Brunswick-based Tedford Housing’s capital campaign reflected a broad-based coalition of support that combined fundraising, advocacy and community engagement to help address the needs of the growing homeless population in midcoast Maine.
The five-year campaign, a first for the nonprofit, raised $9.2 million, exceeding its goal by 11%, from a broad range of local businesses, community organizations, foundations and more than 450 individuals.
Support included funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, MaineHousing, First National Bank and the MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital/Lincoln County Health Improvement Fund.
Tedford Housing provides emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing and homelessness prevention for adults and families in Sagadahoc, northern Cumberland, Lincoln and southern Androscoggin counties. It is the only emergency housing resource serving Lincoln County.
Across Tedford’s service area, an estimated 1,200 people experienced homelessness at some point during the past year, including over 600 K-12 students.
Funds raised supported the construction of an expanded emergency shelter and resource center in Brunswick. The 17,000-square-foot facility, which opened last November, has allowed the organization to increase capacity for individuals and families by 60%.
The new building has also allowed for centralized case management services, which include connecting clients with resources for permanent housing, healthcare, education and employment.
“This new facility is more than just additional beds,” says Andrew Lardie, executive director of Tedford Housing. “It’s a physically accessible and dignified home where people can heal, work with highly skilled staff and access the resources they need to get back into permanent housing as quickly as possible.”
“It will be a lifeline for the 80 or so additional guests we’ll be able to serve each year,” Lardie says.
Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic and organizational transition, the effort — orchestrated by a lean staff — showcased resilience and adaptability.
Beyond capital results, the campaign raised public awareness about housing insecurity, engaged a large number of volunteers and strengthened Tedford’s role as a regional leader in providing dignity-centered care for Mainers struggling with homelessness.
