THE BETTERMENT FUND  
    Created by the will of William Bingham 2nd

• Increasing educational opportunities for health careers:  In response to the need to expand the availability of Maine health care workers in the coming years, we support training initiatives such as development of the health worker curriculum through Sunrise Opportunities in Washington County, and the establishment of new health professions curricula in Maine education institutions, such as the University of New England Pharmacy School.
  

• Health care access for rural populations:  We are interested in projects that feature innovative methods of delivery, such as telemedicine and mobile health care facilities.
  
  

• Oral health:  We have made a substantial commitment over the last few years to improving oral health in Maine and we are continuing in this area of our interest, particularly in the matter of oral health education and policy development.  Some examples are programs created to increase access to early childhood oral health exams and services and preventive care initiatives such as fluoride treatment.
  

• Maine public health:  Maine’s public health system is not developed to its full potential.  We support initiatives that will increase the effectiveness and utilization of the system, such as Maine Public Health projects and Healthy Community initiatives.
  

  Proposals that are not as likely to be funded include pure medical research, projects relating to a single disease or condition, capital construction or equipment projects for hospitals or medical centers, and local programs impacting a small subpopulation.