Maine Bank Foundation To Let Residents Vote On Nonprofit Grants

BANGOR, ME — A Maine savings bank that has branches in New Hampshire, too, is asking residents to vote on and make recommendations of worthy nonprofits that need assistance as part of its Community Matters More initiative.

Beginning Feb. 1, the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation will be allowing residents in both states to show their support to as many as five nonprofit organizations as well as making their own write-in recommendations to receive 44 grants of between $1,000 and $5,000. This is the 14th year the foundation has been doling out grants to orgs. For 2021, more than $140,000 will be awarded to nonprofits in eight regions in Maine and three regions in New Hampshire.

The effort, since 2007, has awarded more than $1.5 million to around 500 organizations.

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"We believe in focusing on the needs that matter most to the communities we serve, and this program allows us to hear directly from our community members," Bob Montgomery-Rice, the president and CEO of Bangor Savings Bank, said. "It gives them an opportunity to rally for their favorite local nonprofits and provides communities a voice in how we can meaningfully give."

After the voting is completed, $5,000 grants will be issued to the top vote-getters in each geographical region of both states and runners-up will receive grants valued at between $1,000 and $4,000 grants.

Bangor Savings Bank has locations in Amherst, Colebrook, Concord, and Portsmouth.

To vote for nonprofits or make a recommendation, visit the Community Matters More site, located here, on or after Feb. 1.

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