AUGUSTA -- Baby boomers who want to make a difference in their communities can now get the training they need to participate in local and state government and nonprofit organizations.

A $95,000 grant awarded this week to the Maine Community Foundation will be used to develop leadership training programs for Mainers 60 and older.

The baby boom generation is the largest, healthiest and best-educated group in history to move through and beyond their sixth decade, according to Carl Little of the Augusta-based foundation.

He said national research shows that tens of millions of people older than 60 are looking to make a difference in their communities.

With a $95,000 grant, and the promise of additional grant support in two years, the foundation will partner with other agencies in Maine to develop a program.

The grant, from The Atlantic Philanthropies, is the second phase of its Community Experience Partnership, in which 10 community foundations have been selected to develop major programs designed to increase the civic engagement levels of baby boomers.

Henry Schmelzer, Maine Community Foundation president, said Maine's greatest asset is its people.

"This grant will allow us to develop a customized program for Maine people who are planning to retire, or who are retired, and who want to make a significant difference in the public and nonprofit sectors," Schmelzer said.

Meredith Jones, vice president, said the money won't be handed out to any specific organization in the Augusta area. Instead, partner agencies participating in the project will be reimbursed for their expenses.

Part of the team that designed the program includes the Maine Commission for Community Service, Office of Elder Affairs, the Department of Labor and Maine Health Access Foundation.

Jones said the grant will be used to create a training program and build off existing training programs.

"We have a lot of community vacancies on planning boards, and school boards and town and city councils and we have all these people who are looking for some really important things to do," Jones said Thursday. "The idea is to make matches for people who may never have been involved in city and local government. If we provide the training and skills, they can be helpful."

Little said with the first of 77 million baby boomers turning 60 this year, the United States is facing a massive demographic shift.

Research from Civic Ventures -- a think tank dedicated to "helping society achieve the greatest return on experience" -- indicates that nearly 45 million boomers want to be involved in work, paid or volunteer, that helps others.

"Far from frail, most of today's 60-plus boomers are fit, focused and looking forward to new challenges," Little said.

With assets of $245 million, The Maine Community Foundation has been partnering with donors and nonprofit to strengthen Maine communities for 25 years The statewide foundation

For information, visit www.mainecf.org or call 877-700-6800.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com