COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES
A Legacy Like No Other Written by Colleen J. Quint, President & CEO, Alfond Scholarship Foundation
42
Since the pilot year at MaineGeneral Hos-
tion of humble beginnings and hard work that
pital in 2008 through this month, Mr. Alfond’s
spurred a lot of people of his generation to suc-
extraordinary commitment has meant over $62
cess in business. Mr. Alfond also made sure that
million has been invested for the future educa-
his success meant good things for others. There
tion of more than 124,000 Maine children. Fam-
are many organizations and programs, fields and
ilies have contributed their own money, to the
field houses across the state that bear his name
tune of over $130 million in additional funds.
as recognition of his generosity. These invest-
This means that as of this fall a total of $192 mil-
ments will pay a lifetime of dividends to those
lion has been invested for the future education
whose lives they touch. But there is one gift of
of these children. That’s quite a legacy indeed.
Mr. Alfond that stands out among all others, and
Like many programs, this one has evolved
that is the gift of opportunity he has given to ev-
over time. The Harold Alfond College Challenge,
ery Maine baby.
known to most Maine families as the My Alfond
Mr. Alfond knew that education brings op-
Grant program, was initially modeled on Mr.
portunity and wanted to make a commitment to
Alfond’s vision of families having “skin in the
the children of Maine — and to the future of the
game” and so opening a NextGen 529 account
state — that would impact generations to come.
by a child’s first birthday was required in order
His commitment: to invest $500 for the future
to receive the $500 Alfond Grant. Through the
education of every Maine child.
first several years of the program (2009-2012)
Maine State Chamber of Commerce
ABOVE & OPPOSITE: An event at the Blaine House in August 2019 celebrated the $50 million invested for 100,000 Maine children milestone.
PHOTOS: KARI HERER
H A R O L D A L F O N D R E P R E S E N T E D the combina-
