The Charles E. Miller Foundation makes annual awards in honor of Charlie Miller’s memory and to further the impact he had during his life. Together with Trustees Ellie Miller, Marc Miller, Elizabeth Cleek, Amanda Miller-Burg, Joan Fortin, and Howard Goldenfarb, we’re excited to share the four Maine programs selected to receive the inaugural awards in 2024. Please read below for more information about each of the recipients.

1) Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc. and the Elinor and Charles Miller Rural Justice Fellowship. This fellowship, named in honor of both Ellie and Charlie Miller’s commitment to this work, supports a new attorney or recent law graduate to serve a two year fellowship in rural Maine.

2) Gulf of Maine Research Institute, an organization dedicated to the Gulf of Maine and the communities that rely on it, and its LabVenture program. This program offers a hands-on investigation of the changing Gulf of Maine ecosystem, offered free to Maine 5th and 6th grade students.

3) The Center for Small Town Jewish Life at Colby College and its annual conference which brings Jews from across the region together.

4) The final award, to Camp Susan Curtis, is made in memory of Kevin Kelley. Camp Susan Curtis is a program that provides a camp experience focused on belonging and self-confidence for kids with economic disadvantages.

Kevin was a close friend of Charlie’s and first brought the idea of the Charles E. Miller Foundation to the family with strong support from both his wife, Theresa Kelley, and his brother, Paul Kelley. Earlier this year, Kevin lost his hard-fought battle with cancer. May his memory forever be a blessing.