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Endowment for Health Inc

Annual Giving
$4.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.0M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4.6 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 6 weeks (Opportunity Grants)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $20,000 (Opportunity Grants); larger amounts for strategic initiatives
  • Geographic Focus: New Hampshire statewide

Contact Details

Website: www.endowmentforhealth.org Phone: 603-228-2448 Fax: (603) 228-1304 Address: 1 Pillsbury St Ste 301, Concord, NH 03301 Grants Program Associate: Andie Hession

For grant application inquiries, call 603-228-2448 or visit the foundation's website for the online application portal.

Overview

Endowment for Health was established in 1999 through the conversion of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New Hampshire. As New Hampshire's largest health foundation, it has been dedicated to improving the health and reducing the burden of illness for the state's people for nearly 25 years, with a particular focus on those who are vulnerable and underserved. With assets of approximately $97 million (as of 2023), the foundation has awarded more than 1,800 grants totaling over $77 million to support health-related programs throughout New Hampshire. In 2024, the Endowment awarded more than $4.6 million across 65 grants to 44 organizations, with an average award size of $71,732. The foundation received significant recognition in 2024 when it was selected as one of 343 organizations nationwide to receive a $7 million gift from the MacKenzie Scott Foundation. President Dr. Yvonne Goldsberry is leading the foundation toward a strategic plan that emphasizes trust-based philanthropy, participatory grantmaking, and shifting power to communities most affected by health disparities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Opportunity Grants: $1,000 - $20,000 (rolling basis)

  • Applications due on the last day of each month
  • Decisions within 6 weeks of deadline
  • One-time funding for typically one year or less
  • Provides responsive pool of funding for projects that address urgent needs and emerging opportunities, innovative projects, and/or projects that build and disseminate knowledge to improve the health of New Hampshire's people
  • Online application available through the foundation's website

Strategic Grants: Invitation only (amounts vary significantly, up to $1 million+)

  • Approximately 90% of the Endowment's grant awards are strategic investments
  • Aligned with program directors' work around five targeted statewide initiatives
  • Multi-year grants possible
  • Recent strategic grants have ranged from $20,000 to over $1 million

Priority Areas

The Endowment focuses on five strategic initiatives:

  1. Healthcare Workforce (Forward Fund): Strengthening NH's clinical placement opportunities, eliminating policy and practice barriers to licensure, and implementing a coordinated State Plan to expand and support the healthcare workforce. Since inception, the Forward Fund (established with $1.9 million from the NH Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association) has allocated more than $400,000 to research and address workforce shortages.

  2. Children's Behavioral Health: Proactive investment in leadership and advocacy, and public policy change within NH's children's behavioral health systems. Recognizing that one in five NH children face social and emotional challenges, the foundation works to address the underfunded, fragmented, and uncoordinated system.

  3. Healthy Aging: Creating a more age-friendly New Hampshire through the NH Alliance for Healthy Aging, a movement of more than 300 stakeholders developing and implementing creative strategies and advancing important policies. Also supports the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging (TSLCA) to promote shared learning across Northern New England.

  4. Health Equity: Addressing root causes of health disparities through collaboration and collective impact, with emphasis on understanding structural inequality through data and lived experiences, centering transformative and relational change, and shifting power to those most affected.

  5. Early Childhood: Supporting programs that ensure healthy developmental trajectories for New Hampshire's youngest residents.

Additional Focus: The foundation has made civic engagement and community power building key priorities, with many 2024 grants focused on these areas. As a signatory to Philanthropy's Promise (National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy initiative), the Endowment commits to allocating the majority of grantmaking dollars to marginalized communities and at least 25% to social justice strategies such as advocacy, community organizing, and civic engagement.

What They Don't Fund

For Opportunity Grants specifically:

  • Out of state projects
  • Ongoing operating expenses
  • Equipment purchases
  • Sponsorships for events/conferences
  • Capital campaigns and/or fundraising events
  • Lobbying
  • Expenses already incurred
  • Replacement of public funding
  • Sectarian or religious programs
  • Activities directly or indirectly supporting political activities including political campaigns

Geographic Requirement: All projects must serve the people of New Hampshire.

Governance and Leadership

President

Dr. Yvonne Goldsberry, President of Endowment for Health

Dr. Goldsberry has stated: "I am honored to be taking the helm at the Endowment for Health. I am particularly proud to be working with the talented team here and am confident in our future as we work with our community partners in various fields to improve health for the state's most vulnerable and underserved residents."

On the MacKenzie Scott gift, she noted: "The Endowment continues to push for transformation, to make New Hampshire a state where opportunity is universal and where justice and equity are the standard."

