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Maine Children's Trust Inc

Annual Giving
$10.5M
000

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,475,501 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 15 awards (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: ~$698,000
  • Total Revenue: $12.9 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $4.3 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Statewide (Maine)
  • Charity Navigator Rating: 4-Star (96%)

Contact Details

Website: www.mechildrenstrust.org

Phone: (207) 623-5120

Email: info@mechildrenstrust.org

Mailing Address: 56 Leighton Road, Augusta, ME 04330

Executive Director: Heidi Aakjer, MPA Email: heidia@mechildrenstrust.org

For Grant Inquiries: Contact the organization directly via phone or email to inquire about upcoming funding opportunities and be added to their mailing list for RFP announcements.

Overview

Maine Children's Trust was originally established by statute in 1985 as a state government entity and transformed into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1994, celebrating its 30th anniversary as a nonprofit in 2024. With total assets of $4.3 million and annual revenue of $12.9 million (2024), the organization distributed $10.5 million in grants across 15 awards in 2023. Their mission is to strengthen families, promote healthy relationships, and support communities to prevent child abuse and neglect before it occurs. The Trust serves as the statewide leader coordinating child abuse prevention efforts through funding, program support, and collaborative initiatives. Maine Children's Trust is designated as a Maine income tax checkoff recipient and has earned a prestigious 4-Star rating (96%) from Charity Navigator. The organization partners with Prevent Child Abuse America and the National Family Support Network, implementing evidence-based approaches like Parents as Teachers and the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework across all 16 Maine counties.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Maine Children's Trust primarily funds organizations through two main mechanisms:

Prevention Council Grants: Supports Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) Prevention Councils that have operated in Maine since the 1990s. The Trust has led statewide coordination efforts since 2015 under contract with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. These grants fund county-level coordinating entities that deliver free, evidence-based child abuse prevention programming. Funding amounts vary based on county needs and program scope.

Maine Families Home Visiting Program: Supports home visiting services offered to all families who are expecting or have a new baby. This program uses the Parents as Teachers model and Touchpoints approach to promote child and family well-being.

Grant Application Process: The Trust issues periodic Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for funding opportunities. Currently, there are no active RFPs. Interested organizations should contact the Trust directly to be added to their mailing list for future funding announcements.

Priority Areas

Maine Children's Trust actively funds programs that:

  • Implement Evidence-Based Models: Programs using Parents as Teachers, Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework, and other research-based approaches
  • Build Protective Factors: Initiatives that strengthen parental resilience, provide concrete supports, foster social connections, enhance knowledge of child development, and develop social-emotional competency in children
  • Provide Prevention Services: Primary and secondary child abuse and neglect prevention efforts through community-based parenting education and family support
  • Deliver County-Level Coordination: Prevention Councils that coordinate and deliver free programming across Maine's 16 counties
  • Offer Home Visiting Services: Evidence-based home visiting programs for families with young children
  • Support Training and Technical Assistance: Programs that build capacity among family-serving professionals and organizations
  • Promote Collaboration: Multi-agency partnerships that strengthen family support systems

The organization emphasizes programs that are "evidence-based" or "evidence-informed" and align with the Strengthening Families approach, which focuses on reducing risk factors while enhancing protective factors in families.

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not explicitly stated on their website, Maine Children's Trust's focus is narrowly defined:

  • Programs outside of Maine
  • Initiatives not focused on child abuse and neglect prevention
  • Programs lacking evidence-based or research-informed approaches
  • Organizations not aligned with the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework
  • Direct service provision (the Trust primarily funds other organizations rather than providing services directly, though they do coordinate statewide initiatives)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Heidi Aakjer, MPA serves as Executive Director. The 2024 fiscal year compensation for the Executive Director was $105,701, representing approximately 1% of total organizational expenses.

