothes).
❉ About: The Brown School Ice Skating Club is the only program of its kind in Maine offering free professional group lessons from a former competitive and professional figure skater and equitable access to ice skating space, donated skates, and equipment. This program promotes opportunities for outdoor and indoor ice skating; a sport that is often expensive and inaccessible to many families. We foster healthy and fun exercise through both on and off ice training, nurture meaningful relationships, and offer students an opportunity to discover talents and interests together that they may never have the chance to explore outside of school. Participation in this seasonal activity will support a growth mindset, build self-confidence, nurture friendships, break barriers in our community and create a sense of belonging. We believe that all children should have opportunities to take safe risks and challenge themselves to try new things while staying connected and grounded to nature.A group of teachers and community volunteers provide free afternoon skating lessons and winter fun including snow activities, hot chocolate, and outdoor games that improve their balance, strength, confidence, resilience, and community. We skate at Mill Creek Pond a short walk from our school, as well as special field trips to [Entry limit reached]
Instagram: @brownschoolskates
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Hancock County
↳ Mount Desert Island Regional School System - AOS 91
Mount Desert Island Regional School System - AOS 91
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Bar Harbor, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve students in the elementary and secondary grades in the towns of Bar Harbor, Trenton, Northeast Harbor, Tremont, and Southwest Harbor as well as the outer islands (Cranberries, Frenchboro and Swan’s).
❉ Intended use of funds: MDIRSS will use the Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund grant to create a gear library for outdoor education programs across the school district. The gear library will reduce barriers and increase access to the outdoors for our students and community. A significant barrier to participation in outdoor activities is the cost of acquiring appropriate equipment. Hiking and camping gear such as sleeping bags, tents, camping stoves, and hiking footwear are some of the top items that families and students are in need of. Participants in our outdoor programs will be able to borrow the gear they need for the duration of the program. The Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund grant will reduce a significant barrier to participation in our outdoor programs and will allow more young people to connect with the outdoors for years to come.
❉ About: All MDIRSS students have the opportunity to receive high-quality instruction and to pursue a personally challenging and rigorous K-12 educational program. The natural environment and community resources unique to our school district provide opportunities for important learning outside of the classroom. Some of the outdoor education programs in our schools include the Outdoor Club at Conners Emerson School, outdoor education classes at MDI High School, as well as field trips ranging from day hikes in Acadia National Park and local public lands to overnight trips such as whitewater rafting, backpacking, and family camping trips. Our outdoor programs provide students with opportunities to gain social and emotional learning, belonging and community in the outdoors, and a sense of responsibility for the environment.
Website: https://www.mdirss.net/
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↳ Tremont Consolidated School
Tremont Consolidated School
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Bass Harbor, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve approximately 140 students in grades PreK-8th grade in the Tremont, Bass Harbor community on Mt. Desert Island.
❉ Intended use of funds: This grant will helps us to introduce, support, encourage children to participate in a variety of outdoor activities.
We will collaborate with partners such as local organizations, parks, recreation centers, and outdoor education providers to enhance the range of activities and resources available to our students. This will help us to
implement and organize a variety of outdoor programs, such as nature exploration, sports, adventure activities, environmental education, and creative arts in outdoor settings.
Several ways we hope to use the grant funds are:
-Field trips to local parks, botanical gardens, or nature reserves for guided tours and hands-on learning experiences.
-Adventure activities such as rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, biking, snowshoeing, and fishing.
-Outdoor art classes where children can draw, paint, and create using natural materials.
-Overnight camping excursions to teach children outdoor skills, survival techniques, and teamwork.
-STEM support outdoor science experiments, observations, or astronomy nights.
❉ About: We serve our community in various ways, focusing on different aspects to address the diverse needs of our students and families. We provide quality education from PreK through 8th grade, ensuring students acquire fundamental knowledge and skills. This includes special education services with tailored programs and support for students with special needs. Social development that focuses on character and social skills to foster a positive school climate and community where people treat each other kindly; teaching values such as respect, responsibility, and citizenship.
We facilitate a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, music, and clubs, to support holistic development.
Our school provides nutritious meals through breakfast and lunch programs and snacks, ensuring that students have access to healthy food. We offer health services such as school nurses, vaccinations, and health screenings and provide counseling and mental health support to students in need. In addition, we encourage parent and family involvement through our parent-teacher organization (PTO), volunteer opportunities, and family events. Our school also hosts cultural events, performances, and exhibitions that are open to the public, enriching the community’s cultural life. Our community members are able to use our school facilities for meetings, events, and recreational activities as well.
Website: https://www.tremontconsolidated.org/
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Lincoln County
↳ Great Salt Bay School
Great Salt Bay School
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Damariscotta, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve prek-8th grade students.
❉ Intended use of funds: We would use the funds to enhance our outdated playground incorporating more ability friendly equipment. We would also use the funds to purchase additional snow shoes for our middle schoolers to be able to go on our extensive hiking trails throughout our woods.
As I teach all prek – 2 how to ride bikes I would ultimately like to purchase 8 fat tire bikes as well to extend the program into the higher grades.
❉ About: We are the elementary school for 5 towns. We teach biking, snowshoeing, we farm, grow vegetables to eat and bring to the community. We also have a partnership with a food bank and kitchen where we prepare food for others. We make and maintain a trail system that benefits the community as they may use the extensive trails.
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Oxford County
↳ Dirigo Elementary School
Dirigo Elementary School
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Peru, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Students pre-k through 5th grade in the towns of Dixfield, Canton and Carthage, Maine
❉ Intended use of funds: The winter months in Maine can be very long and cold! A majority of the students we serve do not have appropriate outdoor clothing or the opportunity to get involved in outdoor activities. Our school campus has trails and hills that are perfect for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. The equipment we currently have at the school is very old and falling apart.The money would be used to replace that winter gear. Showing kids ways to stay active in the winter can build life long habits. I would like to buy pedometers for them to use during our winter hiking unit also.
❉ About: Educating the students of RSU56
Website: https://www.rsu56.org/o/dirigo-es
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063656887594
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Penobscot County
↳ Ridge View Community School
Ridge View Community School
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Dexter, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We are a PreK-8 public school serving students from Dexter, Exeter, Ripley and Garland.
❉ Intended use of funds: We would use the grant money to take advantage of the Learn to Ski Program offered by the Friends of Big Moose Mountain in Greenville. The funding would help pay for the ski lessons, as well as transportation to and from Greenville from Dexter.
❉ About: We are a public school dedicated to meeting the academic, physical, and social-emotional needs of our students. We strive to prepare our students for the future and all that Maine and beyond has to offer.
Website: https://www.aos94.org/schools/rvcs/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RVCS.Tigers
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Piscataquis County
↳ Piscataquis Community Secondary School
Piscataquis Community Secondary School
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Guilford, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Students in Grades 7-12
❉ Intended use of funds: Piscataquis Community Secondary just started offering an Outdoor Education class this year and was a huge success. 44 students are signed up to take the class next year. Our 7th and 8th graders learn to downhill ski every winter, and we also have a HS ski club. Our school could really use the money to help with the cost of these outdoor opportunities.
❉ About: PCSS is a 7-12 school in Piscataquis County in Guilford, Maine. Piscataquis County is one of the poorest counties in the state.
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Sagadahoc County
↳ Marcia Buker Elementary School
Marcia Buker Elementary School
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Richmond, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Marcia Buker School serves about 200 students, ranging from Pre-K to 5th grade.
❉ Intended use of funds: Our playground equipment is in need of an upgrade, including an accessible swing. This would help students develop their motor skills and give them an opportunity to have more equipment to play with every day. On most days, students have at least two recesses, and having more options as well as safe equipment is the ultimate goal. This grant could also help us with a new program we will be implementing which is a Learn to Bike program for Pre-K and Kindergarten students. We need to purchase bikes and helmets and this grant could help with that.
❉ About: Marcia Buker provides education to all of our students. Our physical education program recently started providing snow shoeing lessons during the winter. We participated in the WinterKids Winter Games Play Along Track which provided students with tools and resources while learning outdoors. Our first grade students participate in Forest Friday which allows students to use their imagination outdoors while learning and building unique items.
The school allows the Richmond Recreation Department to use our building and grounds for the kids.
Marcia Buker also provides meals to families in need throughout the school year with our Backpack Program.
We donate Thanksgiving meal baskets and Christmas gifts to families in need each year.
❉ Website: https://www.richmondpk12.org/o/mbes
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↳ Woodside Elementary School
Woodside Elementary School
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Topsham, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve children aged 4-12 in Sagadahoc County.
❉ Intended use of funds: As a K-5 public school that values outdoor learning, place-based education, and practical hands on opportunities for student to learn, we’ve partnered with our PTO to initiate a small scale Maple Syrup production program that had participation from about 40 students. If awarded the grant, we would use the funds to purchase additional / upgraded materials to help expand our reach, make outdoor access to our maple trees easier for more students K-5, and include options for neighbors to the school to partner with us to collect and process neighborhood sap. One area we are particularly interested in is creating an off-shoot from our loop trail at the school to go deeper into the woods so we can map locations for more tree taps. We imagine that access to snow shoes and other outdoor exploration equipment will help us. We’d like to expand this program to all 320 enrolled students.
