LEWISTON, Maine — Deborah Elwood, president and CEO of the Maine Community Foundation, is facing mounting criticism after releasing a social media video message that some survivors of the Lewiston mass shooting say missed the mark.
The video, posted to social media, was intended to address ongoing concerns surrounding the distribution of funds raised in the aftermath of the October 2023 Lewiston shooting. However, several survivors and community members quickly responded online, describing the message as insensitive and long overdue.
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Among those responding publicly, survivor Bobbi Nicholas wrote, “the revictimization continues,” while another commenter stated, “too little too late.” Lisa Jones, another individual commenting on the video, wrote, “Does your shame not have a rock bottom,” adding that there were “multiple false statements in this video.”
The backlash comes amid continued scrutiny over how funds collected for victims were distributed through the Maine Community Foundation.
Critics have repeatedly pointed to what they describe as a lack of transparency regarding approximately $1.9 million that was distributed to nonprofit organizations that were not directly impacted by the shooting. Some critics have also raised concerns about alleged conflicts of interest, claiming that members of a steering committee directed funding to organizations with which they were affiliated.
These concerns have remained a focal point of public frustration, with many community members saying the latest video failed to address those questions directly.
Adding to the controversy, the Root Cellar recently returned funds it had received from the VictimsFirst initiative after publicly acknowledging that it should not have been included among recipients.
That development intensified calls from some survivors and advocates for additional transparency and accountability regarding how funds were allocated in the months following the tragedy.
The Lewiston shooting prompted an outpouring of donations from across the country, with millions of dollars raised to support victims, survivors, and affected families. In the years since, the distribution of those funds has remained a contentious issue, particularly among survivors who say their voices have not been fully heard.
As criticism continues to circulate online, pressure remains on the Maine Community Foundation and its leadership to provide additional clarity about past decisions and to address lingering concerns raised by survivors and community members.
