Mainebiz has announced the finalists for its inaugural Community Impact Awards, a new statewide recognition program celebrating the organizations, leaders and collaborations making a lasting difference in Maine communities. Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust and Queerly ME are up for Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year, as is Damariscotta-based Healthy Kids with Community Concepts, Maine Children’s Trust, Franklin County Children’s Task Force and Kennebec Valley Community Action Program. Tedford Housing in Brunswick is up for the Campaign Excellence Award.
Honorees will be recognized during an awards luncheon at 11 a.m. June 10 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. Event registration is open at mainebiz.biz/event/community-impact/.
Award recipients and finalists will be featured in the June 15 issue of Mainebiz, reaching business leaders and decision-makers statewide.
Finalists represent a broad cross-section of Maine’s nonprofit and business landscape, from community development organizations and corporate partners to volunteers and collaborative initiatives tackling some of the state’s most pressing challenges. The awards spotlight the growing impact of partnerships between nonprofits and the business community, honoring organizations and individuals whose leadership, volunteerism, philanthropy, advocacy and innovation are helping strengthen Maine.
2026 Community Impact Awards finalists:
• Corporate Champion of the Year – Recognizing a for-profit organization demonstrating exceptional support of nonprofit organizations through philanthropy, employee engagement, fundraising and community investment. Finalists: Androscoggin Bank, Boulos, Central Maine Power.
• Legacy of Service – Honoring leaders whose lifelong commitment to volunteerism, mentorship, board leadership and philanthropy has positively impacted communities across Maine. Finalists: Alexander “Sandy” Buck, Gena Canning, Cary Olson Cartwright.
• In-Kind Services Support – Recognizing organizations providing critical professional expertise, materials and pro bono services that help nonprofits expand their impact. Finalists: Headlight Audio Visual Inc., Systems Engineering.
• Volunteer of the Year – Celebrating individuals whose dedication, leadership and generosity of time have strengthened nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. Finalists: Caroline Niederman, Karin Otto.
• Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year – Honoring innovative partnerships between nonprofit organizations working together to address community needs and create measurable impact. Finalists: Brunswick Topsham Land Trust and Queerly ME; Community Concepts, Healthy Kids, Maine Children’s Trust, Franklin County Children’s Task Force and KVCAP; Portland Gear Hub and United Recovery Fund.
• Campaign Excellence – Recognizing nonprofit organizations that executed impactful fundraising, advocacy, operational or awareness campaigns during the past year. Finalists: Maine Credit Union League, Tedford Housing, Waterfall Arts.
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