Demont Difference Fund
The Demont Difference Fund was established in 1999 by Demont & Associates, Inc. The Fund endorses creative efforts by not-for-profit organizations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont seeking to increase their long-term capacity to raise private support and/or broaden their volunteer base.
This
year the Fund will award pro bono services to smaller organizations not
considered capable of mounting a $1 million fund-raising effort in the
near term. Preference is given to funding projects which leverage maximum
fund-raising potential, develop long-term development goals, and further
philanthropic opportunities.
Service is limited to charitable organizations, activities, operations
or purposes that take place within the state of New Hampshire, Vermont,
Maine or benefit those states’ residents.
Please click below to download the guidelines and application:
2009 Demont Difference Fund Guidelines and Application
Demont
Difference Fund Recipients
2008 RECIPIENTS
Rape Crisis Assistance and Prevention (Waterville & Skowhegan, Maine)
Rape Crisis Assistance and Prevention was awarded pro bono services to create a development plan. This organization is dedicated to providing crisis intervention support to all individuals impacted by sexual trauma, and aiding in community collaboration and education around the issues of sexual violence. Demont will help create a development plan that will give Rape Crisis Assistance and Prevention direction in fund raising, decrease its reliance on state funds, and engage community members for continuing support.
For more information on Rape Crisis Assistance and Prevention, visit www.rape-crisis.com.
Kids First Center (Portland, Maine)
Kids First Center has been awarded pro bono services to create a development plan. The mission of this organization is to help families navigate the often difficult transition of divorce and separation, helping parents recognize and keep the needs of their children in the forefront. The Demont Difference Fund will assist Kids First Center in setting an effective, strategically based fund-raising direction.
For more information on Kids First Center, visit www.kidsfirstcenter.org.
Junior Achievement of Maine, Inc. (Portland, Maine)
Junior Achievement of Maine, Inc. has been awarded a pro bono Demont workshop, “In Your Own Voice: Making the Ask.” The workshop on “Making the Ask” will help this organization bolster their fund-raising efforts through board and staff education to better engage donor and community support. Junior Achievement of Maine is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Their curriculum includes hands-on activities that teach students about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and workforce readiness.
For
more information on Junior Achievement, visit http://maine.ja.org.
2007 RECIPIENTS
Copper Cannon Outdoor Education Center (Franconia, New Hampshire)
Copper Cannon Outdoor Education Center in Franconia was awarded pro bono services to create a development plan. Copper Cannon is dedicated to providing at-risk New Hampshire youths with an opportunity to grow and thrive. The outdoor education and recreation programs at Copper Cannon offer children a community that values cooperation, teamwork, good citizenship, and respect for one another and the environment. Demont will help create a development plan that will give Copper Cannon direction in its limited resources for fund raising, allow better utilization of its materials, and give more children the opportunity for an outdoor experience.
For more information on Copper Cannon, visit www.coppercannon.org.
Child First Child Care Resource and Referral (Keene, New Hampshire)
The Demont Difference Fund awarded pro bono services to Child First Child Care Resource and Referral. Located in Keene, and a program of Southwestern Community Services, Child First is a child care advocacy organization providing high quality support and affordable childcare and education for children in the Monadnock area. In the past year, Child First has provided more than 2000 hours of technical assistance and training to providers and community members. The Demont Difference Fund will assist Child First in creating a development plan that will focus on diversifying funding streams in order to continue providing increasingly needed services.
For more information on Child First, visit www.scshelps.org/childfirst.
New Generation (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)
New Generation in Portsmouth will receive pro bono services to design and create a Strategic Planning Retreat. The mission of New Generation is to provide support to homeless women in crisis during pregnancy and to mothers and children in order to foster a new generation of healthy, self-sufficient, fully functioning, and happy families. New Generation has sheltered more than 350 families, with 230 children. New Generation sought a strategic planning retreat that will help broaden their fund-raising potential, strengthen their volunteer base and create a consistent sustained giving donor base.
For more information on New Generation, Inc. visit www.newgennh.com.
