Patrons of Husbandry – a website dedicated to the Granges located in Maine
Registered Maine voters may use this free service to request an absentee ballot for the November 03, 2026 General Election. Ballots must be received no later than 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Election Day.
For more information, please visit the Secretary of State’s Upcoming Elections page.
Suicide prevention is not one moment or one person’s job. It lives in the relationships we build, the support we offer, and the communities we create together.
Week 1: Strengthen Suicide Prevention Together
If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here!
Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Rituals and Declaration of Purposes.
Use the icons below to share this Grange Heirloom on social media and help others understand what the Grange stands for! If this heirloom has a particular meaning for you, click the “leave a comment” link at the left and share your comment with us!
For additional information and resources regarding the Heirloom Program, visit the Heirloom Resource Page on the Maine State Grange Website.
Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the achievements of America’s workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity and well-being.
Before it became a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized initially by individual states. New York was the first state to introduce a bill recognizing Labor Day, but Oregon was the first to actually pass a law in 1887. During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating the holiday.
By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday and Congress passed an act on June 28, 1894, making the first Monday in September of each year the legal holiday. For many, the three-day holiday weekend marks the unofficial end of summer as public schools and colleges return to class.
By Walter Boomsma, MSG Communications Director
I’m working on a fully updated Communications Handbook to introduce for the 2026-27 Grange year. The business of communication continues to change rapidly, and it’s time to ensure the handbook meets the needs of our Granges and Grangers.
Like it or not, we must embrace technology. Studies show that over 80% of Maine citizens own a smartphone. Device ownership tracks closely with age demographics. In Maine households, roughly 93% of householders aged 15 to 34 own a smartphone, compared to only 49% of householders aged 65 or older.
If we are to remain relevant to our communities, our communication to those communities (and with each other) must also be relevant. We face a real challenge here. Our handbook will attempt to be a relevant resource. (I do love alliteration!) The current handbook shows how to format a press release document. The new handbook will address sending emails.
What would be helpful? If you have some thoughts, you can easily comment on this post. (Look to the left and click “Leave a Comment.”) Or, if you’d prefer, email me. My ambitious goal is to have this available at our State Convention in October, so don’t delay!
We’ve got some, but we want more! What does your Grange do that works? I’m looking for creative ways we communicate internally (among members) and externally (with the public). Again, you can leave a comment or send an email.
The current handbook is available on the site for viewing and downloading: 2025-2026 Communications Handbook. It’s worth a look! And your ideas and tips are worthy considering for the updated version!
We’re Grangers; we help each other.
The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety (BHS) announced last week that Maine law enforcement will participate in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over High Visibility Enforcement Campaign.” Usually held in mid-August through Labor Day, which is September 7 this year, the campaign kicked off in earnest on August 19.
According to BHS, Maine State Police, county sheriff’s offices and local law enforcement will be participating in the three-week effort. Nine fatalities involving blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 grams per milliliter (the state’s legal limit) or greater were recorded in Maine over the past three summer campaigns.
There were 162 fatal crashes in the state in 2025, of which 27 involved alcohol or drug impairment, according to state data. In all, 173 people died on Maine’s roadways last year, and 29 of those were due to operating under the influence.
This data and program could be the basis of a Family Health and Hearing Report and, if promoted, qualify as Community Service.
September 17, 2026, 6:00 pm
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.
By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director
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.
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!
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:
Maine Grange Foundation
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.
All are welcome!
East Madison Grange is located at 15 Grange Road.
Additional information is available at the East Madison Food Project Page.