Board of Directors

Executive Committee:

  • Ben Gilman, Esq (Chair) - Drummond Woodsum
  • Anne Jordan, Esq (Vice Chair)
  • Gail Conley (Interim Treasurer & Secretary) - Kennebec Savings Bank
  • Charles Soltan, Esq (Executive Committee) - Soltan Bass, LLC
  • Christopher J. Pezzullo, D.O. (Executive Committee) - Clinical Director, Maine Primary Care Association

Board Members:

  • Michael Gahagan - Retired Caribou Police Department Chief
  • Bruce Gerrity, Esq - Preti Flaherty
  • Kim Russell - State Director, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Maine
  • Jeffrey Johnson - Executive Director, Children's Center
  • Senator Marianne Moore - Maine State Legislature
  • Danielle Langley - Executive Director, Aroostook Council for Healthy Families
  • Bobbi Johnson - Director, Office of Child & Family Services
  • Rileigh Blanchet - Social Services Director, Franklin County Children's Task Force
  • Mandie Pepperman - Senior Director, Sunrise Opportunities
  • Wendy Pace - Division Manager, Penquis
  • Representative Michele Meyer - Maine State Legislature
  • Mary Beth Mitchell, MEd - Maine State Police
  • Representative Lori Gramlich - Maine State Legislature
  • Dr. Puthiery Va - Maine CDC
  • Maribeth Canning - Maribeth Canning Consulting

The Board reflects strong representation from law enforcement, child welfare agencies, social service providers, and state government, demonstrating the Trust's collaborative approach to preventing child abuse.

Staff

The organization employs a dedicated team including:

  • Kara Parks - Finance & Operations Director
  • Denise Trafton, LSW - Prevention Training & Technical Assistance Coordinator
  • Diane Stuart - Office Manager
  • Ivory Mills - Maine Families Training & Technical Assistance Coordinator
  • Celine Richards - Maine Families Administrative Support Coordinator
  • Ruby Parker - Maine Families Performance Management Coordinator
  • Dawn Burley, LCSW - Maine Families Quality Assurance & Expansion Coordinator
  • Melissa Mitchell - Finance & Administrative Assistant
  • Allie Sirrine, LMSW - Prevention Initiatives Coordinator
  • Taylor Flagg - Prevention Program & Quality Assurance Coordinator
  • Molly Louison-Semrow - Maine Families Systems Coordinator

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Maine Children's Trust issues Requests for Proposals (RFPs) periodically for specific funding opportunities. Currently, there are no active RFPs.

Steps to Stay Informed:

  1. Join Their Mailing List: Contact the Trust to be added to their listserv for updates and announcements about future RFPs
  2. Monitor Their Website: Check www.mechildrenstrust.org/rfp.asp regularly for new funding opportunities
  3. Direct Contact: Reach out proactively to discuss potential alignment

Pre-Application Consultation: Organizations considering applying are encouraged to contact the Trust before an RFP is released to discuss program alignment and build relationships.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines vary by funding opportunity and are detailed in each RFP. The Trust coordinates closely with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, which provides much of their funding for Prevention Council grants.

Success Rates

Based on available data:

  • 2023: 15 grants awarded totaling $10,475,501
  • 2022: 15 grants awarded
  • 2021: 18 grants awarded

The relatively small number of annual grants (15-18) and large average grant size (~$698,000) suggest that the Trust funds established programs and organizations with proven track records rather than making numerous small grants. This indicates a competitive but substantial funding opportunity for organizations that align well with their mission.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly stated. Many of the Trust's grants support ongoing programs (Prevention Councils, Maine Families Home Visiting), suggesting that successful grantees may receive multi-year or renewable funding. Organizations should contact the Trust directly to understand reapplication opportunities and expectations.

