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New Hampshire Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$70.0M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.0M
Decision Time
1mo
Success Rate
20%

New Hampshire Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $947 million (2020)
  • Annual Giving: $70+ million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (scholarship success rate ~20%)
  • Decision Time: Rolling basis - ongoing review
  • Grant Range: $250 - $40,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: New Hampshire and select bordering communities in Maine and Vermont

Contact Details

Website: https://www.nhcf.org/

Phone:

  • Local: 603-225-6641
  • Toll-free: 800-464-6641

Address: 37 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301-4005

Application Portal: GrantSource (accessible through nhcf.org)

Overview

Founded in 1962, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is New Hampshire's statewide community foundation and one of the largest community foundations in the United States. With total assets of $947 million (2020), the Foundation distributes more than $70 million annually in grants and scholarships. In 2023, the Foundation awarded more than $56 million in grants and program initiatives to 1,897 nonprofit organizations, plus nearly $8 million in scholarships to 1,835 students.

The Foundation's current strategic plan, "Together We Thrive," adopted in 2022, focuses on advancing equity, racial justice, and economic security across all Foundation operations. This strategic direction was informed by a Community Listening Team that conducted interviews and surveyed more than 600 New Hampshire residents who have faced barriers to opportunity. The Foundation prioritizes funding for programs advancing health and well-being, environmental protection, education, housing and other basic needs, arts and culture, civic health, and economic security.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants Program (Rolling application)

  • Award: Up to $20,000 per year for up to two years (total of $40,000)
  • Purpose: Unrestricted operating support or project support
  • Geographic scope: New Hampshire and select bordering communities in Maine and Vermont
  • Review process: Rolling basis with decisions shared as applications are reviewed

Dash Grants Program (Coös County)

  • Award: $250 - $2,000
  • Purpose: Sustainable community and economic development projects
  • Geographic scope: Coös County, NH and communities in NH, Maine and Vermont that share a border with Coös County
  • Turnaround time: Three weeks or less, rolling basis

Wellborn Ecology Fund - School-based Project Grants (Upper Valley)

  • Purpose: Place-based ecology education for K-12 and early childhood education centers
  • Geographic scope: Foundation's Upper Valley Region
  • Focus: Increasing access to environmental and ecological science knowledge, particularly in underserved communities

Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation Grants (Strafford County)

  • Purpose: Increasing access to mental health/behavioral health/substance use disorder services; early education/child care; food insecurity
  • Geographic scope: Strafford County residents

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds programs that advance:

  • Health and Well-being: Mental health, substance use disorder prevention and treatment
  • Environmental Protection: Place-based ecology education, sustainability
  • Education: Early childhood education, K-12 support, scholarship opportunities
  • Housing and Basic Needs: Food security, housing stability
  • Arts and Culture: Cultural programs serving communities
  • Civic Health: Community engagement and participation
  • Economic Security: Advancing equity, racial justice, and economic opportunity

Aligned with the "Together We Thrive" strategic plan, the Foundation prioritizes efforts that advance equity, racial justice, and economic security, with particular attention to supporting Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, and other people of color who face disproportionate barriers.

What They Don't Fund

  • Religious activities: The Community Grants Program does not fund religious activities of any kind. However, religious organizations are eligible for project funding to provide services that are non-discriminatory, non-sectarian, and benefit the larger community.
  • Recovery housing: As of 2024, the Foundation is not entertaining funding proposals for recovery housing
  • Organizations without proper legal standing: Applicants must be in good standing with the IRS, the NH Secretary of State's office, and the Charitable Trust Unit of the NH Department of Justice
  • Municipalities, religious-based nonprofits, private operating foundations, and programs with 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors: Eligible only for project-based grants (not unrestricted operating support)
  • Organizations headquartered outside service area: Eligible only for project grants supporting work within NH and eligible bordering communities

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO

Richard Ober serves as President and CEO of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

Board of Directors (Trustees)

Executive Committee:

  • Joe Morone (New Castle) - Chair
  • Barbara J. Couch (Hanover) - Vice Chair
  • Sarah Mattson Dustin (Contoocook) - Treasurer
  • Evelyn Aissa (Concord) - Secretary

Additional Board Members: JerriAnne Boggis (Milford), Jada Hebra (Dunbarton), Ritu Ullal (Hollis), Bobbie Bagley (Nashua), Laurie Gabriel (Jackson), Kristin Girald (Rye), George Bald (Rochester), Dottie Morris (Keene), Pawn Nitichan (Dover), Peter Bergh (Portsmouth), and Jenny Williams (Norwich, VT)

Senior Leadership Team

  • Michael Wilson - Chief Investment and Financial Officer/Senior Vice President
  • Simon Delekta - Vice President of Community Engagement and Impact
  • Melinda Mosier - Vice President of Donor Engagement and Philanthropy Services
  • Kristen Oliveri - Vice President of Communications and Marketing
  • Julie Brown - Vice President for People, Planning and Administration

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation uses an online application portal called GrantSource for all grant applications.

