Maine’s non-profits are the backbone of community support, tackling everything from social issues to environmental protection and cultural preservation.
This guide takes a closer look at the leading and the best non-profit organizations in Maine making a difference, and shows how they’re improving life for Mainers.
Whether you’re interested in supporting these organizations, seeking their services, or considering starting a non-profit organization in Maine yourself, this resource provides valuable insights into the diverse landscape of Maine 501c3 organizations and their work throughout the state.
List of Top Non-Profit Organizations in Maine
1. Maine Coast Heritage Trust
- Category: Environmental Conservation
- Address: 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 201, Topsham, ME 04086
- Established: 1970
- Impact: Protected over 150,000 acres of coastal land, created 150+ public preserves, and maintained 125+ conservation easements
- Website: mcht.org
Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) stands as one of the state’s premier land conservation organizations.
Their work preserves critical coastal habitats, ensures public access to the shoreline, and protects Maine’s distinctive coastal communities and working waterfronts.
Their Maine Land Trust Program provides resources and support for local conservation initiatives statewide.
2. Natural Resources Council of Maine
- Category: Environmental Conservation
- Address: 3 Wade Street, Augusta, ME 04330
- Established: 1959
- Impact: Instrumental in removing the Edwards Dam, establishing the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and advocating for numerous environmental protection policies
- Website: nrcm.org
As Maine’s leading environmental advocacy organization, the Natural Resources Council of Maine works to protect, restore, and conserve the state’s environment through policy initiatives, community education, and public engagement.
Their programs address climate change, clean energy, healthy waters, forests, and wildlife conservation.
3. Goog Shepherd Food Bank
- Category: Social Services
- Address: 3121 Hotel Road, Auburn, ME 04210
- Established: 1981
- Impact: Distributes over 25 million meals annually to 200+ partner agencies; reaches all 16 Maine counties
- Website: gsfb.org
As the largest hunger-relief organization in Maine, Good Shepherd Food Bank works with a network of partner agencies to address food insecurity throughout the state.
Their innovative programs include Mainers Feeding Mainers, which purchases food directly from local farmers, and their Food Mobile program, which reaches remote and underserved communities.
4. Preble Street
- Category: Social Services
- Address: 38 Preble Street, Portland, ME 04101
- Established: 1975
- Impact: Serves 400,000+ meals annually; provides housing assistance to 600+ individuals; operates multiple shelters and resource centers
- Website: preblestreet.org
Preble Street stands as one of the most significant non-profits in Portland, Maine, addressing homelessness, hunger, and poverty through direct service programs and advocacy.
Their comprehensive approach includes emergency food services, housing support, anti-trafficking programs, and veteran housing services throughout southern Maine.
5. Maine Health Access Foundation
- Category: Healthcare & Wellness
- Address: 150 Capitol Street, Suite 4, Augusta, ME 04330
- Established: 2000
- Impact: Awarded over $80 million in grants; improved healthcare access for hundreds of thousands of Mainers
- Website: mehaf.org
As Maine’s largest healthcare foundation, the Maine Health Access Foundation works to promote access to quality healthcare, especially for underserved populations.
Their strategic priorities include advancing rural health transformation, promoting social determinants of health, and addressing health equity throughout the state.
6. Maine Medical Center Research Institute
- Category: Healthcare & Wellness
- Address: 81 Research Drive, Scarborough, ME 04074
- Established: 1991
- Impact: Conducts research across multiple disciplines with more than $20 million in annual federal funding
- Website: mmcri.org
The Maine Medical Center Research Institute represents a significant contributor to biomedical research in northern New England.
Their scientists conduct basic, translational, and clinical research to advance healthcare outcomes and develop innovative treatments for patients in Maine and beyond.
7. Maine State Music Theatre
- Category: Arts & Culture
- Address: 22 Elm Street, Brunswick, ME 04011
- Established: 1959
- Impact: Reaches 80,000+ patrons annually; provides arts education to thousands of students
- Website: msmt.org
For over six decades, Maine State Music Theatre has enriched the cultural landscape of Maine through professional musical theater productions and education programs.
Their performances attract visitors from throughout New England, contributing significantly to the local economy while fostering appreciation for the performing arts.
8. Portland Museum of Art
- Category: Arts & Culture
- Address: 7 Congress Square, Portland, ME 04101
- Established: 1882
- Impact: Welcomes 180,000+ visitors annually; maintains a collection of 18,000+ objects
- Website: portlandmuseum.org
As one of the premier cultural institutions in non-profit Portland Maine, the Portland Museum of Art celebrates artistic excellence through its diverse collection, educational programming, and community engagement initiatives.