The Birchtree Center (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)
The Birchtree Center of Portsmouth, offering specialized educational services for children and youth with autism, will also receive pro bono services for facilitating a strategic planning retreat. With its award, The Birchtree Center hopes to have a written strategic plan representing the shared vision of current board, staff and clients. The plan will help guide the organization in their securing of an expanded base of funding support as they face increasing demand for educational programs for children and youth with autism and their families. The Birchtree Center is the only program of its kind in New Hampshire having a specifically focused curriculum based on Applied Behavior Analysis for children with autism. They currently have 20 children participating in a year-round, full day program, and have a newly established outreach program.
For more information on The Birchtree Center visit www.birchtreecenter.org.
Revels North (Hanover, New Hampshire)
Revels North in Hanover has been awarded a pro bono Demont workshop, “In Your Own Voice: Making the Ask.” The workshop on “Making the Ask” will help Revels North reach their goal of building lasting relationships with a larger circle of supporters to better carry out the organization’s unique mission. Revels North is a not-for-profit organization producing performances and events to encourage understanding and appreciation of traditional music, dance, ritual, and other art forms through the medium of participatory theater and communal celebration.
For more information on Revels North, visit www.revelsnorth.org.
Former Recipients:
Governor’s Institutes of Vermont (Montpelier, Vermont)
The Governor’s Institutes of Vermont (GIV) in Montpelier was awarded a $2,750 matching grant by the Demont Difference Fund for the implementation of a training and development program for the organization’s Board of Trustees. Visit www.giv.org for more information.
Quarry Hill School (Middlebury, Vermont)
A matching grant of $3,250 was awarded to the Quarry Hill School in Middlebury to use the expertise of a non-profit consultant in creating and implementing a strategic fund-raising plan, including the purchase of fund-raising software and board development training. Please call 802.388.7297 for more information about Quarry Hill School.
Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation (Burlington, Vermont)
The Demont Difference Fund awarded the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation (VCTF) in Burlington a matching grant of $1,500. For more information about VCTF, visit www.vtchildrenstrust.org.
Turtle Island Children’s Center (Montpelier, Vermont)
Turtle Island Children’s Center in Montpelier was awarded a matching grant of $2,450 to help develop basic tools, infrastructure, and support systems that are critical to creating a strong, well organized, comprehensive development program. For more information, call 802.229.4047.
CATCH,
in Concord, is using its award of $5000 to implement a new major gift
plan as part of an effort to diversify funding. For more information about
CATCH, visit www.catchhousing.org.
Harrisville Children’s Center (Harrisville, New Hampshire)
The Harrisville Children’s Center in Harrisville received a matching grant of $1000 to defray the cost of a staff and a board member attending the Level I Training Session sponsored by the Giving Monadnock Institute. Visit www.harrisvillechildrenscenter.org for more information.
Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery (Keene, New Hampshire)
The Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery at Keene State College was awarded $1000 to hire a facilitator with expertise in board development, fund raising, and volunteer recruitment. For more information about the Gallery, visit www.keene.edu/tsag.
Women’s Supportive Services (Newport, New Hampshire)
The Demont Difference Fund awarded a $3000 matching grant to Women’s Supportive Services in Newport. With its award, this organization will expand its annual giving program and begin a major donor program. For more information, visit www.free-to-soar.org.
New Hope for Women (Rockland, Maine)
Laura Young, Senior Vice President, and Kate White of Demont & Associates conducted a Board Development Workshop for New Hope for Women in Rockland, Maine. For more information about New Hope for Women, see www.newhopeforwomen.org.
Washington County Children's Program (Machias, Maine)
The Washington County Children's Program in Machias, Maine was awarded an Internal Assessment service through the Demont Difference Fund Initiative. Visit www.wccp.net for more information about this organization.
The Junior League of Bangor (Bangor, Maine)
The Junior League of Bangor, Maine benefited from a board Retreat focused on "An Introduction to Strategic Planning." Information about the Junior League can be found on the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. website: www.ajli.org.
