Support FOSI!
Your donations support our educational and recreational programming, as well as the work we do to keep the island safe and free for all to enjoy. Thank you. Get InvolvedDonateDonate
Your donations are hugely impactful and deeply appreciated. Here are ways you can donate. For further information on donating, please email info@friendsofsearsisland.org.
PayPal
Individuals or businesses can make a one-time or recurring donation online through PayPal. You do not need to have a PayPal account to donate this way.
Check
Mail a check in any amount payable to Friends of Sears Island (or FOSI) to:
FOSI
PO Box 348
Searsport, ME 04974
Business Support
We welcome donations from businesses. Any business that contributes $150 or more per year will be recognized on the FOSI website with their logo.
Other Ways to Support
Program, Event or Project Sponsorship
Consider a business or personal sponsorship of our popular Solstice by the Sea or other event. Our Science Squad programs for kids can also be sponsored. Sponsorships are a great way to gain recognition for your business or honor a loved one while supporting FOSI’s work.
CLYNK.com
Maine’s returnable container law (aka the “Bottle Bill”) means that most people have bottles and cans that must be returned for recycling. If you return your deposit bottles and cans to a CLYNK kiosk, you can designate all or some of your refund to go to FOSI.
It’s easy to do: set up an account at CLYNK.com, then load your returnable bottles and cans into a CLYNK bag and drop it off at a designated CLYNK kiosk at a Hannaford supermarket.
AmazonSmile
If you shop on Amazon, the AmazonSmile program donates 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to a charity of your choice.
Go to smile.amazon.com next time you place an order to learn more and select FOSI from the list of eligible charities.
Legacy Gift
Help Sears Island thrive for generations to come by naming FOSI as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or in your estate plan. Contact us or your estate planner for more information.
Protecting Sears Island’s environmental and cultural resources.
Get Involved
Friends of Sears Island (FOSI) depends on active members and volunteers to fulfill its mission of stewardship. Getting involved with our organization is a fun and rewarding experience, and a great way to invest in your community!
To volunteer for any of the tasks below, join our Advisory Group or Board, or discuss a specific skill or area of expertise not listed here, please contact us at outreach@friendsofsearsisland.org. We will work to find a good match for you!
Here are some of the many ways you can volunteer:
Help maintain the trails or become an Adopt-a-Trail steward.
Trail maintenance involves trimming back encroaching vegetation and overhanging branches, removing fallen branches, replacing/repairing bog bridges, and installing new signage. You can also adopt a specific trail to visit frequently and report anything that needs fixing to our trail crew.
Lead programs.
FOSI offers a wide range of nature and wellness programs throughout the year. We are always looking for new leaders. Please get in touch if you consider yourself a naturalist, are knowledgeable about a specific topic, or are able to lead an outdoor recreation program, Programs are typically 2 hours in length, and usually take place on the island in warmer months, with the option of indoor workshops or Zoom presentations in the colder months.
Coordinate special events.
Help us organize special events such as fundraising dinners, solstice celebrations, volunteer appreciation gatherings, and occasional on-island programs.
Research grant opportunities and write proposals.
FOSI relies on grant funding to support our projects and operating expenses. We are looking for experienced grant writers to develop proposals and research funding opportunities.
Fundraising.
Work with FOSI to plan and implement fundraising programs throughout the year, help organize the annual appeal, work with other organizations/communities to elicit donations, and make presentations to local organizations/towns about Sears Island.
Education.
Work with our Outreach Coordinator to plan and supervise educational programs for children and adults. Education volunteers work within local schools and universities to publicize Sears Island, and make presentations to local organizations about Sears Island.
Technical assistance.
FOSI can always use help with graphic design (creating flyers and posters for events), marketing (creating public relations materials and flyers, connecting with local media, sending out press releases, and monitoring digital media), and our online presence (updating and maintaining our website and Facebook page).
Volunteer Registration
Join our Advisory Group or Board of Directors
We are always looking for new members to join our Advisory Group and Board of Directors. We hold our board meetings at 1:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Searsport Community Center, located at 42 Prospect St. in Searsport. If you are interested, please attend our meetings to find out what FOSI is doing and see if you might want to help shape our organization.
We greatly appreciate the support of
our business and organization members!
