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Tom's of Maine Awards $510,000 to Nonprofits in All 50 States
The votes are in, and 51 nonprofits from across the country will be able to give back more in their communities as winners of the Tom’s of Maine 50 States for Good community giving program.
Now in its sixth year, the 50 States for Good program rewards grassroots nonprofits with a total of $500,000 in project funding. Back in August, the natural personal care brand asked the public to nominate their favorite nonprofit organizations on social media, and thousands of entries poured in.
This year, for the first time, the program features 51 winners, one from each state and the District of Columbia — bringing this year’s project funding total to $510,000, with each organization receiving a $10,000 donation. (Scroll down for the full list of winners.)
“For the first time, we’re awarding more than $500,000 to support organizations and volunteers on the front lines of making communities stronger across the country,” said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. “Every community advocate we heard from – reflected in thousands of nominations – has a unique and special vision for bringing a lasting, positive impact to where they live.”
From children’s literacy programs and urban agriculture to veteran reintegration, the winning organizations share a mutual passion for improving lives in their communities with what Tom's of Maine calls "heart and sweat equity."
Nonprofits from each state were selected from a pool of nearly 3,000 nominations by a panel of judges representing a variety of unique perspectives on human, health and environmental goodness. (I had the opportunity to judge the competition myself this year, so I can attest to how tough the choices were!) To date, the 50 States for Good program has benefited more than 5 million people and hundreds of communities across the nation, the company said.
Scroll down to check out the winners and see if your favorite made the list. You can also learn more about the winners and what they're doing to benefit both people and planet at 50StatesforGood.com.
- Friends of Campbell Creek Science Center: Anchorage, Alaska
- Druid City Garden Project: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
- Lucie's Place: Little Rock, Ark.
- Treasures 4 Teachers: Tempe, Ariz.
- What's Mine is Yours: Concord, Calif.
- Phamaly Theatre Company: Aurora, Colo.
- hawkwing, Inc.: Glastonbury, Conn.
- Common Good City Farm: Washington, D.C.
- Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids: Hockessin, Del.
- In Jacob's Shoes: Pompano Beach, Fla.
- Books for Keeps: Athens, Ga.
- Giving Back Mentoring: Paia, Hawaii
- Young Women's Resource Center: Des Moines, Iowa
- Framing Our Community: Elk City, Idaho
- Safe Humane Chicago: Chicago, Ill.
- HearCare Connection: Fort Wayne, Ind.
- Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health, Inc.: Wichita, Kan.
- Grow Appalachia: Berea, Ky.
- lowernine.org: New Orleans, La.
- Found in Translation: Medford, Mass.
- Extra-Ordinary Birthdays: College Park, Md.
- My Place Teen Center: Westbrook, Maine
- Sweet Dreamzzz, Inc.: Farmington, Mich.
- Manna Market: Fridley, Minn.
- St. Louis HELP: St. Louis, Mo.
- Stewpot Community Services: Jackson, Miss.
- Red Lodge Area Community Foundation: Red Lodge, Mont.
- Mothers and Their Children, Inc.: Raleigh, N.C.
- Metigoshe Ministries: Bottineau, N.D.
- Cross Training Center: Omaha, Neb.
- Copper Cannon Camp: Franconia, N.H.
- Seer Farms: Jackson, N.J.
- Dental Care In Your Home, Inc.: Albuquerque, N.M.
- Goodie Two Shoes Foundation: Las Vegas, Nev.
- City Growers NYC: Long Island City, N.Y.
- Riders Unlimited: Oak Harbor, Ohio
- Full Circle Adult Day Center: Norman, Okla.
- Libraries of Eastern Oregon: Moro, Ore.
- ASAP - After School Activities Partnerships: Philadelphia, Pa.
- House of Hope Community Development Corporation: Warwick, R.I.
- Palmetto Project - Begin With Books program: Mount Pleasant, S.C.
- NAMI South Dakota: Sioux Falls, S.D.
- Strings for Hope: White Bluff, Tenn.
- Elves and More: Spring, Texas
- Karma Bike Shop: Magna, Utah
- Angel Wheels to Healing: Virginia Beach, Va.
- Vermont Woodlands Association: Rutland, Vt.
- Growing Veterans: Lynden, Wash.
- Faith, Hope, & Love, Inc.: Racine, Wis.
- Boys & Girls Club of The Eastern Panhandle- Morgan County Unit: Martinsburg, W.Va.
- Sheridan Angels: Sheridan, Wyo.
Based in Philadelphia, Mary Mazzoni is a senior editor at TriplePundit. She was also the judging panel for this year’s 50 States for Good. You can follow her on Twitter @mary_mazzoni.
Mary has reported on sustainability and social impact for over a decade and now serves as executive editor of TriplePundit. She is also the general manager of TriplePundit's Brand Studio, which has worked with dozens of organizations on sustainability storytelling, and VP of content for TriplePundit's parent company 3BL.
