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Mary And John Elliot Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.3M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $300,000+ (Pearl Manor Fund grants)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Annually (application deadline typically in September)
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000 (typically $10,000 - $25,000; higher amounts considered for highly collaborative programmes)
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Manchester, NH area (10 specific towns)

Contact Details

Main Foundation Contact:

Pearl Manor Fund Contact:

Overview

The Mary & John Elliot Charitable Foundation was established to provide financial support for Elliot Health System, the largest nonprofit provider of comprehensive healthcare services in southern New Hampshire. Whilst the foundation's primary mission is fundraising for the Elliot Health System, it operates one significant grant-making programme: the Pearl Manor Fund. Established in 2005 through a probate court order that transferred approximately $5 million in assets from Women's Aid Home (Pearl Manor) to the foundation, the Pearl Manor Fund has distributed over $3.1 million in grants to benefit thousands of local seniors since its inception. The fund traces its origins to 1875 when women representing 11 Protestant churches founded the Manchester Women's Aid and Relief Society. The foundation has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator (96% overall rating) with an excellent programme expense ratio of 95.15%, demonstrating efficient use of charitable dollars. In 2022, the foundation reported total revenue of $5.5 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Pearl Manor Fund

  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000 (typically $10,000 - $25,000; higher amounts considered for highly collaborative and impactful programmes)
  • Application Method: Annual application cycle with deadline typically in September
  • Recent Grant Rounds:
    • 2021: $300,000 to 8 local nonprofits
    • 2018: $490,000 to 12 local nonprofits
  • Total Distributed: Over $3.1 million since 2005

Priority Areas

The Pearl Manor Fund exclusively supports programmes benefiting the elderly population in the Greater Manchester area. Funded initiatives include:

  • Healthcare: Medical care needs, vision care, health support services
  • Housing: Safe housing needs and home maintenance
  • Nutrition: Meal programmes and nutritional support
  • Transportation: Transportation assistance for seniors to access services
  • Independent Living: Programmes promoting healthy lifestyle choices and independence
  • Family Support: Caregiver support and grandfamily programmes (grandparent-headed households)
  • Social Services: Support groups, home visits, mentoring programmes
  • Legal Assistance: Legal aid services for elderly residents
  • Socialisation: Programmes to reduce isolation and promote community engagement

The fund prioritises programmes that:

  • Demonstrate measurable outcomes and evaluation plans
  • Show organisational capacity to implement projects effectively
  • Involve inter-agency collaboration when feasible
  • Address critical and unmet needs of the elder community

What They Don't Fund

  • Programmes serving populations outside the designated 10-town geographic area
  • Programmes that do not specifically benefit the elderly population
  • For-profit organisations (only 501(c)(3) nonprofits with public charity status are eligible)
  • Programmes outside the scope of elder care, comfort, and treatment

Geographic Focus

Eligible Communities (Greater Manchester area):

  • Allenstown
  • Auburn
  • Bedford
  • Candia
  • Deerfield
  • Dunbarton
  • Goffstown
  • Hooksett
  • Manchester
  • New Boston

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Leadership:

  • Kelli Rafferty: Executive Director of SolutionHealth Philanthropy & Director of Community Benefit
  • Richard Rawlings: Chair, Pearl Manor Fund Advisory Committee
  • Greg Baxter, M.D.: President, Board of Trustees
  • Renee Walsh: Trustee
  • Holly Mintz, M.D.: Trustee
  • Charles F. Rolecek: Trustee
  • James J. Tenn, Jr., Esq.: Trustee

Leadership Perspective:

Richard Rawlings, chair of the Pearl Manor Fund Advisory Committee, emphasised the fund's focus: "The Pearl Manor Fund only grants funds to nonprofit organisations that serve our senior community." He noted that the grants address critical needs like meals, vision care, and transportation for elderly residents in the Manchester area.

