The Perloff Foundation
The Maine Community Foundation
The Maine Community Foundation plays an essential role in our grant making, including recommendations of the eligible school districts, coordination with school administrators, and support to teachers throughout the application process. A statewide organization with offices in Ellsworth and Portland, the community foundation works with donors and other partners to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. The foundation is committed to mobilizing people and resources to effect positive change; increasing post-secondary degree and credential attainment rates; and helping communities thrive in a flourishing environment.
The Maine Space Grant Consortium
Since 1999, the Perloff Foundation has provided more than 300 educational grants to schools throughout Maine. Through its Fast Track Grants program, teachers are encouraged to become educational innovators committed to planning, risk taking and results. Working individually or as part of a team, these are teachers who are motivated to undertake and complete groundbreaking projects that benefit the school, its students and their community.
We envision teachers as having influence far beyond their own classrooms, particularly in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as well as the integration of the Arts to carry out innovative STEAM projects. To this end, the STEM4ME Grants Program is designed to offer opportunities for teachers and their students to undertake longer term projects, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, ecology, automation, space science and sustainable food production.
The Maine Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) is an Affiliate-based 501(c)(3) corporation and a member of the national network of Consortia in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The network is funded by NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (also known as Space Grant). Space Grant was established by Congress in 1988 to contribute to the nation’s science and engineering enterprise.
Our mission is to:
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Improve our Affiliates research infrastructure in areas of mutual interest to NASA and the state of Maine;
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Encourage more students to consider careers in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); and
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Enhance NASA’s presence throughout the State of Maine.
Our goals under the pre-college and informal education priority areas are to:
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Increase participation of Maine K-12 teachers and high school students in STEM activities; and
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Increase the public’s awareness of STEM research, education and activities that are associated with NASA and the affiliates
Two activities that we support to help us reach these goals are:
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Conduct outreach to Maine schools and communities and promote opportunities in science and engineering research and education; and
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Support informal science education activities designed to inspire future scientists and engineers and enhance public awareness of the impact of Science and Technology and NASA on everyday life.
