Volunteer Maine awarded more than $130K to bolster emergency volunteer response to COVID-19

Award will lead to the creation of new capacity building training for smaller community agencies in need of additional volunteer support

AUGUSTA -- ­New federal monies awarded to Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, will support increased training for small community organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that they can continue to serve Mainers in need.

In addition, Volunteer Maine will use the funding to encourage at least 500 new volunteers willing to register to respond to emergencies through the state’s disaster volunteer response platform, MaineReady.Org.

Volunteer Maine received this funding through the George H. W. Bush Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF), an initiative established by Congress in 2009 to bolster volunteer infrastructure in critical areas. The service commission will receive its $132,958 award in October 2020. This federal investment will be matched with $47,341 in public and private funding.

Volunteer Maine will utilize the monies to:

  • Offer increased support to Maine's small community agencies with comprehensive volunteer management training and technical assistance
  • Provide technical assistance to volunteer programs needing to re-form and re-establish volunteer activities due to COVID-19
  • Support expanded emergency volunteer efforts by encouraging 500 new volunteers to respond through MaineReady.Org
  • Provide training to agency staff around the use of MaineReady.Org
  • Launch a statewide public awareness campaign to promote volunteerism supporting ongoing needs related to pandemic response and recovery


"The pandemic has upended the way many volunteer programs operate. Maine's community agencies rely on the support of dedicated volunteers to deliver services, but many are scrambling to change how they deliver service because volunteers and customers cannot interact as they have in the past." said Volunteer Maine Executive Director Maryalice Crofton. "This funding will allow us to provide volunteer leaders with critical training and technical support to adapt to this new volunteer management environment."

Information about upcoming training opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks. Those interested can also check the Volunteer Maine website (MaineServiceCommission.Gov) for updates.

About Volunteer Maine

Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, builds capacity and sustainability in Maine's volunteer sector by funding service programs, developing volunteer managers and service-learning practitioners, raising awareness of the scope and the impact of the volunteer sector, and encouraging an ethic of service. On Oct. 16, 2019, the Maine Commission for Community Service adopted the public identity Volunteer Maine. Visit MaineServiceCommission.Gov to learn more.     

About the Volunteer Generation Fund

The George H. W. Bush Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) is a grant program funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Under the 2009 Serve America Act, VGF was established to provide funding through State Service Commissions to strengthen local volunteer programs and expands volunteerism in areas where it has not yet fully developed. With funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service, the purpose of a Maine VGF grant is to provide support to volunteer programs in the State that are providing service in three focus areas: Aging in place, transportation services, and food security and assistance.        

Media contact

Bryan Roche, communications officer
Volunteer Maine
Office: (207) 624-7836
Cell: (207) 446-3471
Email: bryan.roche@maine.gov

View additional media coverage:

"Volunteer Maine awarded federal funds to support emergency volunteer response" -- Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel -- view here

Categories
The Commission
Training and Professional Development
Volunteer Leadership