Nonprofit notebook: Portland music venue raises $175K, MCF seeks grant applications
File photo / Renee Cordes
One Longfellow Square in Portland has exceeded its $175,000 fundraising goal, but says there are many unknowns ahead.
Portland performing arts venue One Longfellow Square said Friday that it has exceeded its latest fundraising goal of $175,000 to stay afloat through next summer, but warned of many unknowns ahead.
The nonprofit raised the target from the original goal of $100,000, which it had met in less than 10 days.
One Longfellow Square remains closed because of coronavirus-related restrictions on gatherings but launched a crowfunding campaign on GoFundMe in mid-June, several months into the COVID-19 shutdown.
At that time, the venue was in danger of closing forever because of rent payments due and no income coming in.
"Incredibly, the community rallied around the venue and has given us a chance to survive the economic hardship of this pandemic," Jeff Beam, One Longfellow Square's programming director and venue manager, said in an emailed statement.
"While we will not be raising the fundraising goal again," he added, "the campaign will remain online and active for the next several weeks. Any additional funds will further help OLS regain our footing amidst the changing landscape."
Beam noted that One Longfelllow Square's skeletal monthly costs are $7,000 a month, and that the funds raised from the campaign will be used to pay rent, utilities, insurance and internet support support services to maintain the venue through next summer.
He also said that the organization will look for alternative ways to safely bring music to the public in the coming months and will prepare to resume shows in the venue when that becomes possible.
MCF call for grant applications
The Maine Community Foundation is accepting applications for two different grant programs, one of which is through the organization's Equity Fund. The foundation also seeks applications from nonprofits for project and capacity-building grants that address lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer issues and needs.
Grant awards of up to $7,500 are available.
Priority will be given to projects and organizations that serve people in rural and underserved communities; support LGBTQ families, youth or elders; increase access to health care or reduce health disparities; reduce anti-LGBTQ violence; support social and cultural community-building activities; and provide education to promote respect and understanding of LGBTQ people.
Recent grant recipients include Maine Transgender Network Inc., to expand transgender peer support services to western and Midcoast Maine and Outright-Lewiston Auburn, to expand the capacity of its Youth Advisory Board to meet the growing need for peer-based mental health support in youth programming.
Separately, the Maine Community Foundation's Maine Theater Fund is accepting grant applications from local, regional and statewide nonprofit theaters or theater groups in Maine.
Funds will be awarded for support related to programming, capacity-building, operating and capital support. Awards are typically between $2,500 and $5,000, although larger awards may be considered.
Both programs have a grant application deadline of Sept. 15.
Guidelines, application forms and a list of recent grants are all available online.
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