For twenty years, islanders helping islanders.
Since 2003, the Peaks Island Fund has been providing invaluable funding for island organizations. In that time we’ve distributed more than $900,000 — underwriting early childhood education and the Island School, culture and the arts, social services, health care, historic and environmental preservation, affordable housing — the list goes on (and on!) The support we offer touches every islander, enriches our community, and protects the things we treasure about our home.
The generous contributions of islanders like you makes all of this possible. Every gift makes a crucial difference.
Over 400 island residents have participated by contributing to the Peaks Island Fund
The Fund has given more than $900,000 to island organizations, and has an endowment of $1 million
The Peaks Island Fund has supported more than 43 different island organizations
Initiated by a group of islanders in 2003, the Fund has become an essential part of island life
Over 400 island residents have participated by contributing to the Peaks Island Fund
The Fund has given more than $900,000 to island organizations, and has an endowment of $1 million
The Peaks Island Fund has supported more than 43 different island organizations
Initiated by a group of islanders in 2003, the Fund has become an essential part of island life
Over 400 island residents have participated by contributing to the Peaks Island Fund
The Fund has given more than $900,000 to island organizations, and has an endowment of $1 million
The Peaks Island Fund has supported more than 43 different island organizations
Initiated by a group of islanders in 2003, the Fund has become an essential part of island life
Coming up
This will be a big year for the Fund! Currently, some worthy funding requests go unanswered, so we’re actively building our endowment (to $2 million, $5 million and beyond) to provide more financial support. Also, we’ll be leaving the Maine Community Foundation (our longtime administrative home) to become an independent organization, so we can manage our grant program on our own and be even more responsive to the island’s needs. And we’ve moved our application process to our own new website, where it is more accessible than ever.
Whatever you cherish most about Peaks Island, the Peaks Island Fund provides a great opportunity to nourish and protect it.
This year’s grantees
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Fifth Maine | Regiment Museum
The Fifth Maine was awarded support to update the building’s porch railings, which were considered adequate when constructed in 1888 but needed to be brought into compliance with contemporary building code, improving their safety. Awarded: $8,018.
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Illustration | Institute
In 2023, Illustration Institute requested funding to cover expanded programming, a part-time summer organizational assistant, advertising and marketing costs for greater outreach, and stipends for fifteen artists-in-residence. Awarded: $8,018.
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Island Compost | Project
The Compost Project collects island food waste and delivers it to Portland’s composting program — reducing pollution, landfill use, and greenhouse gas production. Ultimately, the Compost Project aims to create a permanent, on-island composting facility. Awarded: $1,586.
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Island Transportation | System
For years, an network of islanders volunteered to drive islanders in need. In 2009, the ITS was formed to provide more comprehensive service. ITS seeks to replace its aging gasoline-engine vehicle with a new electric SUV, to keep service reliable while reducing its carbon footprint. Awarded: $5,518.
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New Brackett | Memorial Church
With its building in daily use by a host of organizations — from after-school programs to vaccination clinics — the church foots an enormous energy bill on behalf of the wider community. Funds are to install insulation to cut heating costs, and for an energy consultant to create a long-term efficiency plan for the building, including solar power generation. Awarded: $14,660.
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Peaks Island | Children’s Workshop
The Children’s Workshop continues to face rising costs and budget shortfalls, even as it strives to expand services for island parents. The Workshop requested financial support crucial for retaining its extraordinary faculty and staff, while it continues to explore options for long-term sustainability, including extending capacity. Awarded: $15,000.
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Peaks Island | Elementary School
Funding will used for two programs. The school will host a visit from Len Cabral, an internationally acclaimed storyteller who will work with students, host a workshop for faculty and hold an event for the community. The grant will also support an after-school club devoted to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) activities. Awarded: $7,692.
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Peaks Island | Health Center
The Health Center was established in 1976 as a non-profit organization by Peaks Island volunteers. Today, in collaboration with Maine Medical Partners, it continues to provide medical care crucial to island sustainability. Funds will be used to replace a printer/fax machine so records can be easily transmitted to offices on the mainland. Awarded: $2,000.
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Peaks Island | Historical Society
The Historical Society preserves and promotes our island’s rich history. Society volunteers have engaged in a project to restore the long-neglected Ye Olde Trott Burying Ground — the oldest on Peaks — by clearing overgrowth, rebuilding a stone wall, and replacing a rail fence. Funding will be used for cedar fencing materials. Awarded: $5,518.
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Peaks Island | News
The Island Times was a vital part of island life until it closed ten years ago. To fill that void, a team of islanders are launching the Peaks Island News, a new paper that will be distributed bi-monthly at first, and more frequently later. The News aims to engage and connect our community through news, feature stories and photos about the island. Awarded: $8,018.
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Umbrella Cover | Museum
The Umbrella Cover Museum is a famously quirky museum “celebrating the mundane,” and well-established as a must-see destination on Peaks. It displays the world’s largest collection of umbrella covers, and visitors are treated to founder Nancy 3. Hoffman’s accordion theme song. Funds will help pay the salaries of two part-time student interns. Awarded: $972.