Giving to boost civic health

Robust civic health is vital to community problem-solving, trust, engagement, a sense of belonging — and so much more. But recent years have seen worrisome trends, including decline in local news, rise in disinformation, increased polarization, efforts to restrict voting rights and decreased trust in government and in one another.

Looking for ways to help New Hampshire nonprofits that are working to nurture civic health?

Below is a partial list of organizations which the Charitable Foundation has supported with grants in this area:

Civic dialogue

NH Listens, a program of the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire, which provides facilitated civic dialogue and civil discourse across difference to solve problems, and trains adults who work with youth to better support youth voice and action.

Civics Education

NH Civics  (formerly the NH Institute for Civics Education), which trains K-12 teachers in effective methods for teaching civics, and brings projects like the Mikva Challenge to New Hampshire to engage middle school students in public speaking on policy topics they care about.

Civic participation

Citizens Count, which provides tools for online civic engagement including detailed, non-partisan profiles of elected officials and candidates for office, as well as information on bill topics.

City Year New Hampshire, which develops the civic leadership skills of young adults by giving them the opportunity to work in high-need New Hampshire schools to help children thrive.

Leadership NH, which brings together a cohort of people each year to learn about the complex issues facing our state, to connect with one another and to help them serve their communities and our state in positions of leadership and responsibility.

Positive Tracks, which encourages youth leadership and participation through sport in issues ranging from COVID relief to racial equity and climate change.

Local news and media literacy

The Granite State News Collaborative – 17 New Hampshire news and education organizations that share content to enhance access to news and information – including Spanish language programming (“Que Hay de Nuevo, New Hampshire?”) in partnership with NHPR.

Media Power Youth, which provides young people, parents, educators, and communities with curricula, training and workshops to build media literacy knowledge and critical-thinking skills.

The New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism, publisher of the independent online news site InDepth NH.

NHPBS, New Hampshire’s PBS affiliate, which produces “The State We’re In,” focusing on New Hampshire pandemic response and economic recovery.

NHPR, New Hampshire’s NPR affiliate, reporting local news with diligence and accuracy – and  producing the award-winning Civics 101 podcast, which educates listeners nationwide.

Report for America, a nonprofit which places reporters in local newsrooms, including – in New Hampshire – reporters covering education and health at the Concord Monitor.

Voting access

NH Democracy Fund, a nonpartisan group which works to make it easier for Granite Staters to cast their ballots.

Open Democracy, a nonpartisan group which in 2020 embarked on an extensive, statewide voter-outreach campaign to help make sure people understood their eligibility and how to vote absentee during the pandemic.