Photo / Courtesy Maine Cancer Foundation
Athletes at Maine Cancer Foundation's Tri for a Cure fundraiser in July.
December 2, 2024
Beyond Giving Tuesday: Here's what 8 Maine nonprofit leaders have planned for 2025
Photo / Soubanh Phanthay
The Pihcintu Multinational Girls Chorus, directed by founder and Executive Director Con Fullam on guitar, light up the room at the Mainebiz Women to Watch event in September.
In a state known for its spirit of volunteerism and dedication to charitable causes, Giving Tuesday (always the Tuesday after Thanksgiving) is an opportune time to highlight the contributions of Maine's many nonprofit organizations.
To mark this year's occasion, Mainebiz checked in with nonprofit leaders across the state to see what they have planned for 2025.
Con Fullam, the founder and executive director of the Pihcintu Multinational Girls Chorus for the past 20 years, describes his “fervent” wish for 2025 is the following: “To raise a significant amount of money to allow the chorus to establish a real infrastructure which will insure the sustainability of the chorus for many years to come."
For the past 20 years, Fullam has also served as chorus director, producer, booking agent, driver and program coordinator for the group, which is made up of girls from immigrant and refugee families.
While the 76-year-old has won numerous accolades and awards for his own career as a songwriter, producer and performer, he says that “none of these honors are as important to me as the joy and satisfaction I get from seeing the young women of Pihcintu grow into confident, successful and giving persons who are constant contributors to their families and communities.”
Community is also a motivating force for Ekhlas Ahmed, the founder and executive director of Chance to Advance, a Windham-based nonprofit that aims to uplift the voices of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through storytelling. She herself came to this country as a refugee from Sudan more than 20 years ago.
Her goals for 2025 include expanding the group’s board membership, raising funds to support the production of a documentary “that showcases the visibility and richness of our community” and continued scholarship support for immigrant and refugee high school students.
“Additionally, we plan to host a 2025 release party to bring our community together to celebrate our achievements and the stories we share,” she notes. “By focusing on these goals, we aim to strengthen our impact and foster a more inclusive environment for all.”
Here’s what other nonprofit leaders envision for their organizations in 2025.
John Zavodny, president, Maine Seacoast Mission:
“The priority for Maine Seacoast Mission in 2025 is to work with community leaders, fellow organizations, and state and local governments to identify realistic and lasting solutions to the most pressing problems of the coast while continuing our core work in health care, education and community building.”
Ray Ruby, executive director, Maine Cancer Foundation:
“Maine Cancer Foundation will continue to focus on statewide initiatives that prioritize cancer prevention, promote early detection through education and screenings, and improve access to care for every Mainer. Together, we're making meaningful strides to change the story of cancer in Maine."
Michelle Anderson, president and CEO, Junior Achievement of Maine:
“As a named resource to support part of Maine’s 10-year economic plan to introduce 75,000 new workers to the economy, Junior Achievement of Maine is working to inspire and prepare students to meet this opportunity. As we work toward this goal in 2025, we’re continuing our efforts to connect students to the workforce by expanding our classroom reach, facilitating more job shadow opportunities, and enrolling more high schools in our immersive business simulation experience, the JA Titan Challenge.”
Jennifer Hutchins, executive director, Maine Association of Nonprofits:
“2025 is a big year for everyone's favorite topic: Taxes! While the focus is on federal tax reform in Congress, MANP and our national partners will be pushing for reestablishing and expanding the universal charitable deduction, so that everyone receives a tax benefit from their contribution regardless of how much they can afford to donate. MANP will also be helping Maine nonprofits get ready for the new blanket sales tax exemption for 501(c)(3) charities. Nonprofits across the state will now be able to retain thousands every year to direct toward supporting their missions and strengthening Maine communities.”
MANP is also working on the next edition of its Adding Up Impact report, a biennial snapshot of the state’s nonprofit sector.
“Stay tuned to learn more about how nonprofits impact your community in 2025,” Hutchins says.
Gretchen Johnson, executive director, Center for Grieving Children:
“With social isolation at epidemic levels, we at the Center see 2025 as a critical time to engage as many new volunteers as possible. Volunteerism is a known antidote to loneliness, and our volunteer facilitators have built a remarkable community of support here. I’m hoping we can attract 20 to 30 new facilitators.
“More facilitators means that we can reach more people experiencing grief, through our peer support groups (in person at our Portland and Sanford sites and in our online groups), through our community outreach, and with educational trainings.”
Joanne Bean, president and CEO, Camp Sunshine:
“As we enter 2025, Camp Sunshine's greatest need will continue to be the Family Fund, which supports everything that makes Camp Sunshine [in Casco, on Sebago Lake] a magical place: Lodging, meals, medical oversight, activities for families, and travel assistance — often the greatest barrier for families attending camp.”
Photo / Courtesy of Camp Sunshine
Camp Sunshine aims to provide hope, joy and community through unique experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
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