CONCORD, NH (PRESS RELEASE) – The Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation recently awarded six grants totaling $612,074 through its competitive application program.
Kids will learn how to save for college. Residents will have access to the news they need to stay informed and engaged in their communities and beyond. Students will learn about energy and climate science through hands-on STEM education. 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 Vermont and southern Quebec.
Grants recommended by the volunteer Tillotson Fund Advisory Committee included $50,000 to Affordable Housing, Education and Development in Littleton to support its “Centsible Families” program which provides financial literacy programming for all Coös County children enrolled in 3rd grade.
Students participating in the Centsible Families program will have the opportunity to open their own college savings account through Passumpsic Savings Bank. The bank has committed to providing initial deposits of $25 for each account opened.
“Studies show that when low- and moderate-income kids save as little as $500 for college, they are more likely to attend college and graduate from college,” said Kirsten Scobie, director of the Neil and Louise Tillotson Funds at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. “Children’s savings accounts are a promising way to invest in young people and the state’s future workforce to ensure a stronger New Hampshire tomorrow.”
Grant awards were made to the following organizations:
Affordable Housing, Education and Development, Littleton, NH received $50,000 to build and administer the Centsible Families program which provides financial lessons – including budgeting and saving – to 3rd graders throughout Coös County.
The Carsey School of Public Policy, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH received $222,074 to support the Tracking Changes in the North Country research project, a longitudinal study which examines the attitudes and experiences of Coös County residents to inform local, regional and statewide decision making and policy efforts.
The Family Resource Center, Gorham, NH received $90,000 (over two years) to support operations for after-school, home-visiting and parenting programs in the Berlin and Gorham school districts, focusing on staff development and compensation.
The New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism, Barrington, NH received $50,000 to increase in-depth independent news coverage in Coös County and surrounding communities.
Vermont Energy Education Program, Montpelier, VT received $90,000 (over two years) to support hands-on STEM education using themes of energy and climate science in schools throughout northern Essex County, Vermont.
Village of St-Venant-de-Paquette, Coaticook, Québec, NH received $110,000 (over three years) to establish a cross-border tourist trail that recognizes the Indian Stream Republic with historical structures and information to increase tourism to the area and bolster local economic development efforts.
The next deadline for the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund is Friday, July 14, 2017. Please visit our website for more information and updated grant program goals: www.nhcf.org/Tillotson.
About the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation was created in 1962 by and for the people of New Hampshire, and is dedicated to strengthening communities across the Granite State. The Foundation manages a growing collection of 1,800 philanthropic funds created by generous families, individuals and businesses, and awards more than $30 million in grants and scholarships every year. The Foundation invests charitable assets for today and tomorrow; works with generous and visionary citizens to maximize the power of their giving; supports critical work happening in New Hampshire communities and leads and collaborates on high-impact initiatives. For more information, please visit www.nhcf.org or call 603-225-6641.
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