Wellborn Ecology Fund- School-based Project Grants

The Wellborn Ecology Fund is dedicated to using “the power of place” to increase environmental and ecological science knowledge in the Upper Valley. Since 2013, the Foundation has been focusing Wellborn resources to increase access to place-based ecology education for children and youth, with particular emphasis on K-12 and early childhood education centers in underserved communities.

Geographic focus

Funding limited to the Foundation’s Upper Valley Region. See a map of eligible towns.
Eligibility

Must be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or be a public 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.

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals, and will not knowingly make grants (including those recommended by donor-advised-fund holders), to organizations whose mission or programs promote hate, or run counter to principles of basic respect, justice and equity.
Grant amount

Up to $5,000

On a case-by-case basis, larger amounts may be considered. If you are contemplating a project proposal for an amount greater than $5,000, a pre-application consultation is required. Please contact Traci Fowler at Genpv.Sbjyre@aups.bet.
Recent grants

2024 Grants

Koasek of Turtle Island of Alstead, NH, received $3,500 to support the development and implementation of a school-age ecological program on indigenous farming techniques, history, and culture.

SAU #32 – Plainfield School District in Meriden, NH, received $5,000 to support year-long K-8 science teacher professional development to restore a culture of place-based ecology education.

White River Partnership, Inc., of South Royalton, VT, received $5,000 to engage 20 Wellborn-area schools in classroom and field work activities that create opportunities for hands-on, place-based ecology education in the White River watershed.

Ledyard Charter School, of Lebanon, NH, received $5,000 to develop an adventure-based, expedition-based Winter Outdoor Leadership Program for high-need, at-risk teenagers.

The Vermont Center for Ecostudies, Inc. of Norwich, VT, received $5,000 to support the Vermont Center for Ecostudies’ Community Science Teacher Workshop for Upper Valley educators.

Linking Lands Alliance, of White River Junction, VT, received $5,000 to support Linking Lands Alliance’s (LLA) Scientific Maps Go to School Project to increase awareness of wildlife habitat needs and environmental literacy in the Upper Valley.

John Hay Estate at the Fells, of Newbury, NH, received $5,000 to support ecology programming for schools, youth and families in the Upper Valley.
Application deadline

Deadline: Rolling with final submissions for 2025 by Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants can anticipate a response within three weeks of submitting their application.

Application and grant process

Step 1

Read the instructions for grant applications document.

Before applying, please learn about the priorities of this grant program by reading the instructions for grant applications document.

Step 2

Create an organization profile in GrantSource.

If you have previously applied for grants from the Foundation through GrantSource, please log in with the email and password associated with your account. You may need to update your organizational profile. If you’ve forgotten your password, click the “forgot password” feature to initially log in and then follow the prompts to change your password.

If you are a new applicant, visit GrantSource and create your organization profile by clicking on the “Register here” button.

Step 3

Complete the online application.

Answer the questions in GrantSource.

Step 4

Receive funding.

Requests will typically be notified of funding within three weeks of submission.

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 for information on how to publicize your grant.

Step 6

Report.

Please log in to GrantSource and submit your final grant report via the online portal.

Application and grant process

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