Cogswell Benevolent Trust Grant

The Cogswell Benevolent Trust Grant supports various charitable organizations, including 501(c)(3) entities and educational institutions. Established by Leander A. Cogswell in 1929, it aims to enhance public resources in New Hampshire, although limited funding may reach out-of-state projects. The Trust prioritizes initiatives that improve community welfare but typically does not fund general operational costs or projects in consecutive years. Proposals can be submitted year-round, as there are no strict deadlines.

Note: The Trustees of the Cogswell Benevolent Trust meet monthly. Proposals may be submitted at any time; there are no deadlines or funding dates.
A Brief History
Leander A. Cogswell was born in Henniker, NH on March 4, 1864 as the middle son of three to David Warren and Eliza (Sawyer) Cogswell. After attending local schools, he spent most of his life, starting at an early age, in the shoe business in Manchester.
During these years Leander lived in Manchester but spent every weekend at his Main Street home in Henniker. Careful of his ease, he donated a generous sum for improving the road from Weare. This was one of the first of his benefactions.
Among his business associates was his engineering foreman, Elmer Nichols, who - keenly alert to the needs of shoe manufacturing - invented a skiving tool satisfactorily used for trimming leather to a uniform thickness. The two men combined to promote the productive use of the tool leasing it to other shoe factories. Hence the evolution of the acronym LACENE from L.A. Cogswell and Elmer Nichols, engineers. When Nichols died around 1900, Leander purchased the patent from Elmer's widow to control the lucrative business. Thus, Leander became one of the wealthiest of Henniker citizens and a great benefactor interested in improvement of the town.
He was a lifelong resident of Henniker where he died on September 9, 1928. From that date onward, the Trust has operated and continues to operate under Leander's original wishes as expressed in his will to the present day.

Eligibility

Grants supporting:501(c)(3) organizationsValid, tax-exempt organizations regardless of purposeNon-profitsNon-profit or not-for-profit entities that have a charitable or educational purposePublic AgenciesEducational, religious, fraternal organizations that serve the public without restrictionsOther Charitable InstitutionsAny organization that has as its primary objective to offer aid, assistance, education, or the betterment of public resourcesUsually, the established program must be located within the State of New Hampshire. However, limited funds may be available for out of state projects. Unless it is an emergency, it is the Trust’s policy not to make grants to the same organization in succeeding years.

Ineligibility

Requests to fund general operating or start-up expenses, feasibility studies, endowments, conferences, produce films or videos, or to eliminate deficits are rarely considered.Nor is it our goal to become a permanent source of support for programs.Unless it is an emergency, it is the Trust’s policy not to make grants to the same organization in succeeding years.