Pay It Forward Maine

Support Local Businesses and Organizations with the Pay It Forward Maine Initiative 

As Maine business owners and their employees weather this unprecedented pandemic, the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce is partnering with several organizations in our state to launch a campaign to support our community: Pay It Forward Maine.  

Pay It Forward Maine asks individuals, businesses and organizations to continue supporting local businesses and their employees in our new world of closed storefronts and social distancing. This could be your favorite sandwich shop, your local coffee haunt, your beloved caterer, your hotel conference host, your trusted hair salon. It could be your “usual” restaurant or taproom where you know the servers by name. Maybe it’s your favorite bookstore, live music venue, museum, or theater. It’s also your service providers: Housecleaners, pet sitters, daycares, and of course the medical and emergency personnel who have been on the front lines. 

They have been there for you through thick and thin. Now it’s time for us to all come together to return their service and support, however we can. This is a difficult time for us all. Let’s collectively help each other to the other side of this crisis!

Please see below for ideas on how YOU can get involved and a Pay It Forward toolkit with logos and other marketing materials. Download the Pay It Forward press release HERE and below.

Download FileESS THE PAY IT FORWARD TOOLKIT

HOW TO GET INVOLVED!

We greatly encourage you to join us as we #PayItForwardMaine by considering the following ways to show your support (including through simply spending your time and effort)*: 

• Buy a gift card, gift certificate, class pass, etc. – this may be the simplest and most effective way to continue supporting local businesses throughout this crisis. Think of a business you would have visited that day/week/month and buy a gift card instead!  Keep it for yourself OR give to your favorite local server, bartender, grocery store employee, hairdresser, medical professional, first responder, etc.  
• Utilize take-out and curbside to-go services (websites like Portland Food Map and Portland Old Port are keeping updated lists of restaurants offering these services). 
• Purchase merchandise from the business’ website – obviously retail locations, but many businesses and organizations in all industries offer merchandise such as clothing, hats, glassware, posters, and more. Buy online and have it shipped to your door! 
• See if your service providers offer virtual options: Tax accountants, business coaches, yoga instructors, etc. 
• If you can’t afford to show monetary support, share the website or social media account of your favorite business or organization and encourage others to support them.

• Help deliver products to those in need.
• Volunteer your time to help feed the hungry. 
• Put together packets for school children. 
• Provide child-care for those still working (especially those in health care and medical fields) and in need of a helping hand.
• Post a video of teaching others about a favorite skill or technique.

• Help us make this into a statewide movement by sharing your posts, photos, and actions with the hashtag #PayItForwardMaine. Tag your family, friends, and followers and challenge them to do the same. The more visibility, the more people will get involved!

Pay It Forward Maine Business Groups, Organizations and Community Partners

Below is our list of initial partners (please contact the Chamber directly if you would like to join the campaign): 

• Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Maine Department of Economic & Community Development
• Maine State Chamber of Commerce
• Retail Association of Maine (Be sure to also check out their COVID-19 Small Business Resource page HERE)
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• Associated General Contractors of Maine
• Bangor Chamber of Commerce 
• Bar Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce 
• Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce 
• Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry 
• City of Portland 
• Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce
• Educate Maine
• Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce 
• Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce 
• Franklin County Chamber of Commerce 
• Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau 
• Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce 
• Greater Portland Council of Governments  
• HospitalityMaine
• Institute for Family Owned Business  
• Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce 
• Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce 
• Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel Chamber of Commerce 
• Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
• Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce 
• Maine Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
• Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association
• Maine Outdoor Brands
• Maine Tourism Association
• Mount Desert chamber of Commerce
• Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce
• Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce 
• Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce 
• Portland Buy Local
• Portland Downtown
• Portland Old Port
• River Valley Chamber of Commerce 
• Scarborough Buy Local 
• Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce 
• Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce 
• Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber 
• Visit Portland