LL Bean distributes grants to nonprofits

LL Bean distributes grants to nonprofit organizations as fiscal year comes to close

FREEPORT, Maine (AP) -- Maine's L.L. Bean is distributing $1.5 million in community grants that were approved by the board for distribution before the company's fiscal year ends next month.

The catalog retailer says gifts ranging from $500 to $25,000 are being dispersed to more than 200 nonprofit organizations. That's above and beyond a $2.5 million donation to get kids interested in the outdoors and another $1 million given to the National Parks Foundation this year.

Over the last 10 years, the Freeport-based company has donated nearly $30 million to nonprofit organizations.

This year's recipients include the Appalachian Mountain Club, Nature Conservancy, Maine Audubon, Maine Island Trails Association, Trout Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited. The company is also supporting the Island Explorer propane bus system in Acadia National Park.