Marking Twenty-Five Years of Student Commitment to Community Giving

Marking Twenty-Five Years of Student Commitment to Community Giving

When the McKeen Center recently hosted its annual award ceremony for the Common Good Grant program in Mills Hall, it also celebrated a milestone anniversary: a quarter century of helping to fund local nonprofits.

The evening's theme, "Growing Generosity," was a nod to the growth of student and donor involvement over the program's history. Tables were draped in green and scattered with packets of seeds for guests to bring home: poppies, salpiglossis, strawflower, and sage.

The Common Good Grant (CGG) program is a McKeen Center initiative that allows students to gain real-world experience in the nonprofit sector while also supporting essential community organizations. Each year, a new group of student participants receives applications from Maine-based organizations to determine how to allocate their money-the accrued interest from an endowed fund. Students also connect with potential donors-many of them CGG alumni-to solicit additional grant funds.

The program began in 2001, started by a gift of $10,000 from Mike Poor '64, who has consistently supported the program over the years. In the twenty-five years since its inception, CGG students have raised and given away more than half a million dollars.

Thursday night's event included a reception, dinner, and ceremony in Barry Mills Hall. Samantha Cogswell '11, associate director of the McKeen Center, opened the event by highlighting what a landmark year it has been for the program.

"We raised $51,800, and funded the full requested amount for every organization that received a site visit from our students, which we have never done before," Cogswell said, adding that students awarded grants to fifteen of the fifty-nine applicants. "This is a cause for celebration, but also a reminder of the work that we have yet to accomplish."

In honor of the initiative's anniversary, two former directors of community engagement at Bowdoin returned to campus: Lydia Bell '00 and Susie Dorn. They each spoke about the CGG's history of student and donor involvement. "The program was created with the conviction that Bowdoin students, regardless of family means, should have the opportunity to engage with local philanthropy," Bell said. "Over four hundred Bowdoin students have participated since its founding, with each cohort leaving behind their own unique mark."

Dorn emphasized that the donor gifts not only make an impact in the local community, but also on the trajectories of Bowdoin students. Many Common Good Grant alumni move on to careers in philanthropy. "It's not about how much we give, but what we are able to give," Dorn said. "Gifts can take the form of financial support-but time, passion, and expertise are equally valuable."

Nassiratou Ali Djibo '28, a member of the development committee, shared a video highlighting past grantees and how funds supported their work.

President Safa Zaki highlighted the mutual impact the program has on both awarded organizations and student participants. "Students contribute their time, skills, and energy, but they also tell us that they've gained so much in return," she said. "That reciprocity lies at the heart of Bowdoin's commitment to the common good."

Ryan Davis '15, a Common Good Grant alumnus and current member of Bowdoin's alumni council, reflected on how the program represents the core values of the College.

"Celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Common Good Grant program serves as a powerful reminder of what's possible when a community invests in others," he wrote in an email. "In the same way that Bowdoin shaped my education, the McKeen Center shaped my sense of purpose. Seeing the work being done for local nonprofits reminds me why I'm proud to be a Bowdoin alum, and why giving back feels so meaningful."

Charlotte Tagupa '26 and Pranav Valdamudi '26, this year's Common Good Grant student leaders, spoke to the level of commitment students brought to their work. "They did not just act as reviewers checking boxes, but as thoughtful advocates for the communities behind each application," Valdamudi said, particularly of the grant committee participants. "It is this care that has resulted in our funding all of our finalists for the first time in the program's history."

Tagupa emphasized the value of the development committee's donor outreach efforts. "Each interaction is an opportunity to connect with a community member, strike a balance of competence and warmth, and genuinely geek out about the nonprofits we support," she said. "That enthusiasm paid off, as we raised just over $30,000 through donor outreach."

Students spotlighted each of the grant recipients and welcomed them to the stage to receive their awards. Representatives from the fifteen organizations spoke about how the funds will support their missions and expressed their gratitude for being part of the program.

"So many people have come to Tedford this year in part because of the visibility that comes from being a Common Good Grant recipient," said Andrew Lardie, executive director of Tedford Housing, a Brunswick nonprofit that provides housing to individuals and families facing homelessness. "Our participation in this program has helped us make new connections, and for that we are grateful."

Sarah Seames, director of the McKeen Center, concluded the event by celebrating this year's accomplishments and acknowledging the work that lies ahead.

"The needs in our community remain profound," she said. "Our students will continue to be incredibly ambitious in their goals to support the organizations that inspire them. I guarantee that the students on the committee next year won't see this year's accomplishment as an anomaly, but instead as a challenge to be met and surpassed."

2026 Common Good Grant (CGG) recipients

AIO Food Assistance provides food and other basic necessities to Knox County households in need. The CGG grant will allow AIO to consistently provide allergy-friendly food options.

ArtVan delivers mobile art therapy to heal people in their communities. The CGG grant will help the organization continue their essential work.

Bath Brunswick Respite Care helps those who are experiencing issues due to Alzheimer's, dementia, and other cognitive difficulties.The CGG grant will be used to fund scholarships for their adult day program.

Belfast Area Child Care Services provides care for children from infancy through school age. The CGG grant will help fund their outdoor learning initiatives.

Habitat for Humanity 7 Rivers Maine creates homeownership opportunities for families with limited incomes by building sustainable housing and modifying existing homes. The CGG grant will help the organization fund this important work.

Harpswell Aging at Home provides free or low-cost programs designed to support older adults to live independently and thrive in their own homes. They hold a monthly gathering for older women to socialize, build relationships, and reduce isolation. The CGG grant will help cover the rental costs for the event space of this initiative.

Making Community Happen empowers residents of Knox County to maintain independent lives by providing access to affordable housing, Meals on Wheels, and other supportive services. The CGG grant will help fund these vital programs.

Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services unites immigrants and refugees with their new Maine communities by providing the skills, support, engagement, and opportunities they need to become self-sufficient. The CGG grant will be used to support the continuation of their internship program.

Sagadahoc Preservation, Inc. preserves buildings of architectural and historic significance in Sagadahoc County and educates the public about their importance. The CGG grant will support efforts to bring the Winter Street Center building in Bath, Maine, up to code so that it can safely be used as a community space.

Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine supports and advocates for people affected by sexual violence and works to prevent it in our communities. The CGG grant will establish an emergency fund to help meet the immediate needs of their clients.

Senior College at Belfast provides intellectual stimulation, practical knowledge, social interaction, and fun for persons fifty years of age or older. The CGG grant will help fund these essential services.

St. George Community Development Corporation works to make the five villages of St. George livable for all residents. The CGG grant will support their heating assistance program to help residents stay safe and warm during cold winter months.

Tedford Housing serves the midcoast community through emergency shelter, housing, homelessness prevention services, and winter warmth programs. The CGG grant will fund resources such as vehicle tires for those living in their cars or exam fees for parents pursuing community college education.

The Town of Alna is located forty-five minutes from Brunswick. The CGG grant will be used to install a device known as a "beaver deciever," a non-lethal solution that deters beavers from causing road and property flooding in the town.

Vinalhaven Eldercare Service provides the opportunity for elderly Vinalhaven residents to age in their own homes and island community. The CGG grant will fund upgrades to the medical alert system, which improves access to mainland resources and assistance.