What We’re Up To

New Hampshire Tomorrow

The Foundation is investing in four proven focus areas to increase opportunity for New Hampshire’s kids — from cradle to career.

• Restoring the American Dream: Five Questions for Nisha Patel

  Nisha Patel, who led the U.S. Partnership on Mobility from Poverty, spoke with the Foundation's Lois Shea about why poverty is about more than economic hardship, why the narratives about poverty in the U.S. need to change, and why she is optimistic that the American Dream can be restored

• Joining forces for our kids

  The People’s United Community Foundation has aligned its New Hampshire grantmaking with the priorities of “New Hampshire Tomorrow,” the Charitable Foundation’s initiative to increase opportunity for young people — helping more kids go to summer camp, enabling more kids to get mentors, supporting wraparound services for struggling young families, and more

• More than $240k in Express Grants awarded

  Weekly grocery deliveries are being made to children during summer break and school vacation weeks; high school cross-country skiers will be able to participate on teams and enjoy New Hampshire’s official state sport; new art will be installed on the Franconia ArtWalk — and much more. The Charitable Foundation’s Express Grants program, which has a streamlined application process and short turnaround time, provides small grants (less than $5,000) to nonprofits in need of flexible funding to help with specific projects and programs

Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund

One of the largest permanent rural philanthropies in the U.S. is strengthening communities and spreading economic opportunity.

• Dreaming big for the North Country

  Megan Flanagan, a four-year recipient of the Neil and Louise Tillotson Scholarship, graduated last spring from the University of Vermont with a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism. She is now pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration while running two small businesses — and dreaming of a bright future in the North Country

• Melissa Jellison awarded 2019 Louise Tillotson Teaching Fellowship

  Life science teacher and the STEAM coordinator at White Mountains Regional High School awarded fellowship that recognizes excellence in public education and strives to retain outstanding educators in North Country schools

• Students garner life lessons on the trail

  Jobs for America's Graduates and the Appalachian Mountain Club have partnered up to offer Berlin students meaningful, paid summer employment, skill-building work in environmental stewardship, and exposure to careers in conservation and land management

Substance Use Disorders Portfolio

The Foundation has made a long-term commitment to reduce substance use among New Hampshire youth.

• Charitable Foundation designated a ‘recovery-friendly workplace’

  The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has been designated a recovery-friendly workplace by Governor Christopher T. Sununu. The governor’s “recovery-friendly workplace initiative” promotes wellness for Granite Staters by empowering workplaces to provide support for people recovering from substance use disorders and those supporting family members in recovery

• Shaping policy through advocacy

  The Charitable Foundation's Tym Rourke reflects on the history of a policy-first approach to funding in the area of substance use disorders prevention, treatment and recovery that was not always popular, but that has led to lasting and meaningful change. Rourke and Charitable Foundation President and CEO Richard Ober will be presenting on "Foundations and Policy Leadership" at the Center for Effective Philanthropy's national conference in May

• A New Life program is helping moms and babies thrive

  Moms and babies affected by the state's opioid crisis are getting wraparound treatment and services in a midwife-created program at North Conway's Memorial Hospital

Wellborn Ecology Fund

The Wellborn Ecology Fund is dedicated to increasing environmental and ecological science knowledge in the Upper Valley.

• Tick-borne diseases on the rise

  In the latest installment of "The Outside Story," sponsored by the Wellborn Ecology Fund: Ticks are more abundant than ever before in northern New England, and tick-borne diseases are on the rise. Read more about why, and how to stay safe while still enjoying time outside this summer

• Why animals’ eyes shine at night (but people’s don’t)

  In the latest installment of "The Outside Story," sponsored by the Wellborn Ecology Fund, learn about eyeshine in animals, which is produced by a membrane called the tapetum lucidum (“tapestry of light”), a reflective surface located behind the retina

• The power of a very generous crowd

  Here are just a few examples of what happens in New Hampshire communities when people give, and work, together