The River Fund Maine

The River Fund Maine will strive to maintain an active portfolio of programs in The three areas that are defined by our mission: education, recreation, and community outreach. To ensure both focus and achievability, trfm does not envision large, free-standing "community" projects, but rather believes that The greatest impact can be made by forging a shared commitment among all three community population segments and other local philanthropic groups to achieve common goals. As a result, trfm's areas of primary interest will remain: The identification and nurturing of future community leaders through a high-impact college scholarship program that is awarded to a local high school senior on The basis of academic achievement, leadership and community involvement. While "need" is an eligibility requirement, it is not a selection requirement. The desired outcome is a population of local students who are intellectually and emotionally prepared to become The leaders of The next generation. The development of entrepreneurial and problem-solving skills in 9-12th grade students through immersive workshop experiences. The desired outcome is The development of assessment, analytical and problem-solving skills in The participants and an increase in their confidence in confronting hitherto unknown and difficult challenges. The desired outcome is The development of life-skills in The students. The increased awareness of diverse career opportunities, and encouragement of career sampling, through mentorships and internships before and during students' undergraduate careers. By harnessing The networks of The well- educated, affluent, second homeowner population, and connecting opportunities with local students, The desired outcome is The implementation of a communication tool, and subsequent pipeline connecting local students with career opportunities available within and beyond our community. The engendering of heightened educational and employment aspiration among The local student population, many of whom have limited exposure to opportunities outside their current environment. The desired outcome is broadening The economic future for The next generation of The community's children. The effective creation and utilization of recreational assets to provide environments where children and youth can be physical active, emotionally nurtured, and responsibly coached. The desired outcomes are (a) The development of healthy children who learn to value physical activity as a vehicle for physical and emotional wellness, and (b) The creation of recreational assets that bring economic value to The region. The growth of awareness about job opportunities that are forward-looking, sustainable and economically viable. The us department of education has frequently called out The link between education and both higher employment rates and earnings. Thus, in order to fully support our youth, trfm must be willing to go, when necessary, slightly outside its core charter to invest in creating learning environments for both adults and families as well as for youth. The desired outcome is The creation of sustainable job skills for The local population. The support for shorter-term community-based projects that fall within The purview of trfm's mission. Support, however, is limited to organizations and groups; no individuals awards will be made. The desired outcome is an immediate response to a pressing community need that has broad appeal. The River Fund Maine does not believe that programs in any these areas need be independent of one another. Cross-purpose projects and programs will, in fact, be given priority as will any program that is developed collaboratively with other organization(s). The programs have been developed sequentially beginning with those in The education area. This area was selected for initial focus because of high scores on community need, community commitment, impact, marketability, and ease of implementation. Three other factors contributed to The decision to make education The initial focus: (1) education is well supported by external foundations from whom trfm can solicit support, (2) bethel has a history of involvement with education, and (3) because of The high number of teachers and well-educated second-home owners who live in The area. The intent was to roll out an initial, high impact and high visibility, "flagship" program that could serve as a rallying point for initial fundraising. This was accomplished with The scholarship program which has, as of 2021, named two River Fund Maine scholars and supported by two highly successful workshops held in 2019 and 2021. The intent is to achieve an investment steady-state in The educational arena within The next five years. Beginning with data collection and analysis in 2021 and full development in 2022, The River Fund Maine will initiate its second major target area, The recreation portfolio. The recreation programs will begin with smaller sponsored outdoor activities and culminate in The construction of an indoor children's playground and water play facility. Such a program will: (1) meet a completely unfulfilled need, (2) serve all three community segments, (3) be a four-season asset, (4) provide a hub for The development of additional recreational/health programs, and (5) make The area more attractive to additional investors and visitors. Because such a project is costly, resource intensive and unlikely to be staffed by volunteers, this will be The largest consumer of trfm's resources in The next five to ten-year time frame.