Couch Family Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- This foundation’s geographic focus covers the Upper Valley (Grafton, Sullivan, Orange and Windsor counties) and Martha’s Vineyard, with priority given to New Hampshire, so check your organisation sits within that area before applying.
- Most grants are modest: half of its grants were $15,000 or less, and the stated grant range is up to $10,000, so a modest request fits best under the Cherished Communities priority, which runs through an online portal across three annual cycles each year; first-time applicants are encouraged to contact staff for guidance before applying.
- The Statewide ECE priority, by contrast, is invitation only and does not accept unsolicited applications, so don't apply to that strand speculatively.
- With 61% of grant dollars going to organisations also funded in the prior two filings, this looks like a relationship-led funder, so building a connection with staff first is likely to help.
- Applicants should not apply if they are individuals, religious organisations, public, private or independent elementary or secondary schools, or lack 501(c)3 status or fiscal sponsorship through a 501(c)3; those seeking event sponsorship should only apply if they already have an established relationship with the foundation, and anyone considering capital support, event sponsorship or unrestricted funding should contact the foundation before applying.
Overview
Couch Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Hanover, NH.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation’s mission is to improve opportunities for children and their families so they can learn, thrive and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Its statewide early care and education priority supports a high-quality, affordable and equitable New Hampshire system, particularly for young children, low-income families and communities of colour. In its Cherished Communities priority, it supports nonprofits serving the Upper Valley and Martha’s Vineyard to advance child and family well-being and build conditions for children to thrive. Its work includes early learning and development, health and mental health, family support, and strengthening community capacity. It favours organisations with strong leadership, impact, collaborative approaches and a commitment to racial equity; statewide work also includes advocacy, research and policy capacity in early care and education.
Themes
- Early care and education
- Child and family well-being
- Family support services
- Resilient communities
Geographic Focus
Upper Valley: Grafton, Sullivan, Orange and Windsor counties; Martha’s Vineyard. Priority: New Hampshire.
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals
- Religious organizations
- Public, private, or independent elementary and secondary schools
- Organizations that do not have 501(c)3 nonprofit status or fiscal sponsorship through a 501(c)3 organization
- Event Sponsorships only: organizations without an established relationship with the Couch Family Foundation
How to apply
Under the Cherished Communities priority, organisations apply through the online portal during three annual cycles; first-time applicants are encouraged to contact staff for guidance before applying. The Statewide ECE priority is by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited applications.
Deadlines: Three grant application cycles each year.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 61% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 436 grants to organisations were $15,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- It prioritizes organisations with strong leadership, deep community relationships, collaboration in community building and a demonstrated focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.
- It prioritizes nonprofits serving its cherished communities that advance child and family well-being and build conditions for children to thrive.
- It prefers new grant seekers to propose project-based grants; those interested in unrestricted funding are encouraged to contact staff before applying.
- Applicants should contact the foundation before applying for capital support or event sponsorship.
- Event Sponsorships are supported only for organizations with an established relationship with the foundation.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
4 other states: 2%
- The largest single recipient received 6% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 61% of grant dollars went to organisations Couch Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 6% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 106 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $20,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Early Care and Education Association · General support$605,0002024 tax year
- Carsey School Of Public Policy University System · General support$536,5002024 tax year
- New Futures · General support$500,0002024 tax year
- MomsRising · General support$491,5002024 tax year
- New Hampshire Charitable Foundation · General support$280,0002024 tax year
- Third Sector New England · General support$250,0002024 tax year
- Waypoint · General support$205,0002024 tax year
- Society for Research in Child Development · General support$199,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Sara Vecchiotti — Executive Director
- Barbara J Couch — Trustee
- Richard W Couch — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $7,314,043 | $5,144,501 | $144,187,740 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $9,015,544 | $5,865,116 | $161,933,313 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $9,432,000 | $6,107,259 | $171,012,142 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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Applying to Couch Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required