Heart of Maine United Way
Heart of Maine United Way is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Bangor, Maine, serving as the largest private funder in its six-county region. Founded in 1937, the organization has operated for over 85 years, mobilizing communities to improve the lives of children, families, and seniors through strategic funding and community programs. The organization is also known as United Way of Eastern Maine.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.5M
+0.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$889K
-8.2% YoY
Grant Count
37
-9.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
+1.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Building Better Communities.
Heart of Maine United Way unites communities in Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington counties to improve lives and dismantle systemic barriers. The organization serves approximately 1 in 3 neighbors annually across its six-county region, with an estimated population of 345,656.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Basic needs and self-sufficiency
- Substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery support
- Early childhood education and quality learning experiences
Grantmaking
Heart of Maine United Way operates through multiple strategic funding mechanisms aligned with its **Opportunity 2028** initiative:
Review Cycle
- Encourages creative solutions aligned with Bold Goals
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Heart of Maine United Way serves six counties in Eastern Maine:
- Hancock County
- Penobscot County
- Piscataquis County
- Somerset County
- Waldo County
- Washington County
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Revenues: $2,399,405
- Total Expenses: $2,263,073
- Total Assets: $5,519,444
- Number of Employees: 11
Organization Status:
- IRS Ruling Year: 1959
- EIN: 01-0211478
- Tax-exempt status confirmed
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,519,444 | $5,478,549 | $5,339,304 |
| Revenue | $2,399,405 | $2,428,940 | $2,989,676 |
| Expenses | $2,263,073 | $2,304,205 | $2,250,284 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $509,706 | $409,431 | $412,371 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
182 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Heart of Maine United Way
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Jessamine Pottle (Chair) – Haley Ward Inc.
- Wendy Durrah (Vice Chair) – Bangor Savings Bank
- Kristen Perry (Treasurer) – BerryDunn
- Kendra Overlock (Secretary) – Versant Power
- Molly Briggs (Campaign Chair) – Epstein Commercial Real Estate
Additional board members include representatives from Northern Light Health, Husson University, Christine B. Foundation, R.H. Foster Energy LLC, Helping Hands with Heart, St. Joseph Healthcare, Darling's Auto Group, Maine Community College System, and other regional organizations.
Staff Leadership:
- Shirar Patterson – President and CEO
- Matt Donahue – President & CEO (announced as new leadership)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIN BARRY | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JESSAMINE POTTLE | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| KRISTEN PERRY | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| DOUG MICHAEL | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| PAT KIMBALL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RON RUSSELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER SHAW | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHIRAR PATTERSON | PRESIDENT & | 40 | $111,642 |
| WENDY DURRAH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GERRY FORD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KENDRA OVERLOCK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SUE MACKEY ANDREWS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DEB SANFORD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PAIGE WILCOX | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATT DEXTER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DEBBIE LAURIE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SANDY NESIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN POND | CAMPAIGN CHA | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Office Relocation & Community Hub (2025)**
Heart of Maine United Way is relocating from its Main Street location in Bangor to 700 Mount Hope Avenue, Suite 101. The new space will serve as "The Community: Maine's Nonprofit Hub," providing office space and collaborative facilities for other nonprofits in the region. The total project cost is $1.7 million, with over $1 million already raised. The facility will support meetings, events, and training for the nonprofit community.
Heart of Maine United Way providing more than $2.3M to nonprofits**Leadership Transition**
Matt Donahue was announced as the new President & CEO of Heart of Maine United Way.
Heart of Maine United Way providing more than $2.3M to nonprofits**Hiring**
The organization is actively recruiting for a Director of Administration & Governance position.
**Heating Assistance Programs**
Heart of Maine United Way is accepting applications for heating assistance and heating repair programs for the upcoming heating season.
Heart of Maine United Way providing more than $2.3M to nonprofits**Corporate Recognition**
The organization recognizes workplace campaign supporters at multiple levels:
**Platinum:** Haley Ward, Inc.
**Gold:** Bangor Savings Bank, BerryDunn, Changing Seasons FCU, Galen Cole Family Foundation, Heart of Maine United Way, Maine Savings, Skowhegan Savings Bank
Heart of Maine United Way providing more than $2.3M to nonprofits**Silver:** Bangor Water District, Darling's, Hannaford, Means Wealth Management, Penobscot Community Health Care, Sargent Corporation, The County Federal Credit Union, Versant Power, Wellspring
**Bronze:** Multiple organizations including BBSC CPAs, Brewer Schools, Bucksport Regional Health Center, City of Bangor, City of Old Town, Eastern Maine Community College, and others
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Grand Chapter of Maine Order of the Eastern Star
AUGUSTA, ME
Assets
$2.9M
Grants
1
Total Given
$5K
Bangor Theological Seminary
PORTLAND, ME
Assets
$22.4M
Grants
3
Total Given
$11K
Maine Hospital Association Inc
AUGUSTA, ME
Assets
$8.0M
Grants
1
Total Given
$10K
Bowery Beach School Bldg Maintenance Tr
SOUTH PORTLAND, ME
Assets
$29K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
United Way of Tri Vally Area
FARMINGTON, ME
Assets
$306K
Grants
13
Total Given
$77K
Elmina B Sewall Foundation
FREEPORT, ME
Assets
$164.8M
Grants
296
Total Given
$14.4M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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