❉ About: As a public school that values outdoor learning, place based education, and practical hands on opportunities for student to learn, we’ve partnered with our PTO to initiate a small scale Maple Syrup production program. If awarded the grant, we would use the funds to purchase additional / upgraded materials to help expand our reach, make outdoor access to our maple trees easier for more students, and include options for neighbors to the school to partner with us to collect and process neighborhood sap.
Website: https://www.wes.link75.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063614560726
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Waldo County
↳ Leroy H. Smith School
Leroy H. Smith School
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Winterport, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Leroy H. Smith School serves students in grades Pre-K to 4 from the towns of Winterport and Frankfort, Maine.
❉ Intended use of funds: We recently started a new morning fitness program for our students called “BEE-FIT!” (Our mascot is the bee!). This program gives students 15-20 minutes of fun fitness to start their day. Our hope is to expand this program next year to incorporate a variety of movement activities and help students learn more about different options for staying active. We hope to have some new equipment such as agility ladders, cordless jump ropes, or even some new fitness inspired playground equipment!
Students have loved our morning BEE-FIT program and over 75% of students participated! Some students who were frequently tardy to school were even motivated and excited about school when they knew it was a BEE-FIT day. We hope to expand the program to introduce new activities and invite guests from the community to help lead some of the fun fitness activities both inside and out!
❉ About: The staff at Smith school work hard to build strong connections in the community by fostering positive relationships between the school/classroom and families. Smith school hosts several events throughout the year encouraging family involvement and participation. We help our students develop a love of learning and find ways to include community members in this learning as well. We know the importance and value of helping students learn from each other as well as other people who live and work in our community. We hope students can share some of the fun activities they learn with their families at home.
Website: https://smith.rsu22.us/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smithschoolwinterportfrankfort
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Washington County
↳ Edmunds Consolidated School
Edmunds Consolidated School
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Edmunds, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Our school serves children (Pre-K – 8th grade) from 6 towns in Washington County, Maine. Our location is rich in natural beauty and vast spaces, but the greater economic challenges of the region place limitations on activities. The school is the gathering space and heart of the community.
❉ Intended use of funds: If our organization (school) were to be selected for the WinterKids Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund Grant, we would embrace the community as a whole. Children want to be outside when they are participating in activities that are of interest, so I would offer a short survey to collect the data and utilize this information to best fit interest/needs. This means we would offer activities/structures that are inclusive and accessible. Our school is the heart of our community, a safe space, learning environment, milestone creator, among so much more. We are surrounded by natural beauty and this grant would help us create many more outside opportunities that would embrace all the four seasons.
❉ About: Our organization serves the community in educating the youth academically and in social/emotional learning. Students grow in responsibility, tenacity, and grit while spending time at ECS. Additionally, we offer opportunities for outreach to families in evening and after school events. The network of community is further strengthened by interactions between students and local historians, artists, and leaders. With a focus on community service, our students work together to create and deliver cards, gifts, and love to the elderly and homebound on holidays and special occasions. Being a part of a small school means the staff, administration, and students work closely with families and neighbors to improve the community as well. Students participate in beach cleanups, trail work, cemetery maintenance, and picking up litter as volunteers. Finally, we also serve as a gathering place for family reunions, funerals, fundraisers, and birthday parties. ECS plays a vital role in the community, and teaching children the joy of serving others perpetuates this for future generations.
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York County
↳ HB Emery Jr. Elementary School
HB Emery Jr. Elementary School
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Limington, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We are a PreK-Fifth grade elementary school serving about 200 kids from Limington, Maine. We are lucky to have woods behind our school and a wonderful sledding hill that the students use during recess. Our students don’t always have the opportunity to spend time outside when they go home from school. I’d love to enable more access to our wonderful Maine winters.
❉ Intended use of funds: Our School Counselor will use these funds to incorporate Outdoor Education into her Social-Emotional Learning lessons each month. She aims to get every grade outside each month, including the winter months, to practice self-regulation and engage in team-building activities. It will be hugely empowering to students when they learn how to prepare for extended time outside in winter weather, and to learn new skills or sports that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do in the snow! We have a swath of forest behind our school and we would like to revamp the trail system for snowshoeing and animal tracking. We would be able to buy snowshoes of all required sizes and more sleds for recess fun! Please help make this goal a reality for our School Counselor at HB Emery, so she can make every student comfortable outside this winter!
❉ About: We are a public school, so all of the elementary aged students come to us for six years! We are a close community and our students have friendships and mentorships across the grade-levels. They love playing outside during the winter when we have snow on the playground. We have snow pants, coats, and boots so everyone can be comfortable outside. We have some sleds but they get a lot of use. We have some snowshoes but not enough to serve a whole class for an Outdoor Education lesson. We see many of our students for their entire elementary school career, but we also have many move in and join us at any age in their journey through elementary school. We would like our students to feel empowered to spend time outside during the winter, rather than being stuck indoors in front of a screen! As Mainers, it’s important to teach kids how to prepare to spend time outside and give them opportunities to find activities that they enjoy outside during the winter.
Website: https://hbe.bonnyeagle.org/en-US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSAD6hbemery/
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↳ Noble Middle School
Noble Middle School
MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
❉ Located in: Berwick, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve 500+ students within 6th and 7th grade between the towns of Berwick, North Berwick, and Lebanon.
❉ Intended use of funds: Noble Middle School services close to 350 students in physical education each year. In addition to the general PE class, NMS PE teachers also host activity clubs and extracurricular events during the school day. With the WinterKids D24 funding, NMS would purchase the following equipment: skateboards, cross country skis, sleds, archery resources, and additional outdoor supplies. In addition to equipment, we would also like to take PE students hiking, skating, and fishing. With these trips, comes the cost of transportation. We look forward to giving students a dynamic outdoor experience beyond the 4 walls in the gym!
❉ About: The Noble Middle School Physical Education program offers outdoor activities such as skateboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, trail walking and additional outdoor field trips to students enrolled in PE during the fall, winter and spring months. We hope to extend our outdoor opportunities with additional funding for equipment and transportation costs.
Website: https://www.nms.rsu60.org/
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PARKS & REC
Aroostook County
↳ Easton Recreation Department
Easton Recreation Department
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Easton, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Ages 2-99 in central Aroostook County
❉ Intended use of funds: Primarily to assist children with funding downhill ski program. We already work with local mountain to provide “ski for life” rates that include lesson, rental equipment and lessons. However, cost is still a barrier to many families. Living in northern Maine we feel all children should have a chance to experience the thrill of the chair lift and the wind on their face while descending.
Our community also is finishing a LWCF Park Project. The project was started in 2019 and costs have increased dramatically. A new playground has already been installed and is seeing much use. Also built new pavilion with bathrooms and kitchenette, a berm. Funds are needed to finish ground work and order benches, picnic tables, etc.
❉ About: We are a small town, with an extremely active recreation department, that offers a plethora of activities for our residents to try. The entire program is overseen by one full-time staff member from our playgroup program through senior citizens. Providing opportunities for our residents to try many new programs, and find a way to stay active and healthy.
Website: https://eastonme.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/easton.recreation/
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Cumberland County
↳ Bridgton Recreation Department
Town of Bridgton Recreation Department
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Bridgton, Maine
❉ Who they serve: The Bridgton Recreation Department serves the residents of Bridgton, Maine, and surrounding communities. It aims to provide a variety of recreational programs, activities, and facilities for people of all ages. These services include sports leagues, fitness programs, community events, and maintenance of parks and recreational areas. The goal of the department is to enhance the quality of life for the community by promoting health, wellness, and community engagement through accessible and diverse recreational opportunities.The Bridgton Recreation Department serves the community of Bridgton and its surrounding communities
❉ Intended use of funds: The Bridgton Recreation Department will introduce paddle boards and build on our kayaking activities in the summer to enhance our youth programming. With these new additions, we will offer structured water sports sessions for up to 125 different children, focusing on water safety, paddling techniques, and environmental stewardship.
Children will participate in paddle board and kayak programming on Bridgton’s many lakes, fostering confidence and physical fitness. We will organize group paddling adventures, encouraging teamwork and social interaction. Additionally, eco-tours will be conducted, teaching children about local ecosystems and the importance of conservation. These activities will not only promote outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles but also help children develop a lifelong appreciation for water sports and the natural environment. By incorporating paddle boards and kayaks, we aim to create memorable experiences that build skills, foster friendships, and instill a love for the great outdoors.
❉ About: The Bridgton Recreation Department serves the community in numerous ways, providing a wide range of programs, activities, and facilities designed to enhance the quality of life for residents. Here are the various ways they serve the community:
Youth Programs
1. Sports Leagues and Clinics: Offering organized sports leagues and clinics for children and teens, including soccer, basketball, baseball, and more, to promote physical activity and teamwork.