On community investments: "We're not going anywhere, so why not? We should be going deep where we can with opportunities in New Hampshire like this one."

Board of Directors

  • Chris Matthews (Chair) - Associate Professor of Global Business and Leadership at Southern New Hampshire University
  • Marie Ramas (Vice Chair) - Medical Director at GateHouse Treatment Center
  • Steve Lawlor (Treasurer) - Principal at Nathan Wechsler & Company, P.A.
  • Mike Devlin (Secretary) - Chief Program Officer at South Middlesex Opportunity Council
  • Adeola Adeniyi - Chief Financial Officer at Mokse Educational Services; Adjunct Professor at Southern New Hampshire University
  • Virginia Irwin - Former Director of Education, Department of Education
  • Shawn LaFrance - Deacon at Episcopal Church; Former Vice President for Population Health at Dartmouth Health–Cheshire Medical Center
  • Kathleen McGuire - Senior Associate Justice at NH Superior Court
  • Tim Murphy - Executive Director at Southwest Region Planning Commission

Key Staff

  • Sue Fulton - Staff member
  • Andie Hession - Grants Program Associate

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Opportunity Grants (Open Application):

  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis
  • Due on the last day of each month
  • Online application available at endowmentforhealth.org/target-initiatives/opportunity-grants
  • Must include narrative, budget showing project costs and funding sources
  • Applicants should identify realistic, attainable, and measurable outcomes
  • Demonstrate applicant's ability to successfully implement the project
  • Show collaboration with other organizations where applicable

Strategic/Program Grants (Invitation Only):

  • Approximately 90% of grants are strategic investments
  • Requires narrative, workplan, and intended outcome metrics using the Endowment's Measurement Framework
  • Templates provided to assist with applications
  • Aligned with the five targeted statewide initiatives

Eligibility:

  • Nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code
  • Government agencies
  • Schools, colleges, and universities
  • Projects must serve the people of New Hampshire
  • Should serve or have the potential to serve a wide geographic area of NH and/or a significant population of NH residents

Decision Timeline

Opportunity Grants: Applicants can anticipate a decision within 6 weeks of the deadline (last day of each month).

Strategic Grants: Timeline varies based on the specific initiative and scope of the project.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available. However, the foundation awarded:

  • 70 grants in 2024
  • 73 grants in 2023
  • 70 grants in 2022
  • More than 1,800 grants totaling over $77 million since 2001

Recent data shows 65 grants to 44 organizations in a 12-month period (2024), suggesting multiple grants to some organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly detailed. Interested applicants should contact the Endowment directly at 603-228-2448 or reach out to Grants Program Associate Andie Hession for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Approach and Philosophy

The Endowment for Health prioritizes:

  • Understanding structural inequality through data and lived experiences
  • Centering transformative and relational change
  • Shifting power to those most affected by the issues
  • Listening to — and acting with — communities
  • Developing accountable leadership
  • Trust-based philanthropy and participatory grantmaking

What They Look For

Strategic Alignment: Projects that address root causes of health disparities through collaboration and collective impact, supporting innovative projects that create meaningful, lasting solutions, and prioritizing strategies to drive systemic change.

Measurable Outcomes: Applications should identify realistic, attainable, and measurable outcomes that address the identified need. The foundation provides a Measurement Framework to assist applicants.

Implementation Capacity: Demonstrate your organization's ability to successfully implement the proposed project.

Collaboration: Evidence of collaboration with other organizations strengthens applications.

Community-Centered: Projects that embrace equity-centered approaches and share power with community leaders at every phase are particularly valued.

Geographic Reach: Projects should serve or have the potential to serve a wide geographic area of New Hampshire and/or a significant population of NH residents.

Recent Funded Projects (Examples from 2024)

  • Civic Engagement: $80,000 to four communities for building greater resident connections and trust-building across difference, including Granite State Organizing Project, Inc., Manchester ($20,000) and City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services ($20,000)
  • Community Conversations: Leadership New Hampshire, Living Room Conversations ($11,900) to provide facilitated discussion at regional events focused on local solutions and collaboration
  • Poverty and Vulnerability: Health Strategies of New Hampshire, NH Poverty, Vulnerability, Rurality & Resilience Initiative ($30,000) to identify potential solutions
  • Healthcare Workforce: Foundation for Healthy Communities awarded $1 million over five years to create an "innovation fund" for creative initiatives addressing NH's healthcare workforce shortage
  • Capacity Building: Give Black Alliance's #CouchConversations ($2,000)

Language and Terminology

The foundation uses terms such as:

  • "Vulnerable and underserved populations"
  • "Root causes of health disparities"
  • "Collaboration and collective impact"
  • "Systemic change"
  • "Trust-based philanthropy"
  • "Participatory grantmaking"
  • "Community power building"
  • "Equity-centered approach"
  • "Shared power"
  • "Transformative and relational change"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Know Your Grant Type: Understand that 90% of funding is strategic (invitation only). If you haven't been invited, focus on Opportunity Grants ($1,000-$20,000) as your entry point. Building a relationship through successful Opportunity Grants may lead to strategic partnership opportunities.

