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Age Friendly Saco asks council to fund 80% of executive director post as services expand
Summary
Age Friendly Saco presented program metrics and a FY26 request for $162,457 — including support to fund 80% of a director position — asking the City Council to help stabilize operations while the nonprofit pursues grants and revenue streams.
Age Friendly Saco, a nonprofit that coordinates transportation, meals and home-support services for older residents, asked the Saco City Council on April 28 to fund the majority of an executive director position and continued support for transportation and program operations.
The organization requested $162,457 for FY26, asking the city to fund 80% of a director position while Age Friendly pursues grants to cover the remaining 20%. Director Jean Saunders told the council the group has "provided 13 medical rides, 885 shuttle rides, 113 handy helper services" (figures presented in the packet) and said volunteers contributed "over 8,000 hours" of service, a volunteer value the group estimates at about $260,000 annually.
The request follows a year of expanded programming funded largely by external grants. Saunders said Age Friendly received more than $74,000 in grant funding during the past year for items that included a community connector position, a micro transit pilot, emergency preparedness go-bags and equipment for monthly meal programming. The presentation also highlighted a recent AARP Community Challenge grant and a University of Maine Center on Aging community-connector award that enabled a $10,000 local project.
Councilors asked operational questions about the proposed paid director role, timing and the group's plan to secure the 20% of salary from grants. Saunders said the board expects to discuss hiring at its next meeting and that the organization has already secured $2,500 toward the gap. Councilor Hatch asked whether the position would be a payroll role; Saunders said "probably a payroll" arrangement. Councilor Edwards, the council’s liaison, said she "fully supports the budget request." Councilor Berman and others praised the volunteer base and urged Age Friendly to pursue revenue-generating activities to reduce long-term dependence on municipal support.
Saunders described a longer-term vision for a consolidated community space with an accessible commercial kitchen, meeting rooms and program offices to reduce reliance on storage at volunteers' homes and to create revenue streams. The group said it currently operates from a small community-center office and uses donated storage and parking; the board is exploring leased space closer to downtown.
No formal vote or appropriation occurred at the April 28 meeting; councilors and staff asked clarifying questions and encouraged the group to return as part of the formal budget process. Saunders said the organization will continue to seek grants and revenue partners while pursuing the director hire.
If the council approves new funding as part of the FY26 budget adoption, Age Friendly said it will use the money to hire a director, continue two transportation programs (medical rides and a micro transit/shuttle service) and maintain meals and home-support programming.
Speakers listed during the presentation and public comment urged support for Age Friendly and related services across the city.
