Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

June 2, 2009

GrowSmart in "serious crisis"

GrowSmart Maine, a nonprofit organization in Yarmouth that focuses on sustainable economic growth and quality of place, could be forced to shut down in the face of a funding shortfall.

The organization sent out an email today to its members and supporters that said it is in "the midst of a serious crisis that threatens the organization's future" and asked for donations to "allow us to continue operating." Though GrowSmart has funding opportunities lined up for later this summer and during the fall, the organization needs to raise $60,000 over the next few weeks to keep it running until that funding becomes available, according to the email. The organization -- which has already dropped some of its programs and cut its staff in half -- attributed the funding crisis to the economic climate and its impact on people's ability to donate to nonprofit organizations.

Alan Caron, GrowSmart's president and founder, could not be immediately reached for comment. Caron was a member of the Mainebiz 2007 Next List, and GrowSmart staff members write a column for Mainebiz called "Charting the Course."

Sign up for Enews

Comments

Order a PDF