2. Summer Camps: Providing structured summer camps that offer a mix of recreational, educational, and social activities to keep children engaged during school vacations.
3. After-School Enrichment Programs: Hosting after-school programs that offer a safe and supportive environment for children to engage in various recreational activities and homework help.
Adult Programs
1. Fitness Classes: Offering fitness classes such as yoga, aerobics, and strength training to help adults maintain a healthy lifestyle.
2. Sports Leagues: Organizing adult sports leagues, including softball, volleyball, and basketball, to foster community spirit and physical activity.
Senior Programs
1. Exercise Programs: Tailoring exercise programs specifically for seniors, including low-impact aerobics, stretching, and balance exercises.
2. Social Events: Organizing social events such as bingo, card games, and group outings to encourage social interaction and prevent isolation.
Community Events
1. Festivals and [entry limit reached]
Website: https://bridgtonmaine.org/bridgton-recreation/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgtonRecreation
Instagram: @bridgtonmerec
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↳ Cape Elizabeth Community Services
Cape Elizabeth Community Services
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Cape Elizabeth, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve children ages 1 and up in Cape Elizabeth and the surrounding communities.
❉ Intended use of funds: With the generous support of this grant, we aim to expand our ice skating and hockey programs.
Skating and ice hockey are sports that resonate deeply with our community, yet access to necessary equipment can be a barrier for many aspiring young athletes. With your support, we aim to overcome this obstacle by expanding our inventory of equipment, ensuring that all participants have access to safe and reliable gear.
The requested grant funds will be utilized to acquire essential equipment, including but not limited to:
- Helmets
- Skates
- Sticks
- Protective gear (e.g., shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards)
- Goalie equipment
- Pucks and other training aids
By providing access to quality equipment, we aim to enhance the overall experience of our ice hockey program, increase participation rates, and foster a supportive environment where young athletes can thrive both on and off the ice.
❉ About: Cape Elizabeth Community Services is committed to developing youth in our community through a range of programs designed to keep them active and foster their love of the outdoors. We offer instructor and volunteer-led programs ranging from X-Country running to Hike Club and Cycling Club and recently with the installation of the Cape Community Arena Ice Rink, ice skating and hockey programs.
Website: https://www.capecommunityservices.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KEEPINGCAPEACTIVE
Instagram: @keepingcapeactive
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↳ Falmouth Community Programs
Falmouth Community Programs
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Falmouth, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We offer residents of all ages quality cultural, educational, and fitness activities, including outdoor adventure, field trips, and indoor programming to meet the recreational interests and needs of our growing community.
❉ Intended use of funds: We would like to purchase equipment such as snow shoes and ice skates as well as items such as gaiters, compasses, and walking poles to incorporate into our youth programming. We work closely with the Falmouth Land Trust and would share the equipment with them to get more families outside in all seasons. Additional funds would be used to help children attend programs that need financial assistance as well as expand our programming for children and families.
❉ About: We offer a multitude of programming, in conjunction with the Falmouth Land Trust, teaching the community about stewardship, land use and encouraging residents to use our trails and parks in all seasons. Programs such as afterschool youth programs, Early Release seminars, school vacation trips, summer camps, overnight whitewater rafting adventures as well as Senior Outdoor Adventures in Recreation (S.O.A.R), Family Moonlight snowshoe hikes, and a multitude of seasonal hikes and informational walks get the public into new spaces they may not be aware that are right in their backyard.
Website: https://www.falmouthme.org/parks-and-community-programs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064854123672
Instagram: @falmouthparksandprograms
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↳ Gorham Parks and Recreation
Gorham Parks and Recreation
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Gorham, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Gorham Recreation serves community members of all ages in and around the Town of Gorham. We offer recreation and leisure programs, youth sports, large community events, senior trips, and child care and camps. Our tag line is “All Ages, All Seasons.”
❉ Intended use of funds: The WinterKids Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund grant would go towards a few different outdoor activities. During the summer, we offer a Summer Adventure Camp. This camp offers unique outdoor adventures all in a small group setting. We take kids surfing, hiking, and rock climbing and paddling on the ocean. The fund would help to expand on our trip offerings and provide kids with outdoor gear that they may need when outside. Additionally, we have hopes of getting a Teen’s to Trails program off the ground this coming fall. This program would be offered to middle schoolers as an after school program and potentially on professional development and early release days. Funds would go towards fall trips, staffing and proper gear for kids and staff. Finally, the fund would support group hiking/nature trips offered as a onetime program.
❉ About: Gorham Parks and Recreation offers affordable recreation opportunities for community members. We provide a friendly environment for people to try new activities and be active in their community. We maintain indoor and outdoor recreation facilities that can host a variety of sports and activities. Our department continually adds new programming to meet public needs and interests.
Website: https://gorhamme.myrec.com/info/default.aspx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GorhamRec/
Instagram: @gorhamrecdept
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↳ Gray/New Gloucester Recreation Department
Gray/New Gloucester Recreation Department
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Gray, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve pre-kindergarten children through high school. We also serve adults in the community, with an enhanced focus on our older adult population.
❉ Intended use of funds: We would use the funds to charter transportation to a ski mountain for early release days for local middle school and high school students. We have a learn to ski program partnership with a small local ski partner that parents must provide transportation to. We haven’t been able to offer a program for intermediate skiers/riders that are looking for the next level due to transportation challenges. We’re hoping to prove this program would be viable so we can continue it into the future.
❉ About: We provide recreational opportunities like youth sports, special events, before/after school programs, summer camps, exercise programs, meals, social activities, and more!
Website: https://www.gngrec.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grayparksrecreation/
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↳ South Portland Parks, Recreation and Waterfront
City of South Portland Parks, Recreation and Waterfront
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: South Portland, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve the entire South Portland community and people visiting from surrounding areas. We work with everyone from young kids to seniors. Everyone is welcome!
❉ Intended use of funds: We are planning on running our first middle/high school winter ski and snowboard program at Pleasant Mountain to give kids the opportunity to get outside and get active during the winter. We will take participants on 5 weekly ski trips after school where they can learn how to ski/board, refresh their skills, or just get out there and enjoy being on the mountain with their friends. The grant award would go towards subsidizing the cost of the trip for all participants, to help make the program more affordable for everyone.
❉ About: We offer recreational programming to help people become actively involved in our community whether that be through taking care of their health, trying new hobbies, joining a team, attending a community event, or learning about nature. Our goal is to give every person a chance to reap all the physical, mental, and social benefits that come from leisure and to offer safe, welcoming third spaces where community members can spend time.
Website: https://www.southportland.gov/285/Parks-Recreation-Waterfront
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sopoparksrec/
Instagram: @sopoparksrec
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↳ Westbrook Community Services
Westbrook Community Services
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Westbrook, Maine
❉ Who they serve: The Westbrook Community Center, which first opened on May 3, 2010, is a 97,000-square foot multi-purpose facility that serves residents of Westbrook and all surrounding communities by providing recreational, educational, social, and experiential programs for all age groups. Through collaboration, partnerships, and working together, we offer an array of community services and activities that help constituents find and access resources and programs that enrich their lives. Our goal is to promote self-sufficiency, foster health and well-being, and provide a safe and welcoming place for our community to gather.
❉ Intended use of funds: If selected for an award, Westbrook Community Services would utilize funds to enhance our existing outdoor youth programs, including our Westbrook Explorers program – which takes middle school-aged children on weekly hikes on local trails throughout Southern Maine, and our Ski & Snowboard Club, and activate additional programs such as ice skating at the East Bridge Street Rink, cross country skiing at nearby Riverside Golf Course, street hockey and broomball at the Cornelia Warren SportCourt, and other outdoor recreational initiatives.
Our goal is to provide opportunities at everyday affordability. Some funds would be used to cover the cost of outside instructors and rental fees, some for expenses of equipment, such as a storage trailer for ski and snowboard equipment, hiking poles, and broomball gear, but a good portion would be used to offset registration costs in order to keep them minimal or nothing at all.
Thank you for your consideration!
❉ About: Westbrook Community Services and the Westbrook Community Center provide programming, activities, and events for persons of all ages, infant through senior. Our facility features an indoor pool, gymnasium, batting cages, Veterans’ Services office, fitness room, massage studio, community kitchen, large dining room, historical society museum, dance studio, food pantry, re-sale thrift store, fiber arts room, children’s wing for before- and after-school programming, conference rooms, several classrooms, and the popular Bridge StrEAT Food Truck Park. We also manage playgrounds, parks, and athletic fields throughout the city. Our 25-passenger bus allows us to offer trips and off-site experiences for youth, seniors, and veterans.
