Meet Maine’s Attorney General, Aaron Frey, and learn about scams, frauds, and consumer protection. This one-hour program will begin at 6:00 pm on September 17 and last about an hour, ending with a question-and-answer session. Hosted by our House Representatives for Districts 52 and 98, which cover Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Durham, Lisbon, Perkins Island Township, Pownal, and Richmond.
The Grange is non-partisan but works to keep people informed about what is happening around us.
FMI: Marilyn Stinson Enterprise Grange #48 is located at 15 Alexander Reed Road, Richmond, Maine.
With the disclaimer that I’m not a tax expert, I’m pleased to offer some general information regarding nonprofits, charities, and 501(c)3 status in response to a few recent questions. These are distinctions you need to understand, how they apply to the Grange, and here’s why creating your own foundation probably isn’t the simple solution you might imagine.
I’m also president of a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization (not affiliated with the Grange) that is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. I have some experience and familiarity with the topic.
Frankly, this topic gets complicated quickly. We start with some vocabulary. A nonprofit is not the same as a 501(c)(3) charity. All 501(c)(3) charities are nonprofits, but not all nonprofits are charities. Nonprofits also include social clubs, trade associations, and chambers of commerce.
Nonprofits are broad legal entities that pursue a mission without distributing profits. They are created under state law. The Grange is a nonprofit, but it does not qualify for 501(c) (3) status.
501(c)(3) status may be granted to charities by the IRS at the federal level. It means the organization is free (exempt) from paying federal income taxes. People who give money to these organizations can deduct those gifts from their own taxes. (There are limitations.)
An organization must meet strict requirements to be granted 501(c)(3) status. One important requirement is that the organization’s mission must be primarily charitable. Trying to change laws (lobbying) cannot be a main part of what the group does. Given the Grange’s legislative efforts, we do not meet the requirements.
Because we do often engage in charitable work, National Grange and some state Granges have established organizations that are separate and distinct from the Grange itself. The Maine Grange Foundation was set up primarily to allow for grants and tax-deductible donations. Both the Maine State Grange and National Grange Foundations allow for certain “pass-through” donations.
In other words, if someone wanted to donate money to a subordinate Grange in Maine, they might be able to donate to the Maine Grange Foundation (MGF). Because the MGF is a 501(c)(3) charity, the donor would be eligible for a tax deduction, and the MGF would pass the money along to the subordinate Grange.
Similarly, if a subordinate Grange learned of a grant that would help preserve its hall or certain programs, it might discover that eligibility requires 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. In that case, the subordinate Grange might be able to apply using the MGF as the recipient.
A question that often arises is “Would it make sense for our subordinate Grange to follow the example of national and state by setting up a separate foundation or organization?” The answer requires understanding the requirements. There is considerable paperwork, including filing fees and accounting costs. In addition, annual fees, including required audits, mean the idea is usually not practical or cost-effective for a single subordinate Grange.
If you are interested in exploring this further, some resources follow.
Resources Specific to Maine
Maine Philanthropy Center (MPC) is a membership organization for funders, nonprofits, and consultants that works to make philanthropy more effective and equitable by building relationships, providing valuable tools and resources, and creating opportunities to learn and move our sector forward.
Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) is a primary statewide network for the sector. They offer startup guides, toolkits, training webinars, and a business directory to find local attorneys and consultants specializing in tax-exempt
A somewhat dated video explores the creation of The Maine Grange Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) and how subordinate/community Granges can use it. Unfortunately, the Amazon Smiles program has been discontinued, but the included conversation about fundraising should be interesting!
The Foundation Group
Foundation Group provides nationwide nonprofit services ranging from starting a nonprofit to ensuring compliance with IRS and state regulations. Specific resources within the group include:
What is a 501(c)3? is an excellent article by the Foundation Group that overviews the various types of charitable organizations. It is extremely thorough but also an easy read.
