Building Maine’s Future—One Student at a Time
The Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges plays a vital role in supporting the Maine Community College System and its seven colleges. Every dollar raised by the Foundation goes directly to scholarships, programs and equipment for the Maine Community College System. By partnering with generous organizations, estates, individuals, other non-profits, and grantors, we help keep education accessible to Mainers.
Lowest Tuition In New England
Maine’s Community Colleges are an economic lifeline, offering the lowest tuition and fees in New England- just $96 per credit. For 35 years, we have maintained the lowest tuition and fees in New England, recognizing that Maine has the region’s lowest per-capita income. Your investment to the Foundation supports scholarships, hands‑on programs, and modern classrooms.
How your gift shapes Maine’s workforce?
By the Numbers
Changing lives can’t be summed up on a spreadsheet, but the data prove that your generosity ripples statewide:
$146 Million
Raised since 2009 to expand programs and student aid.
$90 Million
Raised for short-term workforce training.
100,000 Mainers
The MCCS’s Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce’s training goal by 2030
40+ Workforce Development Programs
Funded across Maine’s seven community colleges.
$7.9 Million
Raised in capital improvements and equipment
Over $350,000
Distributed in scholarships annually
Over $105 million
Raised in the last 5 years
$2.1 million raised
Raised for student support services
Through our ongoing support, the Maine Community College System has been able to accomplish a lot:
The seven colleges serve more than 33,000 people a year, through two-year associate degree and one-year certificate programs, and other learning opportunities.
12,000 Mainers completed short‑term workforce training just last year—a 4× jump since 2020.
More than 90% of our graduates stay in Maine.
“Every gift strengthens Maine’s economy and gives our students a shot at a brighter future.”
—Gov. John R. McKernan Jr., Board Chair
Our Priorities | Building Maine’s Future
Supporting Student Success
Emergency grants keep learners on track when a car repair or childcare bill threatens to derail a semester, while on‑campus tutoring lift graduation rates year after year.
Technology & High‑Demand Careers
From virtual‑reality simulators for respiratory therapy to brand‑new CNC machines for precision manufacturing, donor dollars equip students for good paying, in demand jobs.
Capital Access
Gifts from donors and foundations close Maine’s opportunity gap by putting state-of-the-art training within reach of every community. Recent support has:
- Put a new digger truck to work in KVCC’s Electrical Line-worker program in Fairfield/Hinckley.
- Launched English-language learning centers at SMCC and CMCC, opening doors for New Mainers.
- Upgraded the advanced manufacturing center at YCCC.
- Stocked EMCC’s food pantry and backed WCCC’s college-transitions program for incarcerated learners.
- Equipped immersive simulations labs in nursing and criminal justice.
From line-work to nursing, these investments ensure Mainers can train for today’s most in-demand careers without leaving the communities they love.
Student Stories
Major Donor Impact
In 2025 the Harold Alfond Foundation committed $75.5 million—the largest grant in MCCS history—to train 70,500 additional Mainers by 2030 through short‑term workforce programs. Earlier Alfond gifts funded the Harold Alfond Campus at KVCC. Explore our Donor Honor Roll to see how businesses, alumni, and friends are amplifying their impact together.
“Maine’s community colleges are a critical part of our economic strategy and provide enormous opportunities for individual Mainers.”
—Lisa Gorman, Foundation Vice‑Chair
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