Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund awards nearly $1 million to support the North Country

CONCORD, NH (PRESS RELEASE) – The Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation recently awarded 10 grants totaling $978,732.

Families throughout the North Country will have increased access to nutritious foods. Community forests in Gorham and Milan will expand, providing additional income, lumber and open space for recreation. A local community college will train students for high-demand careers in industrial mechanics. And more.

Established in 2006, the Tillotson Fund is one of the largest permanent rural philanthropies in the country, distributing more than $3 million in grants annually to support projects that focus on community revitalization. Grants are awarded to municipal, educational and nonprofit organizations throughout northern New Hampshire and bordering communities in the United States and Canada.

“From meeting basic needs to building a more sustainable economy for rural places to preserving majestic natural landscapes, nonprofits in the North Country are doing the work every day of making our communities stronger,” said Phoebe Backler, Foundation senior program officer for the Tillotson Funds. “We are proud to be able to support that work.”

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Catholic Charities New Hampshire of Manchester, NH received $329,560 (over three years) to strengthen coordination of community food security efforts through the New Hampshire Food Bank to increase access to nutritious food for low-income children and adults throughout Coös County.

The Conservation Fund of Gorham, NH received $95,500 to complete the final due diligence and closing costs for additional community forest land in Gorham and Milan, New Hampshire.

Essex North Supervisory Union of Colebrook, NH received $60,000 to continue exploring new models for providing high-quality education and extracurricular activities for preschool through 12^th grade students in northern Coös County and bordering communities in Vermont.

Helping Hands North of Colebrook, NH received $12,000 for general operating support.

North Country Community Recreation Center of Colebrook, NH received $100,000 (over two years) to support capacity-building and general operations.

North Country Education Services of Gorham, NH received $100,000 to continue the development of a framework for social and emotional learning practices.

School Administrative Unit #7 of Colebrook, NH received $69,228 (over three years) to support the Farm-to-School collaboration with educators and area producers.

Societe du Parc Decouverte nature de Baldwin of Coaticook, Quebec received $100,000 to support the development of Aquatica, a new immersive aquatic ecology tourism experience.

Taproot Farm and Environmental Education Center of Lancaster, NH received $75,977 for general operating support.

White Mountains Community College of Berlin, NH received $36,467 (over two years) to support the development of a Millwright program.

About the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is New Hampshire’s statewide community foundation, founded in 1962 by and for the people of New Hampshire. The Foundation manages a growing collection of 2,000 funds created by generous individuals, families and businesses, and awards more than $40 million in grants and scholarships every year. The Foundation works with generous and visionary citizens to maximize the power of their giving, supports great work happening in our communities and leads and collaborates on high-impact initiatives. For more information, please visit www.nhcf.org or call 603-225-6641.