Caroline Kleabean is a good starting contact at the Foundation Group. Her direct line is 407 274-9227.
Thanks to Kathy Ward (Winthrop Grange) and Tracey Alsop (East Madison Grange) for using the new Grange event submission form! This form was designed to make everyone’s life a lot simpler and capture all the information! We use that information to create a simple advertisement for your event.
This ad (post) reaches a wide audience through search criteria and regular site visitors. Site visitors can also easily share the post on social media and by email using the buttons at the bottom of the post.
The MSG Event Calendar includes a short summary of the event that links to the post.
The Maine State Grange Communications Department (of one) focuses on the Granges in Maine, proving that the Grange is alive and thriving in Maine! Submit your news and events today!
East Madison Grange #228 Food Project giveaway day will be Friday, August 28, 2026, from 10 am-11:30 am at the East Madison Grange. One box per family. Come early, as supplies are limited.
Reprinted from an eNewsletter by Senator Stacey Guering, District 4
As students, parents and teachers are all gearing up for the start of another school year, it is a good time to remember to keep an eye out for students walking to and from school and students getting on and off school buses.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are generally one of the safest vehicles on the road; however, the risk is greatest when children are approaching or leaving a school bus.
Keep in mind these simple rules:
A school bus’s flashing yellow lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop, meaning drivers should slow down.
Red flashing lights mean stop. Students are getting on or off the school bus. Stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn and the bus begins moving.
Be ready to stop for school buses as they stop frequently.
Watch and stop for children who cross in front of the bus when the bus is stopped.
Be aware that school buses stop at all railroad crossings as required by law.
Please keep Richard Harriman, past State Steward, in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers from difficult heart surgery to repair blockages in an older bypass. He would appreciate words of encouragement.
Richard Harriman 280 Kennebunk Road Sanford, ME 04073
This article was written by Paula Roberts for The Lincoln County News and is used with permission.
Willow Grange president Sharon Morton presents Jefferson’s Spirit of America Award to Lindsey Jones. (Paula Roberts photo)
The Town of Jefferson’s Spirit of America was presented to Lindsey Jones at Willow Grange on Thursday, July 23. Grange president Sharon Morton presented the award.
Jones has been a Girl Scout leader for five years. She started Troop 1336 in Jefferson in 2021. She is also a member of the Midcoast Service Unit, through which she has taken leadership in organizing Girl Scout camping events at Wavus and Kieve. Ther Service Unit also organizes events such as the annual cookie rallies.
She has been on the Jefferson PTA for 15 years, serving as president for the past five years. Previously she served as secretary for five years. She plays a big hand in organizing Jefferson Village School’s annual Jubilee, a fundraiser for student programs.
She has been active in Jefferson Sports Association, where she coached both soccer and basketball when her children were younger.
She is an 18-year member of Whitefield Lions Club and is active in working at their food booth at Windsor Fair.
Several Girl Scouts were in attendance and recited the Girl Scout Promise and Law which echo many of the characteristics of a volunteer.
Lindsey Jones (center in back) poses with area Girl Scouts after receiving Jefferson’s Spirit of America Award at Willow Grange on July 23. (Paula Roberts photo)
Two members of Willow Grange were recognized for their years of service to the Grange, Sandee Gordon – 65 years and Bob Clark – 75 years. Neither were able to be present.
One of the Communications Department’s functions is to strive to present our best face externally. One way we do that is with honesty and transparency. However, that honesty and transparency should be expressed positively.
Items posted on the website are immediately available to anyone, including members, prospective members, community partners, and members of the media. It’s too easy to forget that! A strength of fraternal organizations can easily become a weakness when the bonds we value create a sense of exclusion among others. We may be brutally honest with ourselves. (“We’re having trouble getting a quorum at our meetings.”) That doesn’t mean we need to announce that “fact” to the world. Putting our best face forward means we communicate using the “Three C’s.”
