The Community Building Grant Program of the Maine Community Foundation recently awarded $99,231 in grants to 18 organizations across Maine.

Among the funded organizations was the Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation of Augusta. Officials plan to use the grant to plan and build a sustainable community garden at the South Gardiner Head Start Center.

The Kennebec Valley Art Association of Hallowell plan to use funds for a board retreat to create a strategic plan and for technical assistance for an artist affordable housing project.

The Maine State Housing Authority of Augusta will fund a study examining the cost of homelessness.

A committee made up of community leaders from around the state reviews proposals and makes recommendations twice a year. The next deadline for submitting applications to the Community Building Grant Program is Jan. 15, 2009.

For more information about the program contact Lelia De Andrade at 761-2440 or ldeandrade@mainecf.org.

To find out how to donate to the program fund or establish a county committee in a region not currently covered by the Maine Community Foundation's County and Regional Program, please contact Laura Young, Vice President of advancement & regional networks, at 761-2440.