The Vermont Children's Aid Society (Winooski, Vermont)
The Vermont Children's Aid Society in Winooski, Vermont will benefit from a board workshop focused on the key role the board has in a non-profit's development and fund-raising program. For more information, visit www.vtcas.org.
Burlington Children's Space (Burlington, VT)
Porter Caesar, Vice President of Demont, led the board of the Burlington Children's Space in Burlington, Vermont in a strategic planning workshop in January 2004. To learn more about this organization, visit www.burlingtonchildrensspace.org.
The Center for Grieving Children (Portland, Maine)
Awarded $1,000 to match funds raised through a board appeal. This matching grant is to fund internships from the University of Southern Maine's Masters in Business Administration program. For more information about the services The Center offers, visit their website at www.cgcmaine.org.
The Georges River Land Trust (Rockland, Maine)
Awarded $900 to assist the organization in consolidating with the Coastal Mountain Land Trust. For more information, visit www.grlt.org
The Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center (Gardiner, Maine)
Awarded $1,774, to be matched by private donors, to purchase a new donor and membership software package. For more information about Johnson Hall, visit www.johnsonhall.org.
The Penobscot Theatre Company (Bangor, Maine)
Awarded $3,159 as a matching grant to purchase fundraising software, support, training, and advisory services. To learn more about this organization, visit www.PenobscotTheatre.org.
The Sanford-Springvale YMCA (Sanford, Maine)
Awarded a matching grant up to $3,167 to match any new or increased gift by a board member.
The Squamscott Coalition (Exeter, New Hampshire)
Awarded $2500 to support their three-year initiative to permanently increase philanthropy in Brentwood, East Kingston, Exeter, Kensington, Newfields, and Stratham. For more information, visit www.squamscott.org
The Lakes Region United Way (Laconia, New Hampshire)
Awarded $2,000 to help defray the cost of building a media program for its 39 local care giving agencies. For more information, visit www.lruw.org
The Manchester Historic Association (Manchester, New Hampshire)
Awarded $1750 for a part-time grant writer to increase and maximize the organization's fundraising capacity. For more information, please visit www.manchesterhistoric.org
Monadnock Family Services (Keene, New Hampshire)
Monadnock Family Services is using its $600 award to defray the costs of staff and board member participation in the Giving Monadnock Training Institute, sponsored by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. For more information, visit www.mfs.org.
New Generation, Inc. (Greenland, New Hampshire)
Awarded $1650 to develop a five-year strategic plan, which will include plans for potential growth and funding, grant writing and fundraising, and board development. For more information about this organization, visit www.nhteeninstitute.org.
Ethan Allen Homestead Museum (Burlington, Vermont)
Awarded $1600 to revise and enhance its volunteer program. For more information, please visit www.ethanallenhomestead.org.
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum (St. Johnsbury, Vermont)
Awarded $1,000.00 to help create a part-time Administrative Assistant for Grant writing position. For more information, please visit www.stjathenaeum.org.
The Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium (St. Johnsbury, Vermont)
Awarded $1,028 to hire a fundraising consultant to train the Board of Trustees in hands-on, practical exercises to help them master the personal solicitation process. Visit the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium at www.fairbanksmuseum.org.
Bennington Museum (Bennington, Vermont)
Awarded $1800 matching grant to purchase a new development software package to integrate its membership, annual fund and capital campaign records from several sources into one centralized database. Visit the Bennington Museum at www.benningtonmuseum.com.
The Aroostook County Action Program (Presque Isle, Maine)
Awarded $1500 for a community coalition to guide HIV/AIDS education and prevention activities in Aroostook County. For more information, visit www.acap-me.org.
The Center for Community Dental Health (Portland, Maine)
Awarded $2,000 to defray the cost of professional fundraising training.
The Junior Achievement League, Inc. (Portland, Maine)
Awarded $2,500 to assist in the cost of a staff person to develop community advisory boards.
The Center for Cultural Exchange (Portland, Maine)
Awarded $2,500, matched by a variety of sources, paid for the cost of a professional organization consultant to facilitate a board and staff strategic planning process. For more information, please visit www.centerforculturalexchange.org.
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