OUR HISTORY
Purchase and Renovation
2006-2008
The origins of The Holbrook Community Foundation date to 2002 when a group of Cundy’s Harbor women sought to reinvigorate a small community store called “Holbrook’s” on Holbrook’s Wharf. These women gathered like-minded Harpswell residents and, together, they raised funding not only to run the store, but also to purchase and renovate the wharf and begin efforts to preserve the Cundy’s Harbor waterfront. By December 2006, they had incorporated Holbrook Community Foundation as a 501(c)(3) organization, raised $1.25 million to purchase the property, including $450,000 from individuals, $50,000 from the Town of Harpswell, and a loan from the Genesis Community Loan Fund for $700,000. In 2007, the state established a Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) grant program to help fisheries. In February 2008, HCF received an LMF grant for $300,000 which was used to rebuild the wharf.
Safety Repairs, Renovations and Rebuilding 2007-2009
After HCF purchased the property, it made basic safety repairs to the wharf. Between 2007-2009, HCF rebuilt the wharf, built a new snack bar, and renovated the three fishing bays and the house. The house has two private apartments and space for an art gallery. Holbrook’s was now ready to provide storage bays and mooring for local fishermen. Support services were also provided such as bait and a concrete dock strong enough for an 18-wheeler that could take fish and seaweed for processing and to market.
Reopening of the Holbrook Property in 2009
When the renovation was completed, HCF had a reopening in July 2009. The Governor and local representatives of the Maine Senate and the local county political offices attended.
Becoming Financially Self-Sufficient
HCF was able to become increasingly self-sufficient and pay off large sums of its Genesis loan as a result of a combination of income sources and strong local support from the community and town. These sources included: 1) donations from the local community and town, including the donations during the Labor Day breakfast; 2) leasing the restaurant and store each summer; 3) leasing the two apartments and gallery space in the house; and 4) leasing the commercial fishing space, moorings, bait operating, and parking. In 2025 the Genesis loan was paid in full ahead of schedule.
Contributions to the Community
Once HCF became financially self-sufficient, it created the HCF Education Initiative and has supported annual community events. The Education Initiative supports HHLT’s environmental education at their summer camp and at the Harpswell School. Events included the Labor Day Breakfast, Lobster Crate Races, Blind Dinghy Races and Christmas celebrations on the wharf.