Website: https://www.WestbrookCommunityCenter.org
Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/WestbrookCommunityCenter
Instagram: @WestbrookCommunityCenterNews
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Franklin County
↳ Eustis/Stratton Recreation Department
Eustis/Stratton Recreation Department
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Stratton, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Town of Eustis, Village of Stratton, Coplin Plantation and unorganized territories of Coburn Gore, Alder Steam and Jim Pond
❉ Intended use of funds: The national shortage of lifeguards has affected our community. Due to the lack of lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors (WSIs) our area has not been able to offer swim lessons for the last few years. We live along a major fast-moving river and on Flagstaff Lake. Due to our vicinity to open water, our youths hang out at family camps, their friends’ camps and public beaches often. The lack of swimming lessons, along with any water safety classes, has left our kids more vulnerable to danger. I believe the strongest way to diminish this risk is to create these programs.
We would use the money to train WSIs and purchase lifejackets, safety equipment and learning tools to create a strong swim lesson and water safety program. We would offer, both programs, to all of our local and summer camp kids and continue the lessons as they continue to grow.
❉ About: In the recent months, the Eustis/Stratton Parks & Recreation Department has become full-time and year-round for the first time. We will be facilitating an outdoor based summer camp, after school programming, which will also include outdoor recreation, and several standalone programs throughout the year. The department is also in charge of use, maintenance and new development at our local public park, Blanchard Park.
We are excited to be able to create outdoor programs year-round for all ages.
Website: https://eustismaine.org/departments/summer-rec/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093028837438
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Kennebec County
↳ Belgrade Recreation
Belgrade Recreation
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Belgrade, Maine
❉ Who they serve: The Center for All Seasons is not only the name of our facility, but it is a metaphor for the populations we serve. “All Seasons” is relating to people at all stages of life and we strive to offer programming for all ages of our residents and non-residents alike.
❉ Intended use of funds: We would use the funds to purchase snowshoeing equipment for our after-school program and our vacation camps. We are located on Great Pond in Belgarde, Maine and would love for our kiddos to be able to get out on the ice and explore. With snowshoes we would be able to take nature walks around our facility. This would also allow us to take our participants across the road to the Belgrade Lakes Golf Club and snowshoe on the cart paths as they are open to the public. Many of the children in our after-school program do not participate in any winter sports or outdoor activities. This would allow them to get past the building of snow forts and snow sculptures and get them immersed in winter right in their own backyard. As a kid I had the winter passport book, on weekends I am now a snowboard coach, it works.
❉ About: Our department offers daily, reasonably priced, programs year-round for all ages. During the summer we are busy hosting “Camp Golden Pond”, our summer camp for K-6th grade children, our Summer Concert Series, and Village Green Craft Fair Series. The events that happen at our village green draw in folks of all ages and are the pulse of the community in the warmer months.
During the school year we offer fitness classes, yoga, pickleball, and a walking group. These programs bring our aging population together for physical activity, but more importantly socialization and personal connection. A couple other programs for our aging population are coffee and conversation, knit nights and backgammon nights. We also have a very consistent after school program that allows kids to get exercise, finish homework, complete crafts and play with their peers.
We do our best to make our programs affordable. Our residents pay $85 per week to attend summer camp and non-residents pay only $135. This helps remove a barrier and gives all residents a chance to enjoy our program.
We also have our senior trips to the Fryeburg Fair and the Botanical Gardens, our Halloween Dance, our Harvest Fest, and the Holiday Stroll.
Website: https://www.townofbelgrade.com/recreation
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belgraderecreation/
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↳ Quarry Road Trails
Quarry Road Trails
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Waterville, Maine
❉ Who they serve: The 75′ vertical rope tow ski hill offers a learn to ski program for area grade students, afterschool night skiing, and free community ski events to over three hundred skiers and riders annually.
❉ Intended use of funds: The rope tow ski hill at Quarry Road Trails is ready to grow to new heights and provide even more opportunities for winter recreation. This grant will help support an expansion project to double the current size of the rope tow hill, adding more skiable terrain for K-12 program participants, pass holders, and visitors of all ages. The grant will help extend the rope tow and add additional snowmaking infrastructure. These upgrades will grow the vertical terrain from 75′ to 150′, expand skiable area from 1 – 2 acres, and help us push the season out to 50 days and school nights of operation for next winter. The newly improved hill will provide even more space for beginners and create new space for developing skiers and riders. Vote for Quarry Road Trails today to help get more kids on snow this winter!
❉ About: Quarry Road Trails is Waterville’s largest park and offers a variety of year-round recreation opportunities for Central Maine youth. In the winter, Quarry Road Trails maintains 11km of trails for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing, and since 2022, operates a small rope tow hill for downhill skiing and snowboarding.
Website: https://www.quarryroad.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuarryRoadTrails
Instagram: @quarryroadtrails
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Knox County
↳ Camden Parks and Recreation
Camden Parks and Recreation
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Camden, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We offer parks and recreational opportunities to all ages.
❉ Intended use of funds: Ragged Mountain Recreation Area, home of the Camden Snow Bowl and Parks and Recreation Department offices, provides space for a bevy of outdoor activities. From mountain biking and hiking to tennis and pickle ball, a sports field and a small-boat launch into Hosmer Pond, and one of a few in Maine, handicap accessible kayak/canoe launch, Ragged Mountain is a great place for family fun and outdoor recreation at your own pace.
❉ About: We host summer camp for children ages 7-13, we hold events/activities for all ages and we collaborate with many partners in the community.
Website: https://camdenparksandrec.com/
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Penobscot County
↳ Hermon Parks & Recreation
Hermon Parks & Recreation
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Hermon, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Our organization serves children as young as 3, all the way up to Senior citizens in the Town of Hermon as well as our neighboring towns Carmel and Levant.
❉ Intended use of funds: Hermon Recreation has continuously served one of the fastest growing communities in the State of Maine per capita. This grant will help us properly provide for the increasing number of participants we have in every single one of our programs as well as assist with costs for updating our outdoor facilities including our playground and sports fields.
❉ About: The Hermon Recreation Department provides enrichment opportunities including full season sports, camps, and clinics, social programs for senior citizens, adult fitness and education programs, and large community events. Our mission statement is to provide the residents of Hermon with recreational opportunities that enrich their social, physical, and intellectual experience while they interact as a connected community. Hermon Recreation’s combined goals will be to provide gatherings that foster fitness and wellness in an atmosphere that is positive, safe, and accessible for all Hermon residents to enjoy.
Website: https://www.hermonrec.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hermonrec
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Somerset County
↳ Skowhegan Parks & Recreation Department
Skowhegan Parks & Recreation Department
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Skowhegan, Maine
❉ Who they serve: The Skowhegan Community Center & Parks & Recreation Dept. serves community members and visitors of all ages. The department is the hub of recreational opportunities and recreational facilities in Somerset County.
❉ Intended use of funds: We would like to use the money to give kids the opportunity and experiences by getting them outside and participating in fun outdoor recreation activities. We currently offer summer adventure programs, school vacation week camps during school as well as special events which consist of whitewater rafting and, hiking and would love to be able to collaborate and utilize more local and state resources to be able to provide skiing/tubing/hiking opportunities in the winter as well as kids & family muddy mountain challenges and inflatable courses which would be an attractive and fun opportunity. Our seasonal program guide can be found on our social media site listed.
❉ About: Our department provides quality programs, parks, facilities and a variety of enrichment opportunities with a professional standard of excellence that enhances the quality of life for all citizens and visitors in our community. We are very fortunate to have a community center and a diverse selection of programs and outdoor facilities for all.
Website: https://www.skowhegan.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044940261588
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Washington County
↳ Princeton Playground Committee (Princeton Parks & Recreation, Town of Princeton)
Princeton Playground Committee (Princeton Parks & Recreation, Town of Princeton)
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Princeton, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve all members of our community and nearby communities, as well!
❉ Intended use of funds: We are currently putting a playground in our recreation space, on West Street, later this summer. We need to raise more money to add another bay of swings, and a few playground accessories. We will continue our fundraising efforts, after this summer, to add a second portion to our playground structure to make it bigger. We know, firsthand, how difficult it is to raise funds in a rural community, but we are dedicated to doing what it takes for our community!
❉ About: It is our organization’s mission to provide exceptional parks, programs, events, and community spaces that engage and enhance the lives of all Princeton and surrounding residents, while creating opportunities by building community connections.
We want to promote and enhance the quality of life for all of our residents. By renovating our recreation spaces, we can improve mental health and increase physical health which will reduce depression and anxiety. This will also develop a strong sense of community and strengthen social bonding. Our recreation areas serve people of all ages so everyone in our community will benefit from our efforts.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrincetonPlayground
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York County
↳ Biddeford Recreation
Biddeford Recreation
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Biddeford, Maine
❉ Who they serve: ages 0-101 in the city of biddeford and the surrounding community as well.
❉ Intended use of funds: We would look to help with the rising cost of ski programming to make it more accessible to children of all socioeconomic backgrounds. We would also look to purchase additional equipment for seasonal outdoor recreation that would allow more children to participate in water programing.
❉ About: The recreation provides many social activities, physical activities, and spaces and places for the public to engage in healthy lifestyle choices.
Website: https://www.biddefordrec.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BiddefordRecreation/
Instagram: @biddefordrecreation
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↳ Kennebunkport Parks & Rec
Kennebunkport Parks & Rec
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Kennebunkport, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve everyone in the community! From Pre-K all the way up to our more experienced generations (seniors).
