Maine Nonprofit Distributes $540,000 to Abuse Survivors
Finding Our Voices provides microgrants to over 1,000 survivors across all 16 Maine counties for emergency needs.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Philanthropy
The organization Finding Our Voices has distributed $540,000 in direct financial assistance to more than 1,000 domestic abuse survivors throughout Maine. These funds help individuals cover essential costs such as security deposits, car repairs, and legal expenses.
Why it matters
Rising costs for housing, fuel, and groceries have driven a surge in assistance requests for women trapped in abusive relationships by financial control. The nonprofit highlights that a lack of liquid funds remains the primary barrier preventing victims from safely leaving their abusers.
Finding Our Voices distributed $120,000 in microgrants to 245 survivors and 95 children in the first 10 months of 2026. The organization reports receiving an average of eight requests for emergency financial assistance every day.
The players
Finding Our Voices
This Maine-based nonprofit organization provides financial assistance and advocacy to domestic abuse survivors across all 16 counties.
Sunshine Lady Foundation
This charitable organization provided the original $50,000 grant that allowed the Get Out Stay Out Fund to begin its operations.
John T. Gorman Foundation
This philanthropic entity supported the nonprofit in 2026 with a $20,000 donation specifically earmarked for security deposits.
The details
The Get Out Stay Out Fund relies entirely on private donor funding to bypass government grant restrictions while coordinating support through a network of caseworkers and therapists. Its initiatives include community-led fundraising efforts like the Into the Light Yellow Festival, which engaged 126 businesses across Maine during July 2026.
Timeline
2021: Finding Our Voices launched the Get Out Stay Out Fund.
July 2026: The annual Into the Light Yellow Festival fundraising event took place.
October 2026: A survivor was notified of a scheduled heating assistance appointment.
November 10, 2026: The organization will host a Financial Health workshop in Camden.
January 2027: A survivor is scheduled for a heating assistance appointment.
Market Landscape
Finding Our Voices operates as a private philanthropic supplement to the broader Maine state-mandated domestic violence service network by addressing specific financial gaps not covered by standard agency budgets. The organization distinguishes itself from institutional state actors by focusing exclusively on flexible, private-donor-funded microgrants for survivors.
Residents struggling with domestic abuse can access support through this network to cover urgent expenses like groceries, car repairs, and utility bills. By providing these direct microgrants, the organization offers an immediate financial bridge for individuals who are otherwise unable to secure essential daily services.
The takeaway
Financial independence is a critical component for survivors attempting to exit abusive relationships safely. Accessing microgrants for basic needs like gas and utilities can provide the necessary stability to transition into a secure living environment.
What happens next
The organization is scheduled to host a Financial Health workshop in Camden on November 10, 2026, followed by a previously scheduled heating assistance appointment for a survivor in January 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's charitable sector in our Maine Philanthropy section.
More information
To review eligibility or access emergency support resources, visit the Finding Our Voices official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wiscasset Newspaper.
