Responsive Grants Program

Responsive Grants provide a rolling opportunity for nonprofits to seek timely support for organizational or community needs.

We invite nonprofits serving New Hampshire — and select bordering communities in Maine and Vermont — to submit a brief application describing an identified organization or community need.

Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis. We will work to align requests with available philanthropic funds at the Foundation whose purpose language — including issue area, geographic focus and populations served — match the work described.

Funding decisions will be shared within 15–20 business days of submission.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available for one year of support. Funding may be used for operating expenses or specific projects or initiatives tied to addressing a clearly defined organization or community need.

While this grant program represents one part of the Foundation’s broader grantmaking portfolio, it is designed to provide a streamlined, timely pathway for support as needs arise.

Responsive Grant applications also provide important information that may be shared with Foundation donor-advised fundholders about the work of nonprofits and community needs. Completing an organizational profile in the Foundation’s GrantSource system helps us to share the impact of your organization’s work.

Geographic focus

Organizations serving New Hampshire and select bordering communities in Maine and Vermont (see list below) may apply. Organizations that are headquartered outside of the Charitable Foundation’s service area and are currently implementing programs in New Hampshire (and/or the towns listed below) are eligible and must be clear in sharing the communities they will serve with their request.

Maine
Berwick
North Berwick
South Berwick
Eliot
Kittery
York

Vermont
Baltimore
Barnard
Bethel
Bradford
Bridgewater
Cavendish
Chelsea
Chester
Corinth
Fairlee
Groton
Hartford
Hartland
Newbury
Norwich
Pomfret
Randolph
Reading
Royalton
Ryegate
Sharon
Springfield
Strafford
Thetford
Topsham
Tunbridge
Vershire
Washington
Weathersfield
West Fairlee
West Windsor
Windsor
Woodstock
Eligibility
Eligible to apply:
- Organizations that are 501(c)(3) public charities operating in New Hampshire and select bordering areas of Maine and Vermont
- Non 501(c)(3) organizations implementing charitable activities with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor
- Religious-based nonprofits for the support of charitable activities that are open to all community members
Not eligible to apply:
- Private, non-operating foundations
- Private, operating foundations
- Public, charter, and private schools
- Hospitals
- Colleges/universities
- Municipalities
- State government agencies
- Non-501(c)(3) organizations (without a fiscal sponsor)
- Organizations that received a multiyear Community Grant awarded in December 2024 and December 2025
- Nonprofit partners receiving a New Hampshire Charitable Foundation initiative-based grant, invited grantees or grantees of the Tillotson Local or Large grant program are not eligible to apply. Please reach out to tenagncc@aups.bet if you are unsure whether this includes your organization.
Grant amount

Requests may be submitted for up to $10,000 for a one-year grant period. Organizations may only submit one request per year. Because funding is limited, please 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 (in the application narrative) why such an amount is needed and how the organization plans to increase funding from other sources.
Other application considerations

We will confirm that applicants are in good standing with the IRS, the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office, and the Charitable Trust Unit of the New Hampshire Department of Justice. A financial trends analysis created through a nonprofit’s Candid profile may be downloaded as part of the application, if it is available.
Application deadline

Requests are accepted on a rolling basis beginning March 9, 2026 until funds are fully allocated. Because requests are reviewed as they are received, organizations may wish to submit early in the program year. An update on a program closing date will be shared later this summer.
Frequently asked questions

View our frequently asked questions.

Application and grant process

Step 1

Determine eligibility.

Carefully read the information provided above to determine if you are eligible, and read our frequently asked questions.

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.

The application will consist primarily of two questions:

Please describe the current organizational, project, or community need that your organization is requesting funds to address and how this funding will help you meet that need. (Consider in your response: How will this funding help your organization to meet the current need or build capacity to advance your goals and strategies?)
How does your organization build community where everyone can thrive? (Consider in your response: How does your organization ensure that programs and service are inclusive to people who may face barriers to access?)

Step 4

Receive funding.

Grant decisions will be made by staff within 15 to 20 business days of submission and shared with applicants via email from GrantSource. If awarded, an official “notification of grant award” email will be sent separately, and checks will be mailed within one or two weeks of that notification.

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.

A brief final report is due a year after a grant from this program is awarded. This report will be available for completion and submission through the GrantSource portal. To submit a grant report, log in to GrantSource and submit your final report via the online portal. Other reporting options are available such as a meeting or phone call to update staff on grant progress. If submitting a written report poses a challenge, please contact staff to discuss these options. Please note that applicants who do not submit a final grant report will not be considered for future funding.

Application and grant process

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