❉ Intended use of funds: We plan to spend the money towards enhancing the outdoor experience for our elementary school children. By investing in additional winter clothing, such as jackets, snow pants, hats, and mittens, we ensure that no child is left out from enjoying outdoor activities due to forgetting their gear. Moreover, part of the budget will be dedicated to purchasing outdoor toys and gear, broadening the range of activities we offer. Items like snowshoes, sleds, and cross-country skis will not only enrich our after-school program but will also be utilized during our February vacation camp, maximizing the opportunities for outdoor fun and exploration.
❉ About: Kennebunkport Recreation is dedicated to fostering a vibrant community through a range of programs and events. From after-school care for elementary students to engaging summer and vacation camps for both elementary and middle schoolers, we provide enriching experiences year-round. Our calendar is filled with community events aimed at strengthening bonds among residents. Additionally, we offer a diverse array of activities and fitness classes tailored to the needs of our seasoned community members, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle for all ages.
Website: https://kennebunkportme.myrec.com/info/default.aspx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennebunkportrec/
Instagram: @kport_parksandrec
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↳ Limington Parks & Recreation Department
Limington Parks & Recreation Department
MAINE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM
❉ Located in: Limington, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Our department serves the entire town (about 5000) of Limington with programs and activities for all ages. Our summer camp, Camp Moy-Mo-Da-Yo has rapidly grown over the past three years from 30 children over the course of six weeks to 90-100 children over the six weeks, with a majority from Limington but also many children from the surrounding communities.
❉ Intended use of funds: Our summer camp, Camp Moy-Mo-Da-Yo on Pequawket Lake is very outdoor based, with children getting the opportunity to shoot archery, go fishing, get out on the water in canoes and Kayaks, hike and bike on the trails, and so much more. We would use these grant funds to purchase paddle boards for our camp so that the children have another opportunity to get out on the water and learn about another fun outdoor activity. In addition to summer camp, this would also give our beach goers at Moy-Mo-Da-yo and our outdoor explorer club at HB Emery Elementary school another great activity to experience outside!
❉ About: We provide childcare year round at the elementary school with before & aftercare for pre-k to 5th grade and then summer camp for kindergarten up to 8th grade. We run several sports programs, enrichment programs, and community events for all ages. We also oversee Moy-Mo-Da-yo Recreation area on Horne Pond. This was originally an all girls sleep-away camp that started in 1907, which was then gifted to the the town in the 1980s. Now it is the home of Camp Moy-Mo-Da-Yo, the limington rec summer camp program and also a community beach with canoe and kayak rentals, a walking path, and reservable picnic areas.
Website: https://limingtonme.myrec.com/info/default.aspx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LimingtonRecreation/
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NONPROFITS
Androscoggin County
↳ Camp No Limits
Camp No Limits
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Wales, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve youth (ages 0-18) with limb loss / difference (and their families) through multi-day recreational / experiential programs. We educate and empower youth to discover and develop a healthy, happy, and independent lifestyle – our camp program activities enhance physical and social skill development, amputee education, and peer support.
❉ Intended use of funds: Your support would directly enhance our program delivery for Camp sNOw Limits multi-day sports exploration program. Our goal this winter is to increase the number of snowsports instructional lessons, to enhance access to new terrain opportunities and to offer additional enriching activities.
Since its inception, Camp sNOw Limits has introduced, reintroduced, and encouraged more than 74 youth to embrace the joy of winter recreation. Many campers return to improve their skills and comfort year after year. With your support, we can share the love of snowsports with at least 15 youths of whom at least three will be first-time participants at Camp sNOw during our 15th annual Camp sNOw in March of 2025.
In addition to taking part in this beloved winter programming, many campers join in additional recreational programming including one of Camp No Limits’ 12 alternate multi-day programs hosted throughout New England and beyond each calendar year.
❉ About: Our impact on the community is unique and diverse. Camp No Limits offers 12 in person multi-day programs each year, three in Maine, celebrating the vast recreational opportunities and scenic backgrounds offered. From a traditional summer camp setting in Rome, to a whitewater / adventure program in Caratunk, to one focused on adaptive Snowsports in Western Maine, each program serves to educate youth, family, and volunteers alike on how to get outside and to enjoy recreational activities in new and independent ways regardless of individual differences, thereby fostering a more inclusive and active community.
Our camps are delivered in partnership with established providers throughout Maine, including Adventure Bound, Maine Adaptive, and Pine Tree Camp. These partners are crucial in providing instructional skills and using the latest adaptive technology and equipment. Their expertise and resources are instrumental in ensuring the safety and success of our programs. At the same time, participants focus on trying new activities, building skills, and using tools to enhance their daily lives. Our programs give them the skills and confidence to participate in snow sports and foster a sense of belonging that lasts well into the future.
❉ Website: https://www.nolimitsfoundation.org/
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CampNoLimits
❉ Instagram: @campnolimits
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↳ Somali Bantu Community Association
Somali Bantu Community Association
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Lewiston, Maine
❉ Who they serve: The Somali Bantu Community Association (SBCA) serves youth ranging in age from 5-18 who identify as the children of immigrants and who participate in our Kashekee Youth Program agriculture and heritage-based programming at SBCA’s downtown Lewiston Office & Community Center, and farming site located Liberation Farms in Wales, ME.
❉ Intended use of funds: The SBCA will use WinterKids funds to support outdoor programming in our Kashekee Youth Programming, including transportation and admission to outdoor and nature-based field trips in Maine. The program will purchase foul-weather gear like boots and raincoats to ensure our students are safe and comfortable while visiting these sites in all weather, and have the opportunity to participate in programming in many settings without the barrier of purchasing the appropriate clothing. Our youth have repeatedly voiced their desire for more outdoor programming offered through the Kashekee program, and to continue the field trips and outdoor programming that currently exist. This funding would allow us to expand our outdoor offerings for youth participants and offer increased access to outdoor activities in Maine. We thank you for this opportunity to apply for this funding source, which will make a world of difference for our youth.
❉ About: The Somali Bantu Community Association’s mission is to provide vital transitional services, advocacy, and food production that empowers members of the refugee community to uphold cultural identity and economic well-being to thrive in their new life here in Maine. We address issues facing immigrants related to food insecurity, lack of employment, equitable access to healthcare, and provide culturally specific programs to at-risk youth in our community through community-driven strategies. he central pillars of our work are: Liberation Farms, our Community Farming Program, providing access to land and resources where our farmers grow fresh, chemical-free, culturally relevant produce; our Office & Community Center-based Community Advocacy assistance work with childcare, housing, employment, legal migration and healthcare; and the Kashekee Youth Program, an intercultural, reciprocal, and intergenerational exchange of Somali Bantu culture and traditional growing practices. Our dynamic programs are results of the Somali Bantu community creating culturally appropriate solutions to self-identified needs that were not being met after settling in Maine, and are products of a collective visioning process that has evolved since the SBCA was founded in 2005.
❉ Website: https://www.somalibantumaine.org
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/somalibantumaine/
❉ Instagram: @somalibantumaine
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Aroostook County
↳ Big Rock
Big Rock
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Mars Hill, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Big Rock serves its community by providing affordable access to winter sports. Their programming focuses on providing children from all backgrounds access to skiing and snowboarding. Via partnership with schools and rec. departments across multiple counties. Big Rock provides children with rental equipment, lift passes, and lessons while the school system provides transportation. They take a high-barrier sport and make it accessible; providing an opportunity to be physically active and enjoy winter in Northern Maine.
❉ Intended use of funds: Skis, boots, poles, helmets, and boards. These are some of the things we need to help support our program.
Big Rock would use the Winter Kids Downhill 24 Grant to support its Ski4Life program; getting young people outside in the winter. The funds will support the purchase of additional rental equipment. Big Rock maintains a rental fleet of over 200 skis and boards to run its winter program that sees more than 2200 students visit per season. The price per student is one of the lowest in the state for a mountain its size thanks to donations big and small. Additional equipment will support this program and get even more young people skiing for a lifetime.
❉ About: For over 60 years Big Rock has served its community as an affordable place for friends and neighbors to enjoy one of Maine’s greatest pastimes, skiing. Getting generations of folks onto the slope and living a healthy lifestyle is what drives the operation. Youth programming focused on accessibility to overcome physical and financial limitations. Adult education allows people of all ages a chance to learn and grow into skiing and snowboarding.
Big Rock also serves its community as an economic engine of tourism. Each guest who travels from outside Aroostook County provides the community with an economic boost via spending during the visit. The area continues to grow and support this engine, creating a more vibrant community around itself.
❉ Website: https://www.bigrockmaine.com
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BigRockMaine
❉ Instagram: @bigrockmountain
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Cumberland County
↳ Arts and Nature Center (Gorham Arts Alliance)
Arts and Nature Center (Gorham Arts Alliance)
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Gorham, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve ages 3-18 in the Cumberland, York and Oxford counties by offering opportunities to experience and engage in activities which integrate the arts and sciences into the natural world.
