Nonprofits

Avesta Housing, based in Portland, is the largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in northern New England.

At a ribbon-cutting this week for the new food pantry at 443C Western Ave., Town & Country Federal Credit Union announced a $5,000 donation to the nonprofit.

As Mainebiz gets ready to celebrate 2026’s Business Leaders of the Year for their accomplishments and contributions to Maine’s economy, we checked in with some of last year’s honorees to ask about their leadership advice for this year’s winner

Portland’s East Bayside neighborhood will be gaining a total of 173 affordable apartments over the next two years, with the redevelopment of the Comb Block.

“Finding the right location was critical as we worked to bring MOXIE Public Schools to life,” said the school’s director. The building offers accessibility, infrastructure and space.

Jennifer Hutchins of the Maine Association of Nonprofits is among four women who will the honored in the 2026 WE Rock! Awards to celebrate female professionals making a powerful and lasting impact across the region.

Doug Welch brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience to the position, including 17 years as executive director of the Maine Island Trail Association.

To mark Women’s History Month this March nd International Women’s Day on March 8, Mainebiz asked a handful of leaders to share learnings from elder female family members and other women in their lives.

VIP customers in all five New England states with VIP locations also donated to the organization, raising a grand total of $320,000 in 2025.

The facility features great lighting, plenty of space, flexible-height workstations on wheels and a forklift. The team is hearing comments from recipients about how much they appreciate not having to wait in their cars lined up in the street.