9435-R2_CIC_September_2026_Calendar_Web

2026 Recompense Fund Grants

Chebeague Community Church: $20,075 to help close the annual operating budget gap, support administrative and bookkeeping functions and increase the capacity of the 24/7, no-barrier food access via the Chebeague Community Kitchen. There is “extraordinary work happening across this island,” said Chapl Victor Diaz. Reflecting on the past grant supporting music at the church, Diaz said that music “opens hearts … and creates space for reflection. Chebeague-Cumberland Land Trust: $4,000 for new signage in protected natural and wildlife places on Chebeague to improve the visiting experience for all. In its 39 years, CCLT has preserved 13 Chebeague Island parcels, as well as Stockman, Ministerial and Basket islands, said board member George Bates, whose father, Blanchard, was a founding member. Chebeague Island Commons: $22,000 toward the transportation costs of off-island caretaking employees in order to provide sustainable and consistent care. “The shortage of care across Maine is beyond critical,” said board President Susan Stranahan, and easing travel expenses helps attract and keep staff. “Spread the word: The Commons is a terrific place to work.” Chebeague Island Historical Society: $17,927 toward the long-term preservation of the CIHS collection with support for improvements in technology for the control of humidity and temperature in the historical building. The historical society, which had 2,500 visitors in 2025, is looking to develop an online presence and in creating comfortable work spaces, said Michael Porter, board president. Chebeague Island Hall Community Center: $2,440 for capital improvements, specifically for funding for an electrical engineer to assess the Hall’s electrical infrastructure and provide a recommendation and electrical design. The work was “desperately, desperately needed” to help keep pace with the increased use of the building, said board member Gina Ross.

Chebeague Island Hall Community Center: $600 to attract and retain a professional veterinarian for the monthly, on-island veterinary clinic with transportation funding to cover parking on the mainland Chebeague Island Library: $18,000 to contribute to the 2026 building expansion and launch of the Workspace Addition to provide the community free, accessible, modern spaces for remote workers, businesses, students and all island visitors. Board President Pips Veazey, who reflected on a busy three years leading up to a workspace addition, said the library is now considering “who we are today … and who we want to be in the future.” Chebeague Island Recreation Center/Kids’ Place: $10,000 to enhance emergency preparedness with funding for generators. Past grants have often gone to equipment at both buildings, and “my goal was to be the fittest island in Casco Bay,” said Executive Director Bill McKenzie. With generators, now the buildings can also be reliably open, and CRC can be available to the community in the event of power outages and other crises. Chebeague Transportation Company: $8,958 towards increased safety and emergency preparedness with support for a state-of-the art man-overboard recovery system. “Thanks, Recompense, for the gift we hope we never have to use,” said board President Susan Stranahan. MacBeth Concert Series, through Chebeague Community Island Association (CICA): $11,000 toward production costs of “The Sound of Music,” a full-cast staging coming in August 2027. MacBeth “smashed attendance records” in 2025, said Carl Tubbesing, thanking the “incredibly generous community.” Additionally, Recompense awarded three small grants of $500 each to The Whalers, the MacBeth Music Series, and to the Chebeague Island School.

SEPTEMBER 2026 CHEBEAGUE ISLAND COUNCIL CALENDAR

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