Clarity means stripping away jargon and keeping the message simple and direct. The message should also be complete (another C!). I remember a conversation with someone unfamiliar with the Grange. She thought that “Grange meetings” were for Grangers only. Grange programs were for everyone. Whether she was right or wrong is not the issue. The important fact is we need to be sensitive to what others think. When I first joined the Grange, I lobbied for some signage and including the location of the Grange in flyers. One member said, “Everyone knows where the Grange is!” When we start thinking that way, we are in danger of discouraging others. We are not putting our best face forward.
Confidence is about projecting belief in the values of the organization and the message being sent. Just remember that people don’t come to or join the Grange for your reasons. They come and join for their reasons. Be confident that their reasons are such that they will find value at your event or participating in your Grange.
Connection can be a result that includes empathy and engagement. When we list an event, it’s easy to focus on the fact we’re engaging in one-way communication. We can make a slight shift and focus on the fact that we’re trying to create a connection. This is the “show, don’t tell” approach that resonates well. If you’re having an event, show readers what is going to happen or what they’ll get if they attend. Write “you” messages, not “we” messages. “When you come to a bean supper at X Grange, you’ll…”
There could be a fourth “C,” credible. Wild, overstated claims (positive or negative) might be made clearly and confidently; they won’t create connection if they aren’t credible. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather visit the Grange that offers some “pretty good coffee” than listen to a Grange claim they serve the best coffee in the state.
These things may not always be easy, but they definitely are simple.
FACT: Since we migrated the site to a new server, we’ve had over 5,000 site visits! (Sharing that is putting our best face forward!)
Reprinted from an enewsletter by Maine Senator Stacey Guerin, District 4
The five Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in Maine serve as “one-stop-shops” to answer questions from older adults, individuals with disabilities and their care partners about a wide range of in-home, community-based, and institutional services.
AAAs are experts at answering questions about in-home care services and other types of long-term support. Maine’s five AAAs are also Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) that:
provide information and assistance to individuals needing either public or private long-term care resources;
serve professionals seeking assistance on behalf of their clients’ long-term care needs;
serve individuals planning for their future long-term care needs;
serve as the entry point to publicly-administered long-term supports including those funded under Medicaid, the Older Americans Act and state-funded programs.
Maine’s Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) are designed to serve all older adults, people with disabilities and their care partners who have long-term care, community or program needs. To see which center serves your area, visit the Office of Aging and Disability Services’ website.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:10-11
Here we are, the middle of the beautiful, hot, humid, lazy, hazy days of summer. Right where we said we wanted to be last winter! You remember those cold, blistery days when we were all huddled around the old “cook stove”.
I trust you all are having a fantastic time enjoying all there is to do in this wonderful state of ours. Before we know it, the children will be back in school, and the temperature will be dropping like a “lead balloon,” and the heating bills will be showing up. I apologize for being a “gloomy Gus”
Before I end this for another month, I want to remind you that the month of August is “International Peace Month”, and it is observed throughout the month of August. It was founded on August 16, 1926, at the Fifth International Democratic Peace Conference in Rheims, France, to reflect on the devastation of World War One and to promote global cooperation
It was created by 4,000 pacifists from 30 countries to study international peace work and to prevent future global conflicts. (It doesn’t seem to be working very well today!).
We might not be able to do very much on the global front, but we can do something in our own town and neighborhoods. Whenever a conflict arises, don’t just bull your way into the situation. First, try talking, trying to defuse the situation. I have noticed that cool heads are a lot better than a fiery temper with a lot of shouting.
Until the next time, remember, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”
Benediction: Gracious Father, help us to remember that it doesn’t take a hot temper and loud voices to settle disagreements, but calm, cool minds and friendly attitudes to calm angry situations. Amen
Thought for the month:
“Bless the food before us, the family beside us, and the love between us.”
While Chaplain Christine is burdened with technology challenges, she has invited Past MSG Chaplain Clay to share some spiritual thoughts with our Grange Flock.
