Since Androscoggin Bank began its proud history in 1870 the goal of the bank has been to be a financial partner and resource to the communities it serves. Along with that commitment, the Bank has a strong tradition of social commitment and support for improving the quality of life within those communities. Over the years the Bank has supported hundreds of organizations funded new initiatives and responded to needs within various communities which has resulted in positive change and improved the way of life for many people. In the new millennium the Bank sees its vision for community involvement and support growing and at the same time becoming more focused. To accomplish that, Androscoggin Bank established the MainStreet Foundation which was incorporated in 1997 and funded with $1,000,000 in grants from Androscoggin Bank.

Our Mission

The mission of Androscoggin Bank's MainStreet Foundation is to enrich the lives of area children and youth and to provide them with hope and opportunity. Our focus is on young people under 18 years of age who are most at risk and lack the support systems to help them grow in a nurturing environment and ultimately become contributing members of society.

To this end, we wish to support projects, programs and initiatives that foster the development and welfare of youth in the communities we serve. We also wish to support efforts that will deliver measurable outcomes with sustainable long-term benefits for the communities served by the Bank.

Who's Eligible for MainStreet Grants

The MainStreet Foundation provides support for nonprofit organizations whose purpose is consistent with the Foundation's focus on youth. Grant awards are generally limited to the market areas served by Androscoggin Bank. The Foundation does not provide financial support to individuals, political organizations or candidates for political office. Faith-based organizations may be awarded grants so long as the work they propose is wholly nonsectarian.

The Foundation grants will not be given to support general operating expenses, endowments, conferences or seminars, or for facilities renovation or improvements. We do not support multi-year requests or capital campaigns. We also ask that impact and seed grant recipients wait twelve months from the date of funding before submitting another request.

MainStreet Foundation Grant Procedure

Level of Funding. The MainStreet Foundation provides two types of grants: Impact Grants and Seed Grants. In 2007, the Foundation anticipates making several awards to help enrich the lives of and provide opportunity for at risk area children and youth. Six or seven Impact Grants of approximately $5,000 are anticipated. Seed grants are awarded for amounts up to $500, and ten to fifteen are expected to be awarded this year.

Application Review Cycle. The Foundation reviews requests four times a year in February, May, August and November. The deadline for grant applications is the 15th day of the month preceding the review month (e.g., the 15th of January for review in February). Applications received later than this deadline will not be considered for support until the following quarterly review meeting. Applicants will be sent a confirmation of receipt of their grant application a few days after it is received. Notification of grant decisions will be sent by mail no later than the end of the month in which the Foundation's decision-making groups meet and review grant applications.

Applying for Support. We ask interested organizations to submit proposals in either the Impact Grant or Seed Grant category. Organizations cannot apply for both in the same year.

Applicants can obtain a grant application in any of three ways:

• Download a copy from this link: MainStreet Foundation Grant Application
• Request a copy by mail by sending an email request to: MainStreet@androscogginbank.com
• Request a copy by mail by writing to: MainStreet Foundation, P.O. Box 1407, Lewiston, ME 04243-1407

Please follow the guidelines in the grant application carefully. Applications that do not comply with the guidelines or that do not specifically address our area of focus will not be considered for funding.

Before or after grant approval, the Foundation may request additional information from an organization on its financial status, organization, or operations.

After Grants Are Made. If a grant is made, the grantee must agree to the following:

• To provide the Foundation with a brief report at the end of the grant period describing, for example, the extent to which the project objective was met and describing outcomes, impact of the project, and highlighting a specific success story involving a individual or group that benefited from the grant’s use.
• To allow the Foundation or Androscoggin Bank to use the name of the grantee and a description of the grant in publications and media releases describing the activities of the Foundation.
• To repay, upon demand, to the MainStreet Foundation the total amount of a grant if any of the following events occur:
  • Change in the activities of the grantee that eliminates its exempt status
  • Failure to spend the grant as indicated in the application
  • Information submitted in the application or supporting information is found to be inaccurate in any material respect