Our History

1914

 World’s first community foundation was organized in Cleveland, OH.

March 9, 1962

 The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is incorporated with funds from the Spaulding-Potter Trusts.

1968

 Jean Hennessey becomes first full-time Executive Director.

1969

The Foundation Reform Act was signed into law.  The law creates distinction between “private” and “public” foundations; family trusts become subject to federal taxes and restrictions.  As a result, several NH family foundations begin their affiliation with the Foundation.

1971

Assets: $700,000.  Grants:  $245,000.  NH Citizens’ Scholarship Fund, the precursor to the Foundation Student Aid Program, is established.
1972 Assets:  $3 million.
1973 With a staff of nine, the Foundation moves to One South Street, where it remains for 20 years.
1975 First “Pooled Income Fund” set up by any community foundation in the country is created at the Foundation.
1978 Assets:  $5.3 million.  Grants:  $770,000.
1979 William B. Hart, Jr. takes the reins as Executive Director.
1980 Grants and loans from the Foundation exceed $1 million.
1982 The Corporate Fund is established with a goal of improving management, financial, and strategic planning for NH’s nonprofits.  Since its founding, The Corporate Fund has provided more than $2 million to strengthen NH’s nonprofit sector.
1983 The Piscataqua Region (formerly the Greater Piscataqua Community Foundation), the Foundation’s first region, is established.
1985 The North Country Region (formerly the Northern New Hampshire Foundation) is established.
1986 Lewis M. Feldstein of Hancock is named President of the Foundation.  Staff numbers 11.
1992 The Lakes Region (formerly the Lakes Region Charitable Foundation) is established.
1993 The Foundation moves around the corner to 37 Pleasant Street, Concord.
1994 The Upper Valley Region (formerly the Upper Valley Community Foundation) is established.
1995 Assets:  $113 million; with $7.8 million in grant awards and loans from the Foundation and its affiliated trusts.
1997 New Futures is launched thanks to an anonymous gift of $9 million – the largest to date – to promote and support reduction of alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems in NH.
1998

The Monadnock Region (formerly the Monadnock Community Foundation) is established.  The Foundation distributes $9 million in grants.

2000 The Manchester Region (formerly the Manchester Regional Community Foundation) is established.  Total Foundation assets:  $220 million.  The Upper Valley Region receives its largest gift to date – The Wellborn Fund - $9.5 million for environmental education.
2002 The Foundation celebrates 40 years of philanthropy.  The Greater Nashua Charitable Foundation joins with the Foundation to create the Nashua Region (formerly the Greater Nashua Division).  The Foundation distributes over $16 million in grants and scholarships and loans.
2003 The Foundation receives a gift of $31.2 million, the largest gift to date, from an anonymous donor to establish the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Fund. The purpose of the Fund will be to support work on reducing alcohol, tobacco and other drugs problems in NH.
2006 Assets:  $407 million.  Grants:  $30 million.
37 Pleasant Street // Concord, NH 03301 // (603) 225-6641