For more than 135 years, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has contributed to the economic health and vitality of the communities we serve, and we are proud that our employees are involved in the communities in which we live and work. Each year, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees volunteer countless hours of their time on community projects and serve on nonprofit boards. In addition to these efforts, we have provided charitable donations and community sponsorships to more than 500 community organizations within our bank footprint of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Our Charitable Mission
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust’s charitable mission is to improve the economic prosperity and health of our communities through our commitment to impactful philanthropy and volunteer service engagement.
We recognize the importance of partnering with nonprofit organizations so our collective effort enhances local projects and programs to achieve maximum impact. We understand that nonprofits provide crucial services for those in need and that they require a broad base of support from individuals, corporations, civic organizations, and foundations. We believe that we can make the most impact through numerous smaller gifts rather than a few large ones. Our funding support is typically less than $5,000.
Regions Served
Our volunteer services, community sponsorships, and charitable donations primarily benefit programs and services for those who reside in the following regions:
- Maine: Cumberland, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Penobscot, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Washington
- New Hampshire: Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Sullivan
- Vermont: Orange, Rutland, Windsor
What We Support
Organizations should propose support that will benefit a distinctive project, event, or initiative, rather than support for general operations. Requests should be clearly defined, stating how support will make measurable positive impact. The amount requested should be within the scope of the project or the number of people who will benefit.
Our approach to community giving and sponsorship favors proposals that:
- Advance economic growth and community vitality
- Establish measurable goals based on sustainable collaborations
- Focus on education and workforce development initiatives
- Support families at risk with a strategy linked to a path of self-sufficiency
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust will not fund nonprofits that discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. We do not generally provide financial support for:
- Activities where we are the sole funder
- Activities with limited access for the general public
- Annual appeals
- Endowments
- Government agencies
- Individual/adult teams and associations
- Lobbying groups
- Private foundations
- Political activities
- Religious and labor organizations
- Scholarships programs
- Third-party solicitations
- Underwriting for travel expenses
- Programs operating outside our geographic service area
How to Apply
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust utilizes a web portal for all requests and event sponsorships. You can access the portal by clicking the link below. We require 60 day advance notice to consider requests.
- Requests must be submitted online through the portal.
- We will not accept paper or email requests.
- Applicants must be a nonprofit or organization in good standing.
- Please submit well in advance (at least 60 days) of an event or project initiative.
If we can assist in answering any questions, please reach out to us at communitygiving@barharbor.bank.
Funding priority is provided based on the following:
- Have an established customer relationship with Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.
- Positively impacts low- and moderate-income populations.
- Pertain to education and workforce development initiatives or programs.
- Have had employee(s) engaged through volunteering or board service in the recent years.
Form Instructions
- Please complete the entire form with as much detail as possible.
- Attach supporting documentation, such as cover letter, sponsorship form, event brochure, and/or promotional package.
- Attach the organization’s IRS Form W-9. Following the completion of the request, a confirmation email from no-reply@kadince.com will be sent to you.
- Please allow a minimum of 60 days from the time of the request for donations and sponsorships to be considered.