❉ Intended use of funds: The Art and Nature Center (run by the Gorham Arts Alliance) would benefit greatly from the Winterkids Outdoor Fund in that it would allow us to expand our programs and offer more classes that help get community members outside. We would be able to expand our garden and invest in snowshoes and other outdoor equipment. Most importantly we will be able to create an outdoor classroom for our preschool and school age students so we are better equipped to bring the classroom outside.
❉ About: We offer an arts/nature based preschool, after school and homeschool programs as well as a variety of outreach programs in the rural and underserved areas. We also offer guided walks on the nearby Tannery Brook Conservation area to explore the pond, streams, plant and animal life. We run a garden program with our students and give any abundance of produce to those in need and the local food pantry.
❉ Website: https://gorhamarts@gmail.com
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GorhamArtsAlliance
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Franklin County
↳ Saddleback Maine Community Corps
Saddleback Maine Community Corps
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Rangeley, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Ski Tuesday, in conjunction with Saddleback Mountain Ski Resort, is a program open to all 120 students from grades 1-8 to spend a half-day at Saddleback for 8-10 consecutive Tuesdays starting in January 2025. Bus transportation will be provided from the school after lunchtime to the resort. Ski/ride equipment will be expertly fitted for the students by Saddleback technicians. Saddleback Maine Community Corps volunteers will be assigned a group of students to help gear up and chaperone until they are ready to head out to the slopes with their professional ski/ride instructors from the Roger Page Ski/Ride School for 3hours.
❉ Intended use of funds: Even though Rangeley is a ski resort town, it is not the local kids that ski and ride here. Skiing and snowboarding are prohibitively expensive; thus, local children are often left out of enjoying winter sports on the mountain. When kids get out of school, if they want to stay in their hometown and work outside at Saddleback, the area’s biggest employer, they must know how to ski or ride. We are trying to enable children in grades 1-8 to get free season-long equipment loans and lift tickets. They can then participate in Ski Tuesday, Saddleback’s 8-10 weekly 3-hour professionally instructed group ski/ride lessons accompanied by our Community Corps. When the equipment is returned, it will be cleaned/tuned/stored. It will be loaned out to another 120 local kids the following season. That’s 600-960 kids using the equipment over its 5-8 year lifespan.
❉ About: Saddleback Maine Community Corps has invited local community members to participate in bimonthly Ski Tuesday planning meetings from November 1st through the end of the program in mid-March. Included in these meetings are Saddleback’s General Manager; Business Manager; Ski School Manager; Ski School Head of Instructors; Special Ed Teacher; School Principal; retired Teachers; retired Social Worker; Downhill Racing Coach; Nordic Center Representative. Rental Professionals go to the school in December and record the height/weight/shoe size of the children as determined by the School Nurse. Equipment will be purchased based on these sizes. Parents will attend an orientation session. 20 plus ski/ride professional instructors will then lead 8-10 weekly 3-hour lessons for the kids on their equipment. The children will be divided into groups based on their skills evaluation. 40 plus Saddleback Maine Community Corps volunteers will accompany the children from bus drop off until the children are returned to their parents. Instructors will provide each child with a Tuesday report card. Data can be collected from the ticket office showing the trails that children skied/rode in the beginning of the program versus the trails skied/rode by the end of the program. Children/parents can participate in exit interviews rating our program.
❉ Website: https://www.saddlebackmainecommunitycorps.org
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/318295957275815
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↳ Western Maine Play Museum LLC
Western Maine Play Museum LLC
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Wilton, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve children from birth to 10, and offer additional activities up to adulthood.
❉ Intended use of funds: While we currently offer a beautiful indoor space for exploration and play, we are still developing our outdoor spaces. We have already constructed a gated multi-use outdoor gathering space with a grass lawn, wooden deck, and shade sails, but hope to increase our usable green space by developing our “backyard.” We envision our backyard as a rugged space where children can discover and interact with nature and natural materials in an open-ended, imaginative way. We hope to create a backyard “dig zone” featuring a mud kitchen, child-sized excavators and other tools for digging, and multiple sand walls that children can use to funnel, sift, and sort sand and dirt they have excavated. We would also like to include a “nature table” for examining and sorting found items such as rocks, sticks, pinecones, and leaves — perhaps with tools like magnifying glasses! By developing this backyard area, we hope to invite
❉ About: Western Maine Play Museum is dedicated to inspiring children, connecting families, and building community through exploration, learning, and play. We believe play is the foundation of learning. It is through play that children begin to understand themselves and the world around them. Western Maine Play Museum respects and celebrates this developmental need by creating stimulating environments that are interactive, engaging, and fun. Children are unique individuals with different needs, abilities, and interests at each stage of their development. We are committed to respecting the individuality of the children we serve by varying our offerings while making our space and exhibits as inclusive as possible. We believe that play fosters connection, both within families and between families and the wider community. Western Maine Play Museum offers a special space for children, families, and friends throughout our region to connect with one another by engaging in exploration, learning, discovery, and PLAY!
❉ Website: https://www.westernmaineplay.org
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westernmaineplaymuseum
❉ Instagram: @westernmaineplaymuseum
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Hancock County
↳ Down East Family YMCA
Down East Family YMCA
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Ellsworth, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We operate eight facilities for over 5,500 members from five primary communities in Hancock County, Maine, currently comprising about 25% of our local population. We serve a cross-generational membership from pre-K to the quite elderly.
❉ Intended use of funds: With a D24 grant, we’d take 30 kids and 8 chaperones to Camden Snow Bowl. We’d hire a school bus driver and arrange for tickets, equipment and lessons to be covered. Estimated cost: $2553 (ski package: $60 includes ticket, equipment, lessons; bus driver: 9 hours at $25/hr; gasoline: 60 miles round-trip at 10 miles/gal, $4/gal). If we received $5000 we’d fill a second bus or arrange a second trip in the same winter. We know that this would be an exceptional new winter experience that many if not most of our participants may never have had, namely being active in the outdoors on a winter day. A Snow Bowl field trip is the perfect opportunity for our kids and their Y pals to discover the wonders of Maine winter and the great fun they can have outside in it. It can be an important life experience they’ll build on forever.
❉ About: The Down East Family YMCA works towards the shared national mission of nurturing the potential of people in our community, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. Our Y is very intentional in our efforts to build empowerment through programming. We are an important provider of child care, afterschool care, and youth sports programs. We run a wide variety of health, fitness and aquatics courses that include all levels and ages. One center offers a hospital-recommended cardiac rehab program including an on-site nurse specialist.
Our child care centers are not babysitting services, but early learning centers, focused on physical, mental and emotional growth providing opportunities for children to grow in safe and caring environments, while enabling parents the confidence to return to the workforce knowing their children are well cared for.
Our Youth Sports coaches work on more than athletic skills. Through sports our children learn discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork, problem solving, and perhaps most importantly, how to turn a setback into a step forward.
In the summer, we operate four fully-enrolled camp programs, serving over 250 kids each week.
We are busy, active, engaged and committed to meeting diverse needs of the population we serve.
❉ Website: https://www.defymca.org
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Downeast-Family-YMCA
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↳ Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine, Inc.
Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine, Inc.
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Bangor, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We serve children of all ages around the state from newborn to 18 years of age.
❉ Intended use of funds: We would match the 5,000-dollar donation and double the impact of this opportunity for our snowbuster program in the Central/Downeast Maine area. Currently, our snowbuster program is provided in a few rural counties and we would like to expand it to Hancock and Penobscot counties. Our Snowbuster program provides quality winter outerwear for youth in foster care or living with a kinship caregiver.
❉ About: AFFM’s Mission is to provide the training, guidance, knowledge, and resources needed to handle complex issues encountered by resource families as they open their hearts and homes to children in need. AFFM does this by providing the following support in every county in Maine:
- Non-judgemental listening support
- Systems navigation (Education, Child Welfare, Mental and Behavioral Health, Aging and Disability Services, Public and Legal Benefits)
- C.A.R.E.S. meetings (support groups)
- Peer-to-peer mentoring
- Information on how to become a licensed adoptive, foster, or kinship caregiver through DHHS
- Annual training conference
- Maine Kinship Family Resource Guide
- lending library of books, videos, etc.
- Maine Kinship Family Legal Guide
- The Family Ties Newsletter
- Material goods (clothing, bedding, household items)
- Discount Card Program
- Post-adoption respite opportunities
- The Back to School Program
- Family Fun events
- Children’s Museum passes
- Holiday Gift Giving Program
- Email listserv
- Social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
- Website
❉ Website: https://affm.net/
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Resource.Family.Support
❉ Instagram: @AFFMsupport
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Kennebec County
↳ 7 Lakes Alliance
7 Lakes Alliance
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Belgrade Lakes, Maine
❉ Who they serve: 7 Lakes Alliance serves the Belgrade Lakes watershed, which includes the towns of Belgrade, Rome, Smithfield, Mt.Vernon, Mercer, Oakland, New Sharon, Readfield, Manchester, Vienna, Norridgewock, Sidney, and Augusta. Our outreach programs serve all ages, and we are especially dedicated to fostering a passion for nature in younger generations.
