April 20, 2016
Ramblers Way Farm partners locally to protect the environment.
The pioneering clothing company will volunteer to support the Island Institute
KENNEBUNK, ME—We’re excited to share with you our latest environmental initiative. We’re partnering with the Island Institute, a key community nonprofit organization near and dear to our home state of Maine. Ramblers Way Farm employees will contribute 5% of their paid work hours volunteering for the Island Institute.
March 25, 2016
Penobscot Watershed Conference
Sharing our Heritage, Challenges, and Future
NORTHPORT, ME—As Maine’s largest river system, the Penobscot River carries a deep cultural and economic history of our region. The future health of this vast watershed will be discussed at the first Penobscot Watershed Conference, April 9, 8am-5pm at Point Lookout in Northport, Maine. We will kick off events with a free pre-conference film screening and panel discussion hosted by the Island Institute and other local and regional non-profit organizations.
December 9, 2015
Island Institute Report Shows Lack of Broadband on Maine Islands
Increased speed could bring $90 million in growth over next decade
PORTLAND, ME—At a press conference today, Island Institute economic development director Briana Warner announced a new report on the state of broadband internet connections on Maine islands. The report analyzed the speed and reliability of internet service on thirteen of Maine’s fifteen year-round islands.
November 6, 2015
Block Island community, Deepwater Wind receive Island Energy Innovation Award
Developer and community recognized by Maine’s Island Institute
SOUTH PORTLAND, ME—The Island Institute presented the Island Energy Innovation Award to the Block Island community and Deepwater Wind today at the organization’s sixth annual Island Energy Conference. The award recognizes their leadership in community-developer relations in the creation of America’s first offshore wind farm.
November 4, 2015
Island Institute earns coveted 4 star rating from Charity Navigator
Third consecutive year with highest-possible rating
ROCKLAND, ME—Island Institute’s sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This is the third consecutive year that Island Institute has earned this top distinction.
July 21, 2015
Island Institute and Monhegan Brewing Co. launch a new beer
Events in Portland, Rockland support non-profit’s work on Maine islands
MONHEGAN, ME—Monhegan Brewing Company and the Island Institute today announced the release of a new island-themed beer. The "summer blonde" brew is named 15, after the fifteen year-round island communities on the Maine coast. A portion of proceeds from beer sales will benefit the Island Institute's work on those islands.
June 2, 2015
Island students receive $150,300 in Island Institute college scholarships
Sixty-eight islanders receive financial awards for education
ROCKLAND, ME—The Island Institute today announced scholarship awards to 68 students through its Island Education Fund. The scholarships, totaling $150,300, benefit island students attending colleges, universities, and technical schools across the U.S. and Canada.
“These scholarships are made possible by the generous support of our donors,” said Karen Burns, the Institute’s community development director. “Because of their generosity, dozens of island students will have help paying for college or other post-secondary education. That’s a big deal for these communities.”
“These scholarships are made possible by the generous support of our donors,” said Karen Burns, the Institute’s community development director. “Because of their generosity, dozens of island students will have help paying for college or other post-secondary education. That’s a big deal for these communities.”
February 5, 2015
Island Institute says ocean acidification report on target
Nonprofit calls on state, federal officials to act
ROCKLAND, ME—The Island Institute today praised the report from the commission studying the effects of ocean acidification on Maine’s marine life and fisheries and called on the state and federal government to respond by enacting the recommendations contained in the report.
The report, released this morning, was approved unanimously by a diverse group that included fishermen, aquaculturists, marine scientists, regulators, and other stakeholders.
January 8, 2015
Island Institute Awarded Grant for Energy Efficiency Work
Maine Development Foundation’s Grants to Green program provides environmentally focused knowledge to nonprofits
ROCKLAND, ME—The Island Institute today announced that it has received a grant of $90,285 from the Grants to Green Maine program for energy efficiency upgrades to its headquarters in Rockland. The grant will be used to make energy-saving retrofits to the historic building, including a new, high-efficiency wood pellet boiler. Work on the upgrades is expected to begin in January.
December 11, 2014
Senator King cites TLC in op-ed
Collaborative of outer island school is an example of benefits of connectivity for students
Senator Angus King (D-ME) and FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel wrote an op-ed in Roll Call on December 10th, 2014 advocating for a new, modernized version of the E-Rate program. They credit the current version of E-Rate with bringing internet connectivity to the nation's schools.