Alfond Scholarship Foundation

We are proud to have been part of this important conversation. Maine's My Alfond Grant program continues to lead the way in demonstrating the positive difference that early investment makes for children!

Mark your calendars for Friday November 1st! Join us for a Free Webinar: Understanding the Differences Between the Alfond Grant and Maine's Education Savings Program Maine people have access to two unique programs created to help save and pay for education after high school, however, understanding how each program works can sometimes cause confusion. During this session, ASF will provide an overview of the $500 Alfond Grant and FAME will share information on Maine's education savings program, explain how they differ, how they can help raise post-secondary aspirations, tools for evaluation, and ways that families can maximize their savings. This one-hour webinar will be hosted by FAME on Friday November 1st, 2024 at 12:00PM. Click the link to register today! https://lnkd.in/eYbzK_X7

Congratulations to the CAFE Team at FAME We are thrilled to celebrate FAME (Finance Authority of Maine) for being named the Maine Development Foundation's 2024 Champion of Education & Workforce Development Awardee! This well-deserved recognition highlights the outstanding work FAME has done to support students on their journey to and through postsecondary education, helping to shape Maine’s future workforce. ASF was proud to sponsor this award and offer remarks at the breakfast held earlier this month where FAME’s achievements were celebrated. Thank you, FAME, for your continued dedication to empowering students and strengthening our community!

Stay Informed & Make a Difference! Our quarterly Community/Business Partner newsletter will be delivered to inboxes this month! See how the Alfond Scholarship Foundation (ASF) is partnering with Maine organizations to raise awareness about the $500 Alfond Grant, encourage education savings through payroll deduction, and support families in building a brighter future for their children. Stay updated on our outreach efforts and find new ways to get involved! 🔗 Sign Up Today: https://lnkd.in/eF4TF8DW

Our friends at Commonwealth, a national nonprofit building financial security and opportunity for financially vulnerable people through innovation and partnerships, recently published a paper on 529s and Employers, using models and lessons learned from Maine's My Alfond Grant program. Check it out here:  https://lnkd.in/gMWcvFyG

We've reached a major milestone! Alfond Grant recipients now have over HALF A BILLION DOLLARS saved for their future! Thanks to the $500 Alfond Grant, family contributions, matching grants from Finance Authority of Maine, and market growth, we're optimistic about the future of Maine's kids. The My Alfond Grant program is not just about enhancing access to higher education—it’s also strengthening Maine’s workforce and economy, aligning with Harold Alfond's vision of community investment and family involvement in education savings.

We’re excited to highlight our fantastic partnership with The Roux Institute at Northeastern University! Their support has been incredible, and they continue to show their commitment to fostering future success for their employees and their families. As a Business Champion, The Roux Institute not only shares information about the $500 Alfond Grant for Maine babies but also offers the option for employees to contribute directly to their personal college savings accounts via payroll. Did you know that a child with a college savings account in their name - even if the account only has a few hundred dollars in it - is 3x more likely to go to college and 4x more likely to complete? By promoting college savings and education benefits, the Roux Institute shows they genuinely care about supporting their employees and their families. Thank you, Roux Institute, for being an amazing partner! Interested in learning more about how we partner with businesses? Check out our Maine Employers page on our website: https://lnkd.in/dGUzSruV

Last week, we delivered nearly 1,000 whoopies pies to all the incredible Labor & Delivery nurses and staff across the state. From Biddeford to Fort Kent, and Norway to Mount Desert Island, our small but MIGHTY team of three covered over 1,400 miles and visited 31 different hospitals. This is our small way of thanking nurses in-person for sharing vital information about the $500 Alfond Grant at the very start of their child's life. This is often the first time families learn about the Alfond Grant! The message we share gives families hope for their child's future 🌞

Thanks to all the families who joined us at Maine Beer Company for our very first Build Your Village: Community Connections for New Parents event this past Saturday! We had an absolute blast connecting with everyone, sharing stories, and watching new friendships blossom. It was a fantastic day dedicated to helping new parents build their community and support network all while learning a bit about the Alfond Grant and planning for their child’s bright future. Stay tuned for more exciting events like this in the future! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you never miss out on the fun. https://lnkd.in/eF4TF8DW

May 29th is National 529 Day! It is never too early or too late to save for education after high school. 529 accounts are one of many ways to help you save -- learn more about paying for your child's future education through this interactive guide on our website! https://lnkd.in/eGecdMEz