Honorable mentions: Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year
Community Concepts, Maine Children’s Trust, Healthy Kids, Franklin County Children’s Task Force & Kennebec Valley Community Action Program: The Family Support Communities (FSC) pilot is a groundbreaking collaboration of five regional nonprofit providers to transform how Maine families access support. Initiated in October 2025, FSC replaces fragmented services with a coordinated, community-led ecosystem rooted in national best practices. Across pilot sites in Androscoggin, Franklin, Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset counties, partners are co-creating innovative approaches such as mobile office hours and activities programs, family resource centers and the “Stuff Coalition,” which coordinates concrete support for basic needs. Early results show increased trust, stronger provider collaboration and families more readily accessing resources in their own communities. With measurable goals focused on relationship-building, shared infrastructure, and scalable learning systems, FSC is already informing a statewide expansion effort. This collaboration is redefining family support in Maine through trust-based, community-driven systems change.
Queerly ME & Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust: The partnership between Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and Queerly ME exemplifies how collaboration can expand access and foster belonging. What began as a shared vision in 2021 has grown into a statewide model for inclusive outdoor programming. By combining conserved lands and staff capacity with a trusted LGBTQIA+ network, the organizations co-created Trail Mixer walks as welcoming, intergenerational gatherings designed to connect people with nature and each other. Since 2022, they have hosted roughly six events annually, with participation growing from just six attendees to as many as 75. Beyond numbers, the collaboration addresses social isolation, strengthens community ties, and creates safe, affirming spaces. Now replicated across Maine, this partnership demonstrates how resource sharing and trust can deliver scalable, measurable social change.
Honorable mentions: Legacy of Service Award
Gena Canning: Gena Canning, who was a third-generation leader of Pine State Trading Co., has paired operational success with philanthropy and civic engagement, stengthening communities across Maine. Gena serves as board chair of Bangor Savings Bank and sits on the University of Southern Maine Foundation board, while also playing a pivotal leadership role in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley’s multi-million-dollar capital campaign in Gardiner, expanding access to critical family services. Known for her active, roll-up-your-sleeves approach, she champions causes focused on economic opportunity, education and community well-being. Gena’s legacy is defined by sustained, meaningful impact that has inspired others to make a difference with the nonprofits in their communities.
Alexander ‘Sandy’ Buck: Sandy Buck’s lifetime of service reflects more than five decades of hands-on leadership, philanthropy and environmental advocacy that have shaped communities across Maine and beyond. Beginning at age 17 as a founding board member of Camp Kieve, he went on to serve nearly 30 years, including nine as board chair, helping secure its long-term sustainability through capital campaigns, endowments and expanded outreach. His impact extends to major conservation wins, including helping raise $7 million in just six months to preserve Katahdin Lake for public use. Through leadership roles with Maine Audubon, the Maine Climate Council and the Environmental Funders Network, Sandy has mobilized millions in funding and cross-sector collaboration to address climate change. As co-founder of the Buck Lab at Colby College, he continues to mentor and inspire future environmental leaders, ensuring his legacy of service endures for generations.
Honorable mention: In-Kind Services Support
Systems Engineering: Systems Engineering delivers exceptional in-kind technology support that enables nonprofits to operate efficiently in an increasingly complex digital landscape. By providing a substantial portion of its IT services pro bono, the company reduces what would otherwise be significant infrastructure costs, freeing up critical resources to be reinvested directly into programming and client services. Its support spans hardware, software, systems management, security and ongoing technical guidance, effectively serving as the organization’s help desk, IT partner and strategic advisor. Even through a recent ownership transition, service continuity remained seamless, underscoring a strong internal culture and commitment to client care.
Honorable mention: Volunteer of the Year
Carrie Niederman: Through her rare combination of board leadership and clinical expertise, Carrie Niederman has provided extraordinary volunteer leadership for Riding to the Top Therapeutic Riding Center. A retired equine veterinarian with 30 years of specialized experience in dentistry and nutrition, she uniquely bridges governance, education and direct animal care. Contributing over 500 hours of service in 2025, Carrie conducts monthly herd health and nutrition assessments, develops individualized feeding plans, and supports complex medical cases, once personally coordinating and accompanying a horse through out-of-state surgery and recovery. She also strengthens organizational capacity by educating staff and volunteers through in-depth training, often bringing teaching tools such as equine skulls and professional literature. Carrie’s singular support has significantly advanced Riding to the Top’s mission of enhancing health and wellness through equine-assisted services for people and animals alike.
Honorable mentions: Corporate Champion of the Year
Central Maine Power: Central Maine Power combines significant financial contributions with a deeply engaged employee culture. In 2025, CMP contributed more than $1 million to 173 nonprofit organizations across over 75 Maine communities, while employees logged more than 6,800 volunteer hours, amplified through programs that match volunteer time with financial donations. CMP’s efforts span critical sectors from food security to mental health, with unique initiatives such as its annual Nonprofit Networking Day and a STEM-focused Girl Scouts “unplugged” event. Hands-on contributions range from building playgrounds to hosting Make-A-Wish reveals. With innovative partnerships, in-kind support like bucket truck community events and education outreach reaching 10,000 people annually, CMP’s program exemplifies a comprehensive, statewide approach to corporate citizenship.
The Boulos Co.: Guided by three pillars: financial support, nonprofit leadership, and direct volunteer participation, the Boulos Co. backs 15 to 20 organizations annually while team members serve on 27 nonprofit boards and committees. In 2025, Boulos elevated its impact through its “50 for 50” initiative, successfully mobilizing employee participation in 50 community events. With a team of fewer than 70 employees, Boulos achieved 100% participation while raising and donating more than $100,000, to support over 50 nonprofits across sectors from housing and food security to environmental conservation and health research. Longstanding partnerships, such as its annual holiday gift giving program and school supply drives with Spurwink, reflect a sustained, fully engaged approach to giving back.
Honorable mentions: Campaign Excellence
Maine Credit Union League: In its 35th year, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger initiative surpassed an ambitious $1.35 million goal, raising almost $1.5 million through a decentralized, community-driven strategy that empowered local credit unions to lead creative fundraising efforts. This flexible approach fueled record engagement, including the 6th Annual Ending Hunger Challenge, which generated over $238,000 in a single month. Beyond fundraising, the campaign demonstrated exceptional responsiveness and mission delivery. When Good Shepherd Food Bank faced sudden federal funding cuts, partners mobilized $236,033 in emergency support in under 30 days. Altogether, the campaign supported 298 hunger-relief organizations statewide, delivering both immediate assistance and long-term impact while elevating awareness of food insecurity across Maine communities.
Waterfall Arts: The Waterfall Arts 25th Anniversary Campaign seamlessly integrated fundraising, programming, and community engagement. Anchored by initiatives like the “Portals into Our Future” exhibition, a first-of-its-kind regional Summer Studio Tour, and a milestone gala, the campaign expanded visibility while creating accessible, inclusive entry points to the arts. The campaign helped drive $1.2 million for capital improvements through the Waterfall Rising initiative, contributing to a 485% increase in development revenue. By pairing free public programming with strategic donor engagement, Waterfall Arts not only broadened participation across diverse audiences but also positioned the organization as a cultural and economic catalyst across midcoast Maine.
