Community Grants Program – Express Grants

This competitive grants program awards project support (for a set of activities conducted during a specified period of time and with clear deliverables that further the organization’s mission or build organization capacity) of $5,000 or less to eligible organizations.

Please listen to our grantseeker information session webinar to learn more about the improvements we’ve made to our 2018 Community Grants program.

  • Geographic focus

    Projects serving New Hampshire and selected communities in Maine and Vermont within the Foundation’s eight regions: Capital, Lakes, Manchester, Monadnock, Nashua, North Country, Piscataqua and Upper Valley.

  • Eligibility

    Applicants must be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or be a school, municipality or other subdivision of government. Organizations that do not have public charity status may apply for grants if another public charity acts as a fiscal sponsor.

    Organizations are eligible for one grant per calendar year from the Community Grants program (which includes unrestricted grants and express grants). If an organization has received funding in the previous year or has an active grant, a progress or final grant report must be submitted to be considered for funding.

    The Foundation does not accept proposals through our community grants program that are focused on substance use disorders prevention, treatment and/or recovery services. Such proposals are by invitation-only, and administered outside of the Community Grants program. For information on our Substance Use Disorders Portfolio and to discuss grant opportunities with appropriate staff, please visit our Substance Use Disorders Portfolio.

  • What we look for

    • Clear community need for the project
    • Timeliness: Why is this a strategic time to invest in the project?
    • A clear and realistic plan describing what will be accomplished
    • A description of the expected impact of your work

  • Grant amount

    Up to $5,000

  • Recent grants

    See a complete list of 2017 Community Grants.

  • Application deadlines

    Please check back for 2019 application deadline.

  • This program does not fund

    • Operating expenses
    • Religious programs (although-faith based organizations are welcome to apply for non-religious programs)
    • Deficit reduction or expenses already incurred
    • Capital campaigns or land acquisition
    • Programs that are typically the responsibility of federal, state or municipal funding.
    • Academic research
    • Programs that re-grant funds to others
    • Project proposals that have been declined by the Foundation more than once
    • Grants to individuals
    • Multiple grant proposals from the same organization for the Community Grants program (Unrestricted or Express grants) in the same calendar year.
    • Substance use disorder prevention, treatment or recovery supports services. (For information about the Foundation’s grantmaking and other work in this area, please contact Tym Rourke at 603-225-6641 ext 295 or email).

  • Frequently asked questions

    Read our frequently asked questions to our Community Grants Program.

Application and grant process

Step 1

Determine eligibility.

Carefully read the information provided above to determine if you are eligible.

Step 2

Log in or create a new profile in GrantSource.

Log in to GrantSource, update your profile and access open applications. If you have never applied, please create a new profile using the “Register here” button.

Step 3

Complete and submit the online application.

Use this template to prepare your application questions.

Step 4

Receive funding.

If your application is awarded, you will be notified within six weeks of the application deadline.

Step 5

Publicize your grant.

If you are awarded funding and you’d like to share the good news, please refer to our grantee press kit.

Step 6

Report.

At the end of your grant period, you will be required to complete a final report. Applicants who do not submit a final grant report will not be considered for future funding.

Log in to GrantSource and submit your final report via the online portal.

We're here to help

  • Wendy Cahill
  • Senior Community Grants Associate