  2. Emphasize Health Connection: All projects must be health-related and serve New Hampshire residents. Make explicit connections between your work and health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations. Projects addressing root causes of health disparities are prioritized.

  3. Demonstrate Community Power: The foundation is actively shifting toward participatory grantmaking and trust-based philanthropy. Show how your project centers the voices of those most affected, shares power with community members, and builds community capacity for self-determination.

  4. Use the Measurement Framework: Familiarize yourself with the Endowment's Measurement Framework before applying. Identify realistic, attainable, and measurable outcomes that align with their goals. Templates and resources are available on their website at endowmentforhealth.org/grant-tools.

  5. Align with Strategic Initiatives: Even for Opportunity Grants, showing alignment with one or more of the five strategic initiatives (Healthcare Workforce, Children's Behavioral Health, Healthy Aging, Health Equity, Early Childhood) strengthens your application. Review their recent grants at endowmentforhealth.org/awarded-grants to understand current priorities.

  6. Build Relationships: Contact Grants Program Associate Andie Hession or call 603-228-2448 before applying if you have questions. The foundation values collaboration and partnership. Consider how your organization might collaborate with other NH organizations to create greater impact.

  7. Think Systemic Change: The foundation prioritizes strategies that drive systemic change rather than band-aid solutions. Frame your project in terms of addressing structural inequality, creating lasting solutions, and building knowledge that can be disseminated to improve health statewide.

References

  1. Endowment for Health official website - www.endowmentforhealth.org (Accessed November 2025)

  2. Endowment for Health, Opportunity Grants page - https://endowmentforhealth.org/target-initiatives/opportunity-grants (Accessed November 2025)

  3. Endowment for Health, Forward Fund page - https://endowmentforhealth.org/target-initiatives/forward-fund (Accessed November 2025)

  4. Endowment for Health, Healthy Aging page - https://endowmentforhealth.org/target-initiatives/healthy-aging (Accessed November 2025)

  5. Endowment for Health, Applying for a Grant page - https://endowmentforhealth.org/applying-for-a-grant (Accessed November 2025)

  6. Endowment for Health, Awarded Grants page - https://endowmentforhealth.org/awarded-grants (Accessed November 2025)

  7. Endowment for Health, People page - https://www.endowmentforhealth.org/people (Accessed November 2025)

  8. "$7 Million Gift from MacKenzie Scott Foundation" - Endowment for Health Press Release - https://endowmentforhealth.org/news/endowment-for-health-receives-7-million-gift-from-mackenzie-scott-foundation-first-round-of-awards-made-to-nh-community-organizations-totaling-947-500 (Accessed November 2025)

  9. "Endowment for Health begins distributing $7m Mackenzie Scott gift" - NH Business Review - https://www.nhbr.com/endowment-for-health-begins-distributing-7m-mackenzie-scott-gift/ (Accessed November 2025)

  10. "Endowment for Health awarded more than $4.6M over past year" - The Nashua Telegraph, December 19, 2024 - https://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/2024/12/19/endowment-for-health-awarded-more-than-4-6m-over-past-year/ (Accessed November 2025)

  11. Endowment for Health - GuideStar Profile - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/02-0512290 (Accessed November 2025)

  12. Endowment for Health - Instrumentl 990 Report - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/endowment-for-health-inc (Accessed November 2025)

  13. Endowment for Health - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/20512290 (Accessed November 2025)

  14. "Funding Details: New Hampshire Opportunity Grants" - Rural Health Information Hub - https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/3972 (Accessed November 2025)

  15. "The Forward Fund: Focusing on the Needs of NH's Healthcare Workforce" - Institute on Disability, UNH - https://iod.unh.edu/blog/2022/04/foward-fund-focusing-needs-nhs-healthcare-workforce (Accessed November 2025)

  16. "Building Strong Foundations: Addressing the Needs of Diverse Families in New Hampshire" - Grantmakers In Health - https://www.gih.org/views-from-the-field/building-strong-foundations-addressing-the-needs-of-diverse-families-in-new-hampshire/ (Accessed November 2025)

  17. Endowment for Health - NH Center for Nonprofits - https://www.nhnonprofits.org/organizations/endowment-health-0 (Accessed November 2025)

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