❉ Intended use of funds: 7LA will use funds to provide access to outside winter programs for local kids K-12, including animal tracking and guided snowshoe hikes. These programs will be a fun and educational way to get kids physically active during winter months. This grant would allow us to expand youth access to winter activities by funding transportation and winter gear. It would allow us to collaborate with Belgrade Recreation, a local partner that serves regional youth. Together, we will expand access for under-served children to winter experiential learning programs. For animal tracking and winter hiking activities, traction devices such as ExoSpikes and snowshoes will be necessary and reusable for years of future programming. Purchasing winter footwear will help kids safely access our trails in winter conditions. By providing transportation to our conserved properties, 7LA will help local kids discover the beauty of the Belgrade Lakes Watershed in all seasons!
❉ About: 7 Lakes Alliance conserves land (12,000 acres in conservation) and stewards 7 major lakes in the Belgrade Lakes Region. Our invasive aquatic remediation team is the first defense for identifying, removing, and preventing new invasive threats. Our erosion control team works diligently to stop runoff into our lakes, which can trigger potentially toxic algal blooms. Our lake science team does water quality research on all 7 lakes throughout the year and remediates lakes that are experiencing algal blooms. Our land conservation team conserves land with a priority for water quality protection, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat.
Our local economy relies heavily on healthy lakes and lands in the Belgrade Lakes watershed and 7 Lakes plays a key role in maintaining a healthy watershed for all. Our year-round education programs connect people with nature and inspires the community to actively protect the unique features of our watershed. We provide numerous year-round volunteer opportunities and welcome all to this vital stewardship with many workshops, events, and free educational programs.
❉ Website: https://www.7lakesalliance.org/contact
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/7lakesalliance2/
❉ Instagram: @7_lakes_alliance
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↳ Steve DeAngelis Community Fund
Steve DeAngelis Community Fund
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Readfield, Maine
❉ Who they serve: The Community Fund’s free after-school program, Kids On the Go, serves 4th and 5th graders in Maranacook district elementary schools. The Community Gear Library will create more opportunities for kids and their families to enjoy outdoor recreation.
❉ Intended use of funds: The cost of equipment is a significant barrier for families trying to get outside, especially with growing kids. The Community Gear Library will provide access to equipment such as bikes, snowshoes, ice skates, skis, etc. A construction trailer will hold equipment and can be brought to district elementary schools, and libraries in Readfield, Mt.Vernon, Manchester, and Wayne. The sign-out process will allow for local families to freely borrow outdoor equipment.
❉ About: Steve founded the Steve DeAngelis Community Fund in 2022, after retiring from a 44 year teaching and nordic ski-coaching career at Maranacook Community High School. The Community Fund’s free after-school program, Kids On the Go, has now served over 200 4th and 5th graders in district schools. The success of Kids On the Go has inspired us to create a Community Gear Library to create more opportunities for kids and their families to enjoy outdoor recreation.
❉ Website: https://stevedfund.org
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevedcommunityfund
❉ Instagram: @stevedcommunityfund
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Oxford County
↳ Western Foothills Land Trust
Western Foothills Land Trust
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Norway, Maine
❉ Who they serve: The Western Foothills Land Trust’s groomed Nordic ski trails, snowshoe trails, ski and snowshoe equipment, and winter events and programs at Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway benefits all families, particularly students and families in the Oxford Hills School District.
❉ Intended use of funds: WFLT would use these funds to add some kid-sized skate skis/poles and combi boots to our equipment closet to be used by young skiers who are ready to try skate skiing before joining the middle school Viking team. The Trust hosts monthly biathlons and provides air rifles, and potentially skis, to competitors who don’t have their own equipment, it would be great to have a few skate ski options.
❉ About: Our 212-acre Roberts Farm has a timber framed warming hut, staffed daily during the ski season providing free ski, pole, boot and snowshoe rentals for use on site. The Preserve offers free access to 26km of groomed Nordic trails and 6k of snowshoe/dog walking trails. We have recently installed motion -activated LED lights on 5k of the Nordic Trails to allow families to ski after dark. The Trust offers monthly ski clinics, skijors, and biathlons, and provides a venue for our Viking teams to practice and to compete. With generous volunteer instructors, the Trust offers a 6-week after school ski program to students at the Guy E Rowe school in Norway. We host the Oxford Hills Bill Koch league.
In collaboration with MSAD17, the Preserve is also home to the Roberts Farm Experiential Learning Center, hosting the district’s nature- based programming which makes full use of the recreational assets on site.
❉ Website: https://www.wfltmaine.org
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WesternFoothillsLandTrust/
❉ Instagram: @roberts_farm
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Penobscot County
↳ Brewer Youth Hockey
Brewer Youth Hockey
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Brewer, Maine
❉ Who they serve: The organization serves youth ages 4 to 18.
❉ Intended use of funds: Brewer Youth Hockey (BYH) aims to promote skating and hockey, making it safe, affordable, and enjoyable for all ages. Emphasizing the long-term benefits of an active lifestyle and team engagement, BYH fosters lifelong connections among youth. With the $5,000 grand prize, BYH plans to procure 50 sets of skates and helmets for their learn-to-play program and “try hockey for free” events. We anticipate that the gear can be utilized for three to four years, allowing multiple kids to enjoy skating. These events, facilitated by certified USA Hockey Coaches and experienced older youth in mentorship roles, not only teach skating but also instill a love for being active during winter.
❉ About: The purpose of Brewer Youth Hockey (BYH) shall be to organize, support, and maintain a youth hockey program, following the Maine Amateur Hockey Association guidelines, for the greater Penobscot and Hancock County areas as well as players from other areas who decide to associate themselves with BYH, ultimately, preparing the players for high school hockey.
The association shall make a commitment to implant firmly in our participants, the ideals of good sportsmanship, fair play, and loyalty towards one’s teammates so that they may be stronger, happier youths and fully enjoy his/her experience playing on a team.
❉ Website: https://www.brewerhockey.org/
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrewerYouthHockey
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↳ Maine Inferno
Maine Inferno
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Orono, Maine
❉ Who they serve: We provide service for girls ages 4-19.
❉ Intended use of funds: Our intent is to use this program to provide hockey equipment for families that need support, we hope that this translates to increased skating both indoors and outdoors in Maine.
❉ About: The Maine Inferno is a girls ice hockey association dedicated to the promotion of ice hockey for girls of all age classifications and skill levels. It is the mission of the Maine Inferno to provide a superior quality, successful, cost-effective, highly-regarded girls hockey program through a shared commitment between the players, coaches and parents of central and coastal Maine.
❉ Website: https://www.maineinfernohockey.org/
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaineInferno/
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York County
↳ Brixham Montessori Friends School
Brixham Montessori Friends School
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: York, Maine
❉ Who they serve: Brixham Montessori Friends School serves approximately 75 students, ages 2-11 years in York, ME.
❉ Intended use of funds: We would schedule 3 monthly field trips in the winter to learn how to cross-country ski with rentals, as well as 3 monthly field trips to learn how to skate with rentals. In addition, we would purchase #30 pairs of snowshoes for children so students could hike the local trails as often as possible, and at school in our woods. Any remaining funds would be used to plan for guided hikes in the fall or spring with a nature educator and/or to visit the local Audubon Society to include developing curriculum to support these guided hikes, and putting together backpacks to carry supplies for the hikes, such as sketch books and pencils, wildlife identification charts, and tools for observing like binoculars.
❉ About: Brixham Montessori Friends School is a small, independent school whose mission is “to honor each child’s individuality, creativity and intellectual potential through an enriched Montessori educational program.” We strive to be outdoors year around with dedicated days each week for nature education, as well as extended periods of time throughout the day for open-ended play outdoors. We serve the community by providing an experiential model of learning for students and their families where each child discovers the joy of having agency in their learning with opportunities to build concentration, independence, coordination and order. The Montessori pedagogy is at the core of our curriculum with enrichment in the arts and sciences. We would love to expand our outdoor education to include health and wellness goals for students, and further our efforts for students’ lifelong enjoyment of outdoor wintertime activities, such as opportunities to learn how to skate, cross-country ski, and snowshoe. At Brixham, the family-school connection is strong, and much of the learning that happens in school carries over to home with parents eager to engage and participate in many of the activities that students experience at school, such as taking hikes, birding, gardening, and participating in community service projects.
❉ Website: https://www.brixhammontessori.org
❉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brixham-Montessori-Friends-School-83179811145/
❉ Instagram: @brixhammontessori_artstudio
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↳ School Around Us
School Around Us
MAINE REGISTERED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 501(c)(3)
❉ Located in: Arundel, Maine
❉ Who they serve: SAU serves children between the ages of five and 14 in their families in York, Cumberland, Androscoggin. All 50 of our students are homeschooled.
❉ Intended use of funds: We plan to purchase as many pairs of children’s snowshoes and poles as the grant amount allows us to.