Their commitment to accessibility has made visual arts available to audiences throughout Maine and beyond.
9. Island Institute
- Category: Education & Youth Development
- Address: 386 Main Street, Rockland, ME 04841
- Established: 1983
- Impact: Serves 120+ coastal and island communities; provided $6.5+ million in loans and grants to island businesses
- Website: islandinstitute.org
The Island Institute works to sustain Maine’s island and coastal communities through education, community development, and economic support.
Their initiatives include the Island Fellows Program, which places recent college graduates in community service positions, and their Aquaculture Business Development Program, which supports sustainable coastal livelihoods.
10. Maine Seacoast Mission
- Category: Education & Youth Development
- Address: 127 West Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
- Established: 1905
- Impact: Serves 10,000+ individuals annually across coastal and island communities
- Website: seacoastmission.org
For over a century, the Maine Seacoast Mission has provided health, education, and community services to the state’s most isolated coastal and island communities.
Their programs include the Sunbeam vessel, which delivers healthcare services to remote islands, and their EdGE youth development program, which serves students in Washington County.
11. Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI)
- Category: Economic Development
- Address: 30 Federal Street, Brunswick, ME 04011
- Established: 1977
- Impact: Financed 2,900+ businesses; created or preserved 40,000+ jobs; developed 2,000+ affordable housing units
- Website: ceimaine.org
CEI represents one of Maine’s most influential community development financial institutions.
Their integrated approach combines financing, business advice, and policy solutions to create economic opportunity for people and places at the margins.
Their focus areas include sustainable agriculture, fisheries, renewable energy, and affordable housing.
12. Maine Development Foundation
- Category: Economic Development
- Address: 2 Beech Street, Suite 203, Hallowell, ME 04347
- Established: 1978
- Impact: Trained 2,000+ leaders through Leadership Maine; conducted economic research supporting policy development
- Website: mdf.org
The Maine Development Foundation works to drive sustainable, long-term economic growth in Maine through leadership development, trusted research, and community-building initiatives.
Their programs include Leadership Maine, the Maine Economic Growth Council, and policy development initiatives addressing the state’s most pressing economic challenges.
13. The Opportunity Alliance
- Address: 50 Lydia Lane, South Portland, ME 04106
- Established: 1965 (as People’s Regional Opportunity Program)
- Impact: Serves 20,000+ individuals annually through 40+ programs
- Website: opportunityalliance.org
The Opportunity Alliance is one of the top non-profit organizations in Maine provides comprehensive services addressing poverty, mental health, and early childhood development throughout Cumberland County.
Their integrated approach supports individuals and families across the lifespan.
14. Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center
- Address: 24 Preble Street, 3rd Floor, Portland, ME 04101
- Established: 2017
- Impact: Supports 2,000+ immigrants annually through language acquisition, economic integration, and civic engagement programs
- Website: welcomeimmigrant.org
This relatively new organization has quickly established itself as a vital resource for Maine’s growing immigrant population.
They also provide language programs, co-working space for immigrant entrepreneurs, and civic engagement initiatives.
Key Information to Starting a Non-profit in Maine
For those interested in starting a nonprofit in Maine, several key steps and requirements should be considered:
- Formation Requirements:
- File Articles of Incorporation with the Maine Secretary of State ($40 filing fee)
- Create organizational bylaws
- Apply for an EIN from the IRS
- Submit Form 1023 or 1023-EZ for federal tax exemption ($275-$600)
- Register with the Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation if soliciting donations
- Governance Requirements:
- Maintain a minimum of 3 board members (recommended but not legally required)
- Hold regular board meetings with recorded minutes
- Establish conflict of interest policies
- File annual reports with the Secretary of State ($85 annual fee)
- Submit IRS Form 990 annually
- Support Resources:
- Maine Association of Nonprofits provides training, resources, and networking
- Maine Community Foundation offers capacity-building grants for new nonprofits
- Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project provides legal assistance to qualifying organizations
The complete process typically takes 3-8 months and costs between $500-$2,000 depending on complexity and whether professional assistance is utilized.
Conclusion
The nonprofits in Maine highlighted in this guide represent just a fraction of the vibrant and diverse 501c3 organizations serving communities throughout the state.
From environmental conservation to social services, healthcare, arts, education, and economic development, these organizations address critical needs while contributing significantly to Maine’s economy and quality of life.
For those interested in supporting these organizations, opportunities range from financial contributions and volunteering to board service and professional pro bono assistance.
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