Maine Island Grant Forum is an on-line forum for people working to sustain Maine's year-round island communities, sponsored and moderated by the Damariscotta-based Genesis Community Loan Fund.

In March 2006, the US Department of Agriculture's Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) awarded the Genesis Fund a $300,000 grant (over three years) to provide financial and technical assistance to eight island non-profit organizations to assist with the creation of affordable housing and economic and community development. The organizations are

Cranberry Isles Realty Trust
Island Commons Resource Center (Chebeague)
Isle au Haut Community Development Corporation
Islesboro Affordable Property
Monhegan Island Sustainable Community Association
North Haven Sustainable Housing
Town of Long Island
Vinalhaven Eldercare Services

This on-line forum will provide the people working with these organizations a place to post resources, exchange ideas and share progress toward their goals.

A key focus of The Genesis Fund's involvement will be to assist the residents of Maine's island communities to successfully apply for funding for future projects.

You may visit the Forum at http://genesisfund.wordpress.com or for more information about The Genesis Fund, please visit our website.