PORTLAND—The Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grant Program recently awarded $58,054 in grants to 12 Franklin and Somerset county nonprofits, including the Maine Grain Alliance, which will use the funds to design and implement hands-on educational baking workshops for school children.

Other grant awards went to:

Baker Mountain Ski Tow Club: to update and replace equipment related to community development.

Franklin County Children’s Task Force: to support Active Parenting Now, an evidence-informed, video-based education program targeted to families with substance abuse issues who want to improve their parenting skills.

History House Association: to update the organizational and operating structure to increase visibility and relevancy.

Main Street Skowhegan: to purchase a set of street pole banners to build brand identity of the downtown area.

Mercer Community Club: to purchase sports equipment to increase physical activity.

Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust: for the expansion of the EcoVenture program.

Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services: to present Add Verb’s program, “You the Man,” to Franklin County young adults.

Stratton/Eustis Food Pantry: to enhance the services provided to the community.

The Trust for Public Land: for land protection and conservation in the High Peaks (Western Mountains) region.

Town of Kingfield: to renovate the town park to accommodate year-round community building activities.

Western Mountains Foundation: for salary support for a new marketing and communications director.

A volunteer committee of Franklin and Somerset county residents and business leaders reviews grants and makes recommendations for funding. The next deadline for applying is Feb. 15, 2012. Application and guidelines will be available this fall at www.mainecf.org.

For questions or for more information, visit www.mainecf.org or call 1-877-700-6800.