Application Success Factors

Evidence-Based Programming is Essential

Maine Children's Trust explicitly requires evidence-based or evidence-informed approaches. Successful applicants should clearly demonstrate:

  • Use of recognized models like Parents as Teachers, Touchpoints, or other evidence-based home visiting or parenting education programs
  • Implementation fidelity to chosen models
  • Integration of the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework
  • Data collection and evaluation capabilities

Alignment with Protective Factors Framework

The organization serves as Maine's state lead for the Center for Study on Social Policy's Strengthening Families approach. Applications should explicitly address how programs build the five protective factors:

  1. Parental Resilience - How the program fosters inner strength in caregivers
  2. Concrete Supports - How families access needed resources
  3. Social Connections - How community relationships are built
  4. Knowledge of Child Development - How parents are supported through developmental stages
  5. Social-Emotional Competency of Children - How emotional understanding is taught

Statewide Reach and County-Level Impact

Given the Trust's role in coordinating efforts across all 16 Maine counties, successful applicants often demonstrate:

  • Capacity to serve a specific geographic region or county
  • Collaboration with other community organizations
  • Ability to reach diverse populations
  • Free service delivery to families

Collaboration and Systems Building

The Trust values partnerships and collaborative approaches. Strong applications will show:

  • Existing relationships with child welfare agencies, health care providers, schools, and other family-serving organizations
  • Participation in local or regional collaborative initiatives
  • Willingness to share data and participate in statewide evaluation efforts
  • Integration with existing prevention infrastructure

Organizational Capacity and Sustainability

With large average grant sizes, the Trust funds established organizations that can manage significant contracts. Demonstrate:

  • Organizational stability and fiscal management capacity
  • Qualified, trained staff
  • Commitment to ongoing training and quality improvement
  • Ability to meet reporting and data requirements

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Build relationships early: With only 15 grants awarded annually and no current RFPs, proactive relationship building with Trust staff is essential. Contact them well before applying to discuss program alignment.

  • Evidence-based approaches are non-negotiable: Your program must use recognized, evidence-based or evidence-informed models. Be prepared to demonstrate implementation fidelity and evaluation capacity.

  • Frame proposals around protective factors: Explicitly connect your program activities to one or more of the five Strengthening Families protective factors. Use this language throughout your application.

  • Emphasize collaboration and coordination: Show how your organization works with others in the prevention ecosystem. The Trust values county-level coordination and multi-agency partnerships.

  • Demonstrate capacity for large grants: With an average grant size of ~$698,000, the Trust funds substantial programs. Ensure your organization has the infrastructure, staffing, and fiscal management capacity to handle significant funding.

  • Focus on prevention, not intervention: The Trust's mission is to prevent child abuse before it occurs through strengthening families. Programs should emphasize primary and secondary prevention rather than crisis intervention or treatment.

  • Highlight free, accessible services: The Trust emphasizes that all Prevention Council services are free to families. Show how your program removes barriers to participation and reaches families who might not otherwise access support.

References

  1. Maine Children's Trust Official Website - www.mechildrenstrust.org (Accessed November 2025)

  2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Maine Children's Trust Inc (EIN: 01-0492479) https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/10492479 Form 990 filings showing financial data and grant distributions (Accessed November 2025)

  3. Charity Navigator - Maine Childrens Trust Inc Rating (96%, 4-Star) https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/010492479 (Accessed November 2025)

  4. Cause IQ - Maine Children's Trust Incorporated https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/maine-childrens-trust-incorporated,010492479/ Financial data for fiscal years 2023-2024 (Accessed November 2025)

  5. Instrumentl 990 Report - Maine Children's Trust Incorporated https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/maine-childrens-trust-inc Grant distribution data: 15 awards totaling $10,475,501 in 2023 (Accessed November 2025)

  6. Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Preventing Child Abuse https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/support-for-families/child-welfare/preventing-child-abuse Information about Maine's child abuse prevention infrastructure and Maine Children's Trust's role (Accessed November 2025)

  7. Prevent Child Abuse America - Maine Chapter https://preventchildabuse.org/chapters/maine/ Information about Maine Children's Trust as the state's Prevent Child Abuse America chapter (Accessed November 2025)

  8. Maine Children's Trust 2024 Annual Report - "Celebrating 30 Years!" https://www.mechildrenstrust.org/docs/2024%20Maine%20Childrens%20Trust%20Annual%20Report.pdf (Accessed November 2025)

  9. Maine Revised Statutes Title 22, Chapter 1058: Maine Children's Trust Incorporated https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/22/title22ch1058.pdf Statutory framework establishing the Trust's role and responsibilities (Accessed November 2025)

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