Currently, there is no winter gear available for a learners learners to use on our 3 acre campus. This campus is surrounded by wooded trails, and open farm feels ideal for snowshoeing.
We also intend to utilize the funds for a cross country ski community days. These community days are designed to get our students out into the local community for active hands-on learning.
❉ About: School Around us provides full and part-time holistic education to learners in families in our community. Holistic Education is unique from other progressive philosophies in that this type of education is concerned with the development of a person’s intellectual, emotional, social, physical, artistic, creative and spiritual potentials. We aim to create “whole” individuals who are well balanced in their outlook on life and their personal understanding of themselves in relation to the world.
❉ Website: https://schoolaroundus.org
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❉ STEP 2: CAST YOUR BALLOT
Cast your ballot by filling out the form below. You may only cast your ballot ONCE, so please be sure to get to know all of our nominees and maximize your impact by voting for one organization in each category!
THIS BALLOT WILL CLOSE AT 11:59 PM ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2024. YOU MUST BE A MAINE RESIDENT TO VOTE. CLICK HERE FOR RULES & REGULATIONS.
ABOUT THE DOWNHILL 24 OUTDOOR FUND
In 2022, WinterKids established the Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund to broaden access to healthy outdoor activities for children across Maine. This initiative supports schools, nonprofit organizations, and parks and recreation departments by providing essential funding. Grants provided aim to break down barriers that prevent kids from enjoying the outdoors by financing critical projects such as acquiring necessary equipment, appropriate clothing, transportation, and access to outdoor spaces.
2023 Grantees
- MAINE NONPROFITS: Pine Tree Camp, Teens to Trails, Aroostook County Action Program
- MAINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: South Portland Middle School, Mariners Soar After School Program at SU 76, Rangeley Lakes Regional School
- MAINE PARKS & REC PROGRAMS: Town of Millinocket, Saco Parks & Recreation, City of Bangor Parks & Recreation
2022 Grantees
- Noble Middle School (York County)
- Bruce M. Whittier Middle School (Androscoggin County)
- Auburn Middle School (Androscoggin County)
- Mt. Abram Regional High School (Franklin County).
- Honorable Mentions: Memorial Middle School (Cumberland County), Bangor Parks & Rec Department (Penobscot County), and Alfond Youth & Community Center (Kennebec County).
A total of $25,000 in grants will be awarded:
- The organization with the most votes in each category will receive $5,000 each
- The organization with the second (2nd) most votes in each category will receive $2,000 each
- The organization with the third (3rd) most votes in each category will receive $1,000 each
- One honorable mention will receive $1,000
Winners will be announced on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- All winners are required to dispense the winning funds by April 1, 2025.
- All winners are required to report to WinterKids on the use of funds by April 15, 2025.
KEY DATES
- June 3-
14, 2024: Application Window (EXTENDED TO June 19!) - July 1-31, 2024: Community Vote
- August 7, 2024: Winners Announced
Grant funds can be utilized to promote outdoor activities and physical engagement among children in your organization. Here are a few examples:
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Outdoor equipment for your school or playground
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Field trips for outdoor, active fun
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Outdoor gear or clothing
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Special outdoor physical activity programs
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Hiking trips
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Nature excursions
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Learn a new sport or outdoor activity (i.e., skiing, skating, rafting, ropes courses, etc.)
ALSO GOOD TO KNOW:
- All winners are required to dispense the winning funds by April 1, 2025.
- All winners are required to report to WinterKids on the use of funds by April 15, 2025.
Organizations that qualify for the WinterKids Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund ballot must meet the following criteria:
- Applicant organizations must be a Maine registered 501(c)(3) OR Maine public school OR public parks and recreation department for a community within Maine;
- If your organization has received any of the following between June 1, 2023-May 31, 2024, it is not eligible to apply:
- Cash award as a Downhill 24 beneficiary
- Cash award as a Mountain Mayhem beneficiary
- Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund grant (excluding honorable mentions)
- Gold medal in the WinterKids Winter Games
- All funds must be used to help get kids outside and active;
- Applicant organizations must have non-discriminatory programs open to all and be nonsectarian and
- Applicant organizations must have offices in Maine.
Additional Rules and Regulations:
WinterKids will review each application to ensure compliance with the above eligibility criteria. WinterKids reserves the right to independently verify the eligibility status of any applicant organization and reject any applications that, in WinterKids’ sole discretion, do not meet the eligibility requirements or otherwise are not consistent with WinterKids’ purpose or mission.
By applying, each applicant organization agrees to cooperate with reasonable information requests from WinterKids to verify eligibility status and comply with all General Rules, including any amendments that WinterKids deems necessary.
WinterKids does not provide financial support for political organizations or candidates, religious organizations, or activities for sectarian purposes, and any applications from such organizations will be denied.
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
Aside from basic contact and organizational information, here are some important things you should pull together in preparation for the June 3-14 application window:
- Intended use of funds. (150 word limit)
- Estimated number of children that will directly benefit from this project/event*
- Your organization’s logo (if applicable)
- A photo that best represents the work your organization does
- A copy of your organization’s 501(c)(3) letter (if applicable). If your company is a 501(c)(3), you will need to include a digital copy of your 501(c)(3) letter (.jpg, .png, or .pdf all work great)
WINTERKIDS DOWNHILL 24 OUTDOOR FUND CONTEST RULES
GENERAL RULES
WinterKids will award a total of 10 grants. The organization with the most votes in each category will receive $5,000, and the organization with the second most votes in each category will receive $2,000 each. Third-place organizations in each category will receive $1,000. One honorable mention will receive $1,000. Winners will be announced on or around Wednesday, August 7, 2024. All decisions as to eligibility and voting are within WinterKids’ sole discretion.
All winners are required to dispense of the winning funds by April 1, 2025, and report to WinterKids on the use of funds by April 15, 2025, using the form WinterKids provides.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for the WinterKids Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund ballot, applicant organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Applicant organizations must be a Maine registered 501(c)(3) OR Maine public school OR public parks and recreation department for a community within Maine;
- Applicant organizations must not have been monetary beneficiaries of the 2023 WinterKids D24 Outdoor Fund (excluding honorable mentions), 2023 WinterKids Mountain Mayhem, the 2024 WinterKids Downhill 24, or a Gold Medal in the 2024 WinterKids Winter Games;
- All funds must be used to help get kids outside and active more often;
- Applicant organizations must have non-discriminatory programs open to all and be nonsectarian; and
- Applicant organizations must have offices in Maine.
WinterKids will review each application to ensure compliance with the above eligibility criteria. WinterKids reserves the right to independently verify the eligibility status of any applicant organization and reject any applications that, in WinterKids’ sole discretion, do not meet the eligibility requirements or otherwise are not consistent with WinterKids’ purpose or mission.
By applying, each applicant organization agrees to cooperate with reasonable information requests from WinterKids to verify eligibility status and comply with all General Rules, including any amendments that WinterKids deems necessary.
WinterKids does not provide financial support for political organizations or candidates, religious organizations, or activities for sectarian purposes, and any applications from such organizations will be denied.
VOTING REQUIREMENTS
Each voter must submit one (1) online ballot with (1) vote per category: 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public school, and public parks and recreation department. Votes may be only for organizations on the ballot. Votes must be for three (3) different organizations. Duplicate ballots and ballots with more than three organizations are invalid and will not be counted.
Voting is open only to Maine residents. Online voting begins at 9:00 a.m. July 1, 2024, and ends on July 31, 2024, at 11:59:59 pm.
Frequently asked questions:
Q: We are a childcare facility. Are we eligible?
A: If your childcare facility is registered as a 501 c 3 nonprofit, it is eligible to be on the ballot. The Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund is currently focused on distributing grants strictly within the not-for-profit sector in Maine.
Q: Do grant funds have to go toward winter-specific programs?
A: WinterKids’ mission is primarily to encourage children to embrace winter outdoor activities. However, we strongly believe that promoting physical movement, education, and exploration in the natural environment year-round is vital for enhancing the overall health and well-being of children throughout Maine.
Therefore, we are dedicated to supporting diverse programs that facilitate outdoor engagement among kids, regardless of the season. By broadening our grant allocations, we ensure that any initiative aimed at getting more children active and outdoors is eligible for funding.
Q: We are concerned that our organization’s community is smaller than other organizations on the ballot. How can we compete with other larger organizations?
A: To promote fairness, the vote is divided into three categories (public schools, nonprofits, and parks & rec departments), enabling organizations to compete with others of similar types. Additionally, the community vote approach ensures that organizations are not necessarily judged based on their communities’ size but rather on their work to get out the vote.
We offer a comprehensive toolkit designed to assist organizations in generating support and maximizing the community vote. This toolkit includes strategies and resources to facilitate outreach efforts within their communities and beyond. We understand that significant effort may be required, but we aim to provide support and guidance to help organizations navigate the process successfully.
Ultimately, you can’t win if you don’t enter. We hope you will apply and give it a shot, regardless of the size of your community.