The foundation operates with full transparency regarding administrative costs. According to the foundation's materials, "ALL fundraising costs, including personnel, are covered by the Elliot Health System, so there is no administrative or indirect cost rate applied against gifts and grants received. 100% of donations are applied to the uses intended by our donors."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Review Eligibility: Ensure your organisation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with public charity status serving one or more of the 10 designated communities
  2. Access Application: Download the application form from www.elliothospital.org/pearlmanorfund
  3. Submit Application: Applications are reviewed annually by the Pearl Manor Fund Advisory Committee
  4. Contact for Questions: Reach out to Kelli Rafferty at 603-663-3091 or foundation@elliothospital.org

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: Typically in September (check website for current year deadline)
  • Award Announcement: Grants are awarded annually, typically announced in late autumn or early winter
  • Notification Method: Selected organisations are contacted directly
  • Grant Distribution: Awards are distributed when funds are available

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, recent grant rounds indicate:

  • 2018: 12 nonprofits received funding totalling $490,000
  • 2021: 8 nonprofits received funding totalling $300,000

These numbers suggest the fund supports a select group of high-quality projects each year rather than distributing smaller amounts to many organisations.

Reapplication Policy

The Pearl Manor Fund accepts applications for new and expanding projects/programmes annually. Organisations that have received funding in the past may apply for new initiatives or programme expansions. The fund seeks to support ongoing innovation in elder care services.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

To maximise your chances of success with the Pearl Manor Fund:

Focus on Measurable Outcomes: The fund prioritises programmes with clear evaluation plans and measurable outcomes. Include specific metrics that will demonstrate your programme's impact on elderly residents.

Demonstrate Organisational Capacity: Show that your organisation has the infrastructure, staffing, and expertise to successfully implement the proposed programme. Highlight relevant experience serving the elderly population.

Address Unmet Needs: Clearly articulate what critical gap or unmet need your programme addresses in the senior community. The fund seeks to support solutions to pressing challenges.

Consider Collaboration: Applications for highly collaborative programmes receive favourable consideration and may qualify for grants above the typical $25,000 range. If your project involves partnerships with other agencies serving seniors, emphasise these connections.

Geographic Specificity: Clearly identify which of the 10 eligible communities your programme will serve. Demonstrate understanding of the specific needs of elderly residents in these areas.

Funded Programme Examples

Recent Pearl Manor Fund recipients include:

  • Boys & Girls Club of Manchester (first-time recipient): Received funding for their Grandfamily Support Programme, providing financial and family support to members living in grandparent-headed households
  • VNA of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire: Supported programmes providing care services to elderly residents
  • Multiple organisations addressing vision care, meals, and transportation needs

Key Terminology

When preparing your application, align with the fund's language and priorities:

  • "Assistance, comfort, care, and treatment for the elderly population"
  • "Critical and unmet needs of the elder community"
  • "Independent living" and "healthy lifestyle choices"
  • "Family caregiver support"
  • "Inter-agency collaboration"

Common Success Factors

  • New or expanding programmes (the fund seeks innovation, not general operating support)
  • Clear connection to one or more priority areas (healthcare, housing, nutrition, transportation, independent living, family support)
  • Programmes that serve the most vulnerable elderly residents
  • Projects that can demonstrate sustainability or potential for replication

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic Restrictions Are Strict: Your programme must serve elderly residents in one or more of the 10 designated communities (Allenstown, Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Deerfield, Dunbarton, Goffstown, Hooksett, Manchester, or New Boston). Programmes outside this area are not eligible.

  • Elderly-Focused Only: The Pearl Manor Fund exclusively supports programmes for the senior/elderly population. Mixed-age programmes, even if they include seniors, may not be competitive unless the elderly component is clearly distinct and measurable.

  • Think Beyond General Operating: The fund supports "new or expanding projects/programmes" - emphasise innovation and how your initiative goes beyond maintaining existing services.

  • Annual Cycle Requires Planning: With only one application deadline per year (typically September), plan ahead. Missing the deadline means waiting a full year for the next opportunity.

  • Grant Size Suggests Selectivity: With typical grants of $10,000-$25,000 and recent rounds funding 8-12 organisations totalling $300,000-$490,000, the fund appears selective. Only your strongest, most aligned proposals should be submitted.

  • Exceptional Grants Available: Whilst most grants fall in the $10,000-$25,000 range, the fund will consider grants up to $100,000 for highly collaborative and impactful programmes. If your project involves significant partnership and demonstrated impact potential, don't be constrained by the typical range.

  • 100% of Funds Support Programmes: Because Elliot Health System covers all administrative costs, the foundation can direct 100% of the Pearl Manor Fund to grant programmes. This efficiency may create higher expectations for grantee impact and accountability.

References

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