Application Steps:

  1. Determine eligibility: Carefully review program requirements and eligibility criteria for the specific grant program
  2. Review the Frequently Asked Questions: Read application requirements and questions before beginning
  3. Access GrantSource: Log in to GrantSource at https://nhcf.fcsuite.com/erp/portal
  4. Create or update profile: New applicants should create a new profile using the "Register here" button; returning applicants should update their existing profile
  5. Complete and submit application: For Community Grants Program, applications can be submitted anytime after the portal opens

Eligibility Verification Requirements:

  • Applicants must certify they are in good standing with the IRS, NH Secretary of State's office, and the Charitable Trust Unit of the NH Department of Justice
  • The eligibility checklist must be certified/signed by the organization's Executive Director/CEO, Board Chair, or Board Treasurer
  • Organizations must demonstrate basic financial controls and oversight of operations

Decision Timeline

Community Grants Program: Decisions are made and shared with applicants on a rolling basis as applications are reviewed. There is no fixed deadline or notification schedule.

Dash Grants Program: Expedited turnaround of three weeks or less on a rolling basis

General Timeline: The Foundation reviews applications continuously rather than in fixed cycles, allowing for ongoing submission and review.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose success rates for grant applications. However, for context, the scholarship program reports approximately a 20% success rate (one award for every five applications).

In 2023, the Foundation made grants to 1,897 nonprofit organizations, demonstrating substantial reach across New Hampshire's nonprofit sector.

Reapplication Policy

Welcoming reapplication: Eligible applicants whose proposals are declined are welcome to submit another proposal at the next open call for proposals. There are no stated waiting periods or restrictions on reapplication.

Reporting requirement: Applicants who do not submit a final grant report will not be considered for future funding. Timely and complete reporting is essential for maintaining eligibility.

Application Success Factors

Organizational Capacity and Track Record

The Foundation evaluates "main accomplishments in recent years and how organizations and/or projects are positioned for success." Applicants should clearly demonstrate their organization's track record and readiness to achieve proposed outcomes.

Clear Goals and Strategy

Applications are assessed on "goals and strategies of the proposal, and organizational capacity to achieve the desired outcomes." Be specific about what you plan to accomplish and how you will achieve it.

For Unrestricted Operating Support Applications

The Foundation considers:

  • Timing of the request: How it relates to the stability and focus of the organization
  • Financial documents: Whether they indicate "appropriate planning, management, and stability"

Strategic guidance from the Foundation: "Because grants are competitive and funding is limited, carefully consider the right amount to request for your organization. Organizations requesting a grant amount that would be a substantial percentage of their overall annual budget should explain why such an amount is needed and how the organization plans to increase funding from other sources."

For Project-Based Applications

The Foundation evaluates:

  • Community need: Whether the project will address a critical community need
  • Budget clarity: That the project budget is clear and requested funding is appropriate to the size and scope
  • Planned outcomes: Specific, measurable outcomes
  • Collaboration plans: How the organization will work with others

Mission Alignment

Applications are assessed on "how the organization's mission and impact aligns with the focus of the grant program." Demonstrating clear alignment with the Foundation's priority areas—especially their "Together We Thrive" strategic focus on equity, racial justice, and economic security—is essential.

Compliance and Good Standing

The Foundation requires that organizations meet all legal requirements and maintain good standing with regulatory bodies. This includes proper 501(c)(3) status, state registration, and compliance with all reporting requirements.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Think strategically about grant amount: Request an amount appropriate to your organization's size and explain clearly if requesting a substantial percentage of your overall budget, including plans to diversify funding sources

  • Align with "Together We Thrive": The Foundation's current strategic plan prioritizes equity, racial justice, and economic security—demonstrate how your work advances these values

  • Choose the right grant type: Determine whether unrestricted operating support or project support best fits your needs and organizational stage; municipalities and some other organization types are limited to project grants only

  • Demonstrate organizational readiness: Emphasize your track record, organizational capacity, and financial stability—the Foundation looks for organizations positioned for success

  • Apply on a rolling basis: With rolling review, you can apply when ready rather than waiting for fixed deadlines, but ensure your application is complete and compelling before submission

  • Plan for reapplication if needed: Declined applicants are welcome to reapply with no waiting period, so use feedback to strengthen future proposals

  • Complete grant reports on time: Failure to submit final grant reports will disqualify you from future funding—reporting compliance is non-negotiable

References

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