New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc
The New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Inc., also known as the Grassroots Fund, is a public charity based in Newmarket, New Hampshire. Founded in 1996 as a funder’s collaborative, it supports community-led initiatives addressing environmental and social justice issues and building healthy, just, safe, and environmentally sustainable communities.
Key facts about New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc
In short: New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc gave $761K across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $30K), top state Massachusetts. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 03-0364677
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $760,621
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- Average grant
- $30,425
- Median grant
- $31,250
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (9 of 25, 2024)
- Total assets
- $8,159,641
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (28% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Deadline
- Seed applications are accepted year-round, except there is no grant review in January or July.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$8.2M
+20.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$761K
+34.4% YoY
Grant Count
25
+4.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
+29.1% YoY
Is New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 25 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $41K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $38K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to energize and nurture long-term civic engagement in local initiatives that create and maintain healthy, just, safe, and environmentally sustainable communities. It identifies five program issue areas: Local Energy, Local Food, Local Health, Local Land & Water, and Local Living Economies. It says it interprets “environment” broadly and supports a wide range of activities.
The fund supports both informal, unincorporated groups and formally incorporated or 501(c)(3) groups. For Seed grants, it focuses on community-based local initiatives in the six New England states, with at least two organizers involved in project decisions. The fund says groups do not need formal tax-exempt status; they need a checking account in the group’s name or a fiscal agent, though they may apply before arranging either.
Examples of grantees’ own stated missions illustrate the range of funded work. WhyHunger says it supports grassroots movements and community solutions rooted in social, environmental, racial, and economic justice, while working to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food. Asian American Resource Workshop describes its work as community organizing, leadership development, and community building for pan-Asian communities in Greater Boston. Vital Communities says it engages Upper Valley people, organizations, and communities to create equitable solutions, focusing on those disproportionately affected by regional challenges.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the fund reported 25 grants totaling $760,621. Grants ranged from $6,800 to $98,000, with a median of $31,250. The largest listed awards included $98,000 to WhyHunger Inc. in New York; $64,500 to Asian American Resource Workshop in Dorchester, Massachusetts; $56,000 to Sankofa Cooperatives in Hartford, Connecticut; and $55,000 each to CLICK Inc. in Windham, Connecticut, and Pocasset Pokanocket Land Trust in Cranston, Rhode Island. Other listed grants included $44,475 to Vital Communities Inc. in White River Junction, Vermont, and $35,700 to Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust in Brunswick, Maine. The listed 2024 grants were designated for environmental purposes.
Review Cycle
Seed applications are accepted year-round, except there is no grant review in January or July. No deadline is specified for Grow grants or the Young Leaders Program.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc
Grow Grants
New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
New England Grassroots Environment Fund: Grow Grant
New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc
Amount
US $1,000 - US $4,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
New England Grassroots Fund: SEED Grant
New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc
Amount
US $500 - US $1,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The fund’s Seed eligibility guidelines identify local grassroots work in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Its Young Leaders Program has a New England regional scope. In 2024, the largest reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Massachusetts (28%), Connecticut (15%), New York (13%), Vermont (12%), and Maine (11%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $454K (2020) to $978K (2022). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $761K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Whyhunger Inc ($98K). Together the top 10 received $535K.
Grant Size Distribution
168 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 151 grants of 168 (90%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Whyhunger Inc New York, NY | Environmental | $98,000 |
| Asian American Resource Workshop Dorchester, MA | Environmental | $64,500 |
| Sankofa Cooperatives Hartford, CT | Environmental | $56,000 |
| Click Inc Windham, CT | Environmental | $55,000 |
| Pocasset Pokanocket Land Trust Cranston, RI | Environmental | $55,000 |
| Vital Communities Inc White River Junction, VT | Environmental | $44,475 |
| Third Sector New England Boston, MA | Environmental | $43,900 |
| Four Corners Main Street Inc Dorchester, MA | Environmental | $40,800 |
| Tides Advocacy San Francisco, CA | Environmental | $40,755 |
| Ayni Institute Inc East Boston, MA | Environmental | $36,166 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8,159,641 | $3,382,348 | $2,123,727 | $760,621 |
| 2023 | $6,789,972 | $3,243,341 | $1,947,776 | $565,732 |
| 2022 | $5,475,209 | $2,074,950 | $2,222,289 | $978,469 |
The grant counts were 25 in 2024, 24 in 2023, and 61 in 2022.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,159,641 | $6,789,972 | $5,475,209 |
| Revenue | $3,382,348 | $3,243,341 | $2,074,950 |
| Expenses | $2,123,727 | $1,947,776 | $2,222,289 |
| Net Investment Income | $47,146 | $36,696 | $22,086 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bilal Tajildeen as president; Leah Bamberger as VP/secretary; Kimberly Blakemore as treasurer; Lindsey Dupont, Sally Manikian, Vanessa Liles, Kalila Booker-Cassano, and Pierre Joseph as directors; and Bart Westdijk and Faye Christoforo as co-executive directors.
New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc is led by Bilal Tajildeen, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bilal Tajildeen
President
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bart Westdijk
Co-Exec. Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$95K (2022) → $108K (2024)
Faye Christoforo
Co-Exec. Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$84K (2024)
Lindsey Dupont JD
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sally Manikian
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa Liles
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kalila Booker-Cassano
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pierre Joseph
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leah Bamberger
Vice President & Secretary
Director → Vice President & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Blakemore
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Christine James (2021–2023) — Interim Co-Exec. Director
- Former: Sarah Huang (2022–2023) — Co-Exec. Director
- Former: Marian Evans (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Megan Shore (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Reverand Mariama White-Hammond (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Julia Dundorf (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Sarah Kelley (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Shane Lloyd (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jonathan Scott (2020) — Director
- Former: Susan Schroeter (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $108K, to Bart Westdijk (Co-Exec. Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 611, Newmarket, NH 03857
Phone: (603) 905-9915
Website: https://grassrootsfund.org
Frequently asked questions about New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc
How much does New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc give each year?
New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc gave $761K across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $566K across 24 grants.
What is New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc's typical grant size?
New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc's median grant in 2024 was $31,250, and its average grant was $30,425, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc that year got $12K on average.
Where does New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc give grants?
New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc's top state is Massachusetts, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Connecticut (15%) and New York (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Dorchester, MA (2 grants) and Lewiston, ME (2 grants).
Does New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Environmental" (25 grants).
Who are New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc's largest grantees?
New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Whyhunger Inc ($98,000), Asian American Resource Workshop ($64,500) and Sankofa Cooperatives ($56,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc?
New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc reported $8.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.4M.
What does New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to energize and nurture long-term civic engagement in local initiatives that create and maintain healthy, just, safe, and environmentally sustainable communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc?
New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check grassrootsfund.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc's EIN?
New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 03-0364677. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching New England Grassroots Environment Fund Inc by hand.
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