Meet the Friends
of the River Valley
Friends of the River Valley’s vision is for every child, adult, and family in the River Valley to have access to meals and nutrition, books, and a variety of school, community, and wellness programs by partnering with existing programs and organizations across Western Maine’s Androscoggin River Valley.
Philanthropy Model
Friends of River Valley serves as a centralized resource for supporting and promoting a range of nutrition, education, health, and social services across the River Valley. There are a wide range of needs to be met, which is why we partner with a wide range of organizations. The River Valley has several nonprofit groups with important missions, but without viable in-house funding mechanisms. Our goal is to strengthen and activate these support structures. We presently have an eight-person board who closely assesses the identified needs of the area, reviews our partners’ recommendations, and allocates funds that will have a measurable and lasting impact on our communities. Friends of the River Valley provides funding through grants, sponsorships, and more.
The River Valley has a rich history in wood products manufacturing and papermaking. At its peak, the paper mill employed 3,300 people and provided the area with millions in wages and tax revenue. Today, the mill employs fewer than 650. The steep decline of manufacturing has created economic insecurity in our communities: families struggling to make ends meet and local businesses struggling to keep their doors open. River Valley region is home to some of the lowest-income families in the state.
In 2017, households below poverty level averaged 16.4% in the River Valley Region, compared to 8.4% for the state.
One in five children (20.2%) in Oxford County lives in poverty
65.4% of students in the local school district (RSU 10) are eligible for subsidized meals.
In a 2018 health survey, 50% of River Valley residents who responded did not have full time jobs.
Board
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Friends of the River Valley
PO Box 175
Rumford, ME 04276