Civic Health
We believe that everyone in New Hampshire should be able to participate meaningfully in community life and the democratic process and feel that they belong.
Why it matters
Civic health — participation, belonging, trust, civility, and inclusion in democratic institutions — is the underpinning of healthy communities.
Civic health is not only about supporting reliable local journalism, or removing barriers to voting, or providing tools for civic dialogue across difference. It is also about fostering cooperation, social cohesion, sharing of resources, empathy, critical thinking, inclusion, welcoming public spaces, room for dissent and understanding of how our democratic systems work and why they matter.
While everyone has a stake in civic health, those who are most vulnerable — people with low incomes, immigrants, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, youth — are the most likely to be harmed by eroding civic health.
New Hampshire has historically prided itself on a tradition of people coming together to solve shared problems. But we are becoming increasingly divided, trusting one another less, more segregated by class and subject to gerrymandered voting districts. Our legislature has passed restrictions on voting and laws that send the message to some Granite Staters that they do not belong. Teachers are getting mixed messages about whether they can teach the nuances and complexity of American history. Hate crimes have increased in the U.S. And many people who have come to this country to work hard, build better lives and contribute to community are now living in fear.
The imperative to address misinformation, polarization and other forces that threaten our democracy and civic health has never been more urgent.
By the numbers
50
New Hampshire’s rank for ease of voting, among
all states.
83%
Percentage of New Hampshire 18-year-olds who, once they were registered to vote then followed through and voted in the 2022 midterms.
27.2%
Percentage of New Hampshire 18-year-olds who were registered to vote as of October 2024.
54.8%
Percentage of New Hampshire high school students who strongly agree or agree that in their community they feel like they matter to people.
What we're doing
The Foundation is supporting nonpartisan efforts to improve voting access and voter engagement; advocacy to support inclusive voting laws and policies; investigative reporting and local journalism; and efforts to help young people be heard and included in discussions and policy decisions that affect their lives. We are working with generous donors who are committed to strengthening civic health and healing societal divisions.
Working to make sure eligible voters can vote
Grants are supporting nonprofits to engage in nonpartisan work pushing back against efforts that would restrict voting access; to help young people register to vote; and to plan for future efforts to advance participation and fair representation.
Promoting understanding and the importance of democracy
Support for New Hampshire Public Radio’s award-winning Civics 101 podcast helps people in New Hampshire and across the nation understand the workings and importance of democratic institutions.
Supporting local news
Grant funding is helping the Granite State News Collaborative to ensure that news that is ethically and accurately reported is shared among news outlets across the state.
Helping young people engage
Investments in grassroots groups are helping young people to speak up, share what they care about, and participate meaningfully in our democracy.
Short-term goals
Given recent federal and state policy and budget actions, our focus for the next three to five years will be:
Help protect voting access and democratic participation
Invest in the ability of nonpartisan nonprofit organizations to respond to threats to democracy, to engage community, to educate people navigating new voting rules and to prevent further erosion of voting rights.
Support local news
Continue to support local news and investigative reporting, emphasizing collaboration and sharing of information across trusted outlets.
Respond to immediate needs
Listen to nonprofit partners and support their work to address evolving challenges and to push back against efforts to undermine inclusion and belonging.
Speak up for democracy
Use the Foundation’s voice to speak on behalf of democratic norms, institutions and values.
Stories and Updates
“Know Your News” campaign kicks off
The Granite State News Collaborative and the New England Newspaper and Press Association are running a month-long campaign about the importance of the First Amendment, press freedom, and local journalism. The Foundation is a proud supporter of the News Collaborative.
Courage in community
New Hampshire Listens specializes in hard conversations — that are also productive.
Local news matters
Nonprofit news outlets are shedding light on important stories in northern New Hampshire and Vermont.
For more information, contact:
- Deborah Schachter
- Director of Public Policy
603-225-6641 ext 259
Email Deborah