Foundation for Seacoast Health
The Foundation for Seacoast Health is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1984 and based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Created from the proceeds of the sale of Portsmouth Hospital to Hospital Corporation America, the foundation has operated for over 40 years as a regional philanthropic organization committed to improving health and well-being in Seacoast communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$25.9M
+4.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$700K
+61.4% YoY
Grant Count
37
+19.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
+35.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Foundation for Seacoast Health reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation for Seacoast Health invests resources to improve the health and well-being of Seacoast residents. The organization prioritizes:
- Mental & Behavioral Health
- Healthy Aging
- Healthcare Education & Career Pathways
The foundation also supports health promotion, health protection, preventive health services, health training and education, and health and social services workforce development. Specific funding interests have included affordable mental health services, preventative and restorative dental services, affordable child care and after school care, and affordable primary medical care.
Grantmaking
The Foundation awards two types of grants, each with its own requirements and application deadlines. The foundation also maintains a scholarship program for local students pursuing degrees in health-related fields.
Review Cycle
. The foundation also maintains a scholarship program for local students pursuing degrees in health-related fields.
How to Apply
. Grant focus areas change with each grant cycle.
Ready to take the next step with Foundation for Seacoast Health?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation serves nine communities within its service area:
New Hampshire: Portsmouth, Newington, New Castle, Greenland, Rye, and North Hampton
Maine: Kittery, Eliot, and York
The foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations serving these designated communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $25,895,816
- Total giving: $699,698
- Annual income: $3.5M
Historical Context:
- Total assets have decreased from $43.4M in 2011 to $24.9M in 2023
- Total revenues (2023): $451,724
- Total expenses (2023): $994,541
Staffing:
- 2 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,895,816 | $24,860,519 | $22,646,639 |
| Revenue | $1,402,204 | $451,724 | $4,382,438 |
| Expenses | $1,348,551 | $994,541 | $11,199,847 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,241,950 | $1,024,641 | $10,936,827 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,350,171 | $522,171 | $3,936,531 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,155,832 | $1,153,076 | $11,318,004 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
151 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Foundation for Seacoast Health
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Arts in Reach ($50,000), Haven- Violence and Support Services ($50,000), Seacoast Youth Services ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Articine Inc Newfields, NH | Dottie - film on dementia | $10,000 |
| Arts in Reach Portsmouth, NH | Supporting the mental health of seacoast teens | $50,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of NH Stratham, NH | Trauma informed mentoring | $10,000 |
| Connor's Climb Foundation Exeter, NH | Provide suicide prevention education | $25,000 |
| Design Challenge Network Hopkinton, NH | Help students and teachers find joy, purpose, and deeper learning | $10,000 |
| Friends Forever Inc Durham, NH | Foster better relations among people | $25,000 |
| Gather Portsmouth, NH | Programs that build food security in welcoming and dignified ways | $15,000 |
| Goodwork Portsmouth, NH | Strengthen nonprofits by maximizing their capacity to deliver services through customized strategic support that includes coaching, mentoring, peer learning and professional development | $20,000 |
| Greater Seacoast Community Health Somersworth, NH | To deliver innovative, compassionate, integrated health services and support that are accessible to all in our community, regardless of ability to pay | $15,000 |
| Haven- Violence and Support Services Portsmouth, NH | Pathways to Hope- support for children who experience trauma | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Principal Officer: Noreen Hodgdon
- The foundation is governed by 14 officers and trustees
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debra S Grabowski | CEO | 40 | $176,019 |
| Stuart Levenson | Chair | 2.5 | — |
| Jenifer Cannon | Vice Chair | 2.5 | — |
| Peter George | Treasurer | 2.5 | — |
| Andrea Daly | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Jeff Croteau | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jennifer Cutts | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Robert Hickey | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jason Kroll | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Paul Leyden | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Doug Macdonald | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Kathleen MacLeod | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Tania Marino | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Elisabeth Robinson | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Thomas Blais | Past Trustee | 1 | — |
| Timothy Durkin | Past Trustee | 1 | — |
| Darci Knowles | Past Trustee | 1 | — |
| L Blair Demers | Interim CEO | 32 | $26,923 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has been active in supporting regional nonprofits addressing community health needs. Recent grantees and partners (2022-2025) include over 100 organizations such as HAVEN NH, Gather, Seacoast Mental Health Center, Seacoast Family Promise, Seacoast Outright, and numerous other health and social service organizations throughout the region.
Foundation for Seacoast Health announces grants and scholarships: SeacoastThe Foundation previously owned and operated a 92,000 square foot multi-tenant nonprofit center created in 1999 that provided below-market rents to unaffiliated nonprofit programs. This Community Campus was sold to the City of Portsmouth in March 2022, marking a significant transition in the Foundation's operations and allowing renewed focus on traditional grantmaking activities.
NH Nonprofits Brace for Tough Times - Business NH MagazineFrequently Asked Questions
What does Foundation for Seacoast Health fund?
The Foundation for Seacoast Health invests resources to improve the health and well-being of Seacoast residents. The organization prioritizes: • Mental & Behavioral Health • Healthy Aging • Healthcare Education & Career Pathways The foundation also supports health promotion, health protection, preventive health services, health training and education, and health and social services workforce development. Specific funding interests have included affordable mental health services, preventative an…
How do I apply for a grant from Foundation for Seacoast Health?
The Foundation awards two types of grants, each with its own requirements and application deadlines. The foundation also maintains a scholarship program for local students pursuing degrees in health-related fields. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving (2024): $699,698 • Total assets (2024): $25,895,816 • Typical award range: $250–$9,279,792 • Made 15 grants in recent year The foundation is described as transparent and accessible with a clearly defined application process. Grant focus areas change…
Where does Foundation for Seacoast Health make grants?
The Foundation serves nine communities within its service area: **New Hampshire:** Portsmouth, Newington, New Castle, Greenland, Rye, and North Hampton **Maine:** Kittery, Eliot, and York The foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations serving these designated communities.
What size grants does Foundation for Seacoast Health award?
In 2024, Foundation for Seacoast Health awarded 37 grants totaling $700K — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Foundation for Seacoast Health required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Foundation for Seacoast Health reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Foundation for Seacoast Health's EIN?
Foundation for Seacoast Health's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 02-0386319. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Foundation for Seacoast Health's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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