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Cogswell Benevolent Trust

Annual Giving
$2.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M
Decision Time
1mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,139,364 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Monthly trustee meetings; rolling applications accepted year-round
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $25,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New Hampshire (limited out-of-state funding available)

Contact Details

Overview

The Cogswell Benevolent Trust was established in 1929 under the will of Leander A. Cogswell, a Henniker, New Hampshire native who made his fortune in the shoe manufacturing industry in Manchester. Trustees were formally appointed on November 6, 1929. Cogswell's wealth grew substantially after he developed the LACENE skiving tool, a leather-trimming device, in partnership with his engineering foreman. The trust continues to operate under Leander's original wishes as expressed in his will. In 2023, the trust distributed $2,139,364 in grants to 109 organizations. Since 2014, the trust has awarded 1,039 individual grants totaling $16,706,054. The trust focuses on supporting established charitable programs with specific projects rather than general operations, emphasizing basic needs, health services, youth development, education, and arts and culture.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Cogswell Benevolent Trust operates a single rolling grant program:

  • General Grantmaking: $5,000 - $25,000
    • Rolling basis with no deadlines or funding dates
    • Trustees meet monthly to review proposals
    • Typically does not fund same organization in consecutive years (unless emergency)
    • Average of 100+ grants awarded annually

Priority Areas

The trust supports nonprofit entities that have a charitable or educational purpose, including:

  • Basic Needs: Food pantries and essential services
  • Health Services: Healthcare programs and facilities
  • Children and Youth: Youth development and out-of-school education programs
  • Arts and Culture: Cultural programs and arts organizations
  • Equipment and Facility Upgrades: Capital projects for established programs
  • Campaign Support: Specific capital campaign needs
  • Public Agencies: Educational, religious, and fraternal organizations serving the public
  • Organizations Providing: Aid, assistance, education, or betterment of public resources

What They Don't Fund

The trust rarely considers requests for:

  • General operating or start-up expenses
  • Feasibility studies
  • Endowments
  • Conferences
  • Production of films or videos
  • Deficit elimination
  • Consecutive year funding to the same organization (except emergencies)
  • Out-of-state projects (limited funds may be available)

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees

  • Peter G. Kachavos, MD - Trustee
  • Mark A. Northridge - Trustee
  • Charles S. Goodwin - Trustee

Staff

  • Janet L. Cyr - Office Manager

The board of three trustees meets monthly to review grant proposals. The trust maintains a small operational structure, focusing resources on grantmaking rather than administrative overhead.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted via standard U.S. mail to:

Cogswell Benevolent Trust 116 South River Road E-1 Bedford, NH 03110

Required Materials:

  1. Application letter carefully explaining:
    • The purpose of the project
    • How the project will be accomplished
  2. Itemized income and expense budget
  3. Most recent audited financial statement or Form 990-PF
  4. Copy of IRS 501(c)(3) exemption letter
  5. List of other foundations approached, specifying:
    • Which organizations have been contacted
    • Amounts requested from each
    • Amounts already received

Application Format:

  • Submit only one copy
  • Use standard U.S. mail (expedited shipping discouraged)
  • No specific application form required

Decision Timeline

  • Application Period: Rolling; proposals accepted at any time, no deadlines
  • Review Schedule: Trustees meet monthly
  • Decision Timeline: Not publicly disclosed; varies by proposal
  • Notification Method: Not specified in public materials

Success Rates

The trust does not publicly disclose its success rate. However, based on available data:

  • 109 grants awarded in 2023
  • 95 grants awarded in 2022
  • 94 grants awarded in 2021
  • 85 grants awarded in 2020

The number of total applications received is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

"Unless it is an emergency, it is the Trust's policy not to make grants to the same organization in succeeding years." Organizations that receive funding should wait at least one year before reapplying, except in urgent circumstances.

Application Success Factors

Key Advice from the Funder

The trust emphasizes the following in its guidelines:

  • Be Specific: "Carefully explain the purpose of the project and describe how it will be accomplished"
  • Demonstrate Established Programs: The trust prefers to fund established programs within New Hampshire
  • Show Coordination: Disclose other funding sources and amounts requested/received
  • Keep It Simple: Submit one copy via regular mail; avoid expedited shipping

Types of Projects Recently Funded

Based on available information, the trust has supported:

  • COAST (Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation): $25,000 for construction of new administration, operations, and maintenance facility in Dover (2024)
  • New Hampshire Food Bank: Funding for Thanksgiving turkeys (2024)
  • Kismet Rock Foundation: Grant awarded for program support (2012)

Strategic Focus Areas

According to Inside Philanthropy, "This is a good funder in New Hampshire to approach with needs for equipment, facility upgrades, and campaign support. It considers many types of local nonprofits when awarding grants but often sticks to basic needs, such as food pantries. Other top interests are youth development, health, arts and culture, and out-of-school education programs."

Common Characteristics of Successful Applications

  • Focus on specific projects rather than general operations
  • Located within New Hampshire
  • Serve clear charitable or educational purposes
  • Provide detailed, itemized budgets
  • Demonstrate established track record
  • Address basic needs or community infrastructure

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • New Hampshire Focus: While limited out-of-state funding is available, the trust strongly prefers established programs located within New Hampshire.

  • Project-Specific Funding: Avoid requesting general operating support or start-up expenses. Focus on specific equipment needs, facility upgrades, capital campaigns, or defined program projects.

  • Rolling Applications Are Genuine: With monthly trustee meetings and no deadlines, applicants can submit proposals at any strategic time without waiting for specific cycles.

  • One-Year Rule: Plan ahead knowing that the trust typically doesn't fund the same organization in consecutive years. If you receive a grant, you'll likely need to wait at least a year before reapplying.

  • Transparency About Other Funding: Be upfront about other foundations you're approaching and amounts requested or received. The trust specifically asks for this information and values coordination among funders.

  • Keep It Simple: The trust values straightforward applications sent via regular mail. Avoid over-complicating your submission with expedited shipping or elaborate presentation.

  • Target the Sweet Spot: With grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, position your request within this range and ensure your budget reflects realistic needs that align with the trust's giving capacity.

References

  1. Cogswell Benevolent Trust Official Website - Grant Request Guidelines

  2. Cogswell Benevolent Trust Official Website - History

  3. Cogswell Benevolent Trust Official Website - Trustees

  4. Cogswell Benevolent Trust Official Website - Home

  5. Grantmakers.io Profile - Cogswell Benevolent Trust

  6. Inside Philanthropy - The Basics of New Hampshire's Cogswell Benevolent Trust

  7. COAST News - COAST Receives $25,000 Grant from Cogswell Benevolent Trust

  8. New Hampshire Food Bank - Grant Recognition

  9. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Cogswell Benevolent Trust

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