Common Cents
Give Back Every Time You Shop
Through the Common Cents program, the Belfast Community Co-op donates to local nonprofits and gives back to your community with every grocery trip. Common Cents invites Co-op shoppers to round up the total of their purchases to the nearest dollar, donating the extra change to support a community organization whose work contributes to local resilience, sustainability, and access to affordable, healthy food.
How It Works
The Belfast Community Co-op determines which nominated organizations are eligible and Co-op owners vote on the final selection. Once selected, each nonprofit is featured for one month and receives 100% of the funds raised through customer round-up donations.
Everyone is welcome to be a Co-op owner.
Contributing to Common Cents fosters positive growth in our community. Let your cashier know if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity each time you shop!
Apply to Be a Common Cents Recipient
Local nonprofits and community groups can apply to be a candidate for our round up at the register program called Common Cents. Please note that organizations must wait for two years before becoming eligible again. For example, an organization that received a donation in 2023 will not be eligible again until 2026. However, if an organization is nominated but not chosen, they may apply again until they are selected.
- Nominations for 2026 are closed.
- Voting for 2026 groups will be in October 2025.
Common Cents Recipients
Click a recipient’s name to visit their website and learn more about their organization!
2025 Recipients
January : Maine Harvest Bucks / Belfast Farmers Market
February : Friends of Katahdin Woods and Water / Wabanaki Benefit Foundation
March : Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition
April : Colonial Theater / Hawthorne Collaborative
May : Phoenix Knights Gaming
June : Waldo County Bounty
July : Wabanaki Reach
August : Restorative Justice Project Maine
September : Waldo County Pet Food Pantry
October : Friends of the Belfast Free Library
November : Belfast Area Childcare Services
December : WindowDressers
2024 Recipients
January : Finding Our Voices
February : PAWS Animal Adoption Center
March : Habitat For Humanity of Waldo County
April : But Still I Am One
May : The Soap Closet
June : Belfast Public Health Nursing
July : Friends of Belfast Parks
August : Coastal Recovery Community Center
September : Waldo County Humane Society
October : Coastal Mountains Land Trust
November : Maine Coast Animal Rescue
December : Waterfall Arts
2023 Recipients
January : Knox County Homeless Coalition
February : Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County
March : Midcoast Conservancy
April : Protect Ancient Forests
May : Belfast Community Radio
June : RSU 71 School Garden Collaborative
July : Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine
August : Friends of Sears Island
September : Waldo County Woodshed
October : Greater Belfast Area Ministerium Food Cupboard
November : MOFGA Journeyperson Program
December : Maine School Garden Network
2022 Recipients
January : Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition
February : Waldo County Pet Food Pantry
March : Maine Family Planning
April : Belfast Area Child Care Services
May : WERU Community Radio
June : Wabanaki Youth in Science (WaYS)
July : New Hope Midcoast (formerly New Hope for Women)
August : Veggies for All
September : Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter & Services
October : Restorative Justice Project Maine
November : Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program
December : Waldo County Bounty
2021 Recipients
February : Overlock Memorial Skate Park Redevelopment
March : Friends of Belfast Free Library
April : Nibezun
May : Window Dressers
June : Ecology Learning Center
July : Maine AllCare
August : P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center
September : The Farwell Project
October : Belfast Farmer’s Market Maine Harvest Bucks Program
November : Belfast Soup Kitchen
December : The Game Loft (Maine Youth Alliance)
2020 Recipients
February : Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County
March : Belfast Community Works
April : Greater Bay Area Ministerium Food Cupboard
May : Soap Closet
June : Avian Haven
July : Waterfall Arts
August : Waldo CAP C.A.R.E.S.
September : Hills to Sea Trails Coalition
October : Coyote Center for Carnivore Ecology and Coexistence
November : Aging Well in Waldo County
December : Friends of Belfast Parks
2019 Recipients
February : Lincolnville Community Library
March : New Hope for Women
April : Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition
May : Restorative Justice Project
June : Belfast Area Childcare Services
July : Come Boating!
August : Friends of Sears Island
September : Food for Maine’s Future
October : Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast ME
November : OUT MAINE
December : Waldo County Growing Project
2018 Recipients
January : Creative Learning & Performance Inc. (CLAP!)
February : WBFY Belfast Community Radio
March : Our Town Belfast
April : Peace Ridge Sanctuary
May : Belfast Maskers
June : Maine Farmland Trust
July : Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition
August : Waldo County YMCA
September : Friends of the Belfast Free Library
October : Food for Maine’s Future
November : Belfast Soup Kitchen
December : Habitat for Humanity Waldo County
Common Cents is just one way our cooperative grocery store practices ethical consumerism and supports local nonprofits. Learn more about our community impact programs.
