How Much Impact Could Be Made In Your Community With $50,000? Tom's of Maine Invites Nonprofits Nationwide To Apply For Funding As Part Of Its Fourth Annual "50 States for Good" Program

Applications Focused on Human, Environmental and Healthy Goodness Due June 12

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May 03, 2012, 10:00 ET

KENNEBUNK, Maine, May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Know a nonprofit that takes care of the earth or helps people in need? Tom's of Maine is accepting applications from every state in the U.S. for its "50 States for Good" program and will award a total of $150,000 in funding towards impactful community projects. Now in its fourth year, the "50 States for Good" program seeks to uncover grassroots nonprofit groups working to address community needs and engaging volunteers to get the work done. Eligible 501(c) 3 organizations can get more information and apply online at www.50statesforgood.com now through June 12, 2012.

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For the first time, this year's "50 States for Good" program will feature 51 finalists, one from each state and the District of Columbia, as determined by a panel of independent judges. Then, the public will have the power to determine the six winning organizations that will receive funding. The organization with the most public support will receive $50,000 in sponsorship funding, while five additional organizations will each receive $20,000 based on the public vote.

"The '50 States for Good' program is our unique way of giving smaller nonprofits a chance to show their meaningful work to a larger audience and to realize the power of us all working together," said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "We've focused this program on supporting healthy, human and environmental goodness because it's core to who we are at Tom's of Maine. In past years, we've funded projects that planted trees in areas devastated by hurricanes, cared for animals, provided meals and created awareness for pressing environmental issues like our nation's oceans, among other ideas. These all made a lasting impact on local communities. This year, we increased the number of finalists in an effort to ensure each state is represented in the final voting phase and in the hopes we'll see a groundswell of goodness as people share information about the projects from coast to coast."

Volunteers nationwide are encouraged to share the news of the Tom's of Maine's "50 States for Good" initiative with any qualifying 501(c) 3 in good standing with an organizational operating budget under $2 million. For details about the program, please visit: www.50statesforgood.com.

To help its own employees find the time to volunteer, Tom's of Maine offers every employee 5% of paid time off, up to 12 days a year, to volunteer in their local community or beyond.

Tom's of Maine is a longtime supporter of community involvement programs including clean waterways and greater access to affordable dental care, among many other programs. In addition, since its inception, a core business principle has been to donate 10% of profits back to the community.

About Tom's of Maine
Tom's of Maine is a leading natural products company focused on oral and personal care. TOMs sells high quality toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant, bar soap, and body wash products. The company has a long-standing commitment to supporting people, communities and the living planet. For over 40 years, Tom's of Maine has sponsored hundreds of nonprofit efforts by giving 10% of its profits back to organizations that support human and environmental goodness and encouraging employees to use 5% (12 days) of employee time to volunteer. Tom's of Maine employees regularly contribute suggestions for improving the company's high sustainability standards. And their ideas, from wind power to ways to improve recycled and recyclable packaging options, are critical to the company's sensitive way of doing business. Tom's of Maine enjoys partnering with its consumers, vendors and community organizations to support lasting, positive change that is good for people and the planet. Visit us online at http://www.tomsofmaine.com/ or at http://www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine.

SOURCE Tom's of Maine