Trescott. Cobscook Institute has received a gift of 37.4 acres of oceanfront property in Cutler. Proceeds from the sale of this property will help sustain educational programming.

Ransom and Barbara Taggart of Cold Spring, New York bought the property years ago with hopes of building a seasonal home here. After years of stewarding the land, they realized that they would not be able to move to Cutler so they decided instead to make a charitable gift of the property to ensure that it would be used to benefit an organization in Washington County.

“We wanted to ensure that our property would have a lasting impact to benefit people in this region. We are delighted to have been introduced to Cobscook Institute and its educational programming. We hope the proceeds from the sale of this land by Cobscook Institute will help sustain their programming for years and years to come,” said Ransom “Randy” Taggart. 

As a result of this gift, Cobscook Institute will establish the Taggart Fund within Cobscook Institute’s existing agency fund with Maine Community Foundation.  Agency funds like this help nonprofits take advantage of the foundation’s investment management services while building a source of sustainable, long-term funding to maximize both near and long term impact . 

Cobscook Institute’s current signature programs include a four-year public experiential high school program and an education and retreat center offering workshops, multi-day immersion programs, and distance learning opportunities in a wide array of subject areas. This summer alone, community members can benefit from youth art and outdoors camps, pottery and fiber arts workshops, birding adventures, and more.  The Passages program, which helps young parents earn high school diplomas, and the TREE program, Trauma-Responsive Equitable Education, are legacy impact innovations also launched in Washington County by Cobscook Institute. The Taggarts hope for their gift to help fuel that kind of educational innovation long into the future.

In the coming months, Cobscook Institute will build out its scholarship program to ensure that people of all walks of life and ages from the region can contribute to and continue to enjoy its offerings. 

Cobscook Institute’s mission is to create responsive educational opportunities that strengthen personal, community, and global well-being. To contribute to our work or learn more, visit cobscookinstitute.org, or give us a call at 207-733-2233.