New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Responsive Grants

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation offers Responsive Grants to nonprofits in New Hampshire and select areas in Maine and Vermont. Grants of up to $10,000 can support operating expenses or specific initiatives addressing community needs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with decisions communicated within 15–20 business days. This program encourages timely support for organizations aiming to improve community welfare and is designed for streamlined access to funding as needs arise.

Note: Requests are accepted on a rolling basis beginning March 9, 2026 until funds are fully allocated. Because requests are reviewed as they are received, organizations may wish to submit early in the program year. An update on a program closing date will be shared later this summer.
Responsive Grants Program
Responsive Grants provide a rolling opportunity for nonprofits to seek timely support for organizational or community needs.
We invite nonprofits serving New Hampshire — and select bordering communities in Maine and Vermont — to submit a brief application describing an identified organization or community need.
Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis. We will work to align requests with available philanthropic funds at the Foundation whose purpose language — including issue area, geographic focus and populations served — match the work described.
Funding decisions will be shared within 15–20 business days of submission.
Grants of up to $10,000 are available for one year of support. Funding may be used for operating expenses or specific projects or initiatives tied to addressing a clearly defined organization or community need.
While this grant program represents one part of the Foundation’s broader grantmaking portfolio, it is designed to provide a streamlined, timely pathway for support as needs arise.
Responsive Grant applications also provide important information that may be shared with Foundation donor-advised fundholders about the work of nonprofits and community needs.

Eligibility

Eligible to apply:Organizations that are 501(c)(3) public charities operating in New Hampshire and select bordering areas of Maine and VermontNon 501(c)(3) organizations implementing charitable activities with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorReligious-based nonprofits for the support of charitable activities that are open to all community membersGeographic FocusOrganizations serving New Hampshire and select bordering communities in Maine and Vermont (see list below) may apply.Organizations that are headquartered outside of the Charitable Foundation’s service area and are currently implementing programs in New Hampshire (and/or the towns listed below) are eligible and must be clear in sharing the communities they will serve with their request.MaineBerwickNorth BerwickSouth BerwickEliotKitteryYorkVermontBaltimoreBarnardBethelBradfordBridgewaterCavendishChelseaChesterCorinthFairleeGrotonHartfordHartlandNewburyNorwichPomfretRandolphReadingRoyaltonRyegateSharonSpringfieldStraffordThetfordTopshamTunbridgeVershireWashingtonWeathersfieldWest FairleeWest WindsorWindsorWoodstockGrant AmountRequests may be submitted for up to $10,000 for a one-year grant period.Organizations may only submit one request per year.Because funding is limited, please carefully consider the right amount to request for your organization.Organizations requesting a grant amount that would be a substantial percentage of their overall annual budget should explain (in the application narrative) why such an amount is needed and how the organization plans to increase funding from other sources.If I have a current Community Grant from the Foundation, am I eligible to apply?It depends on what year your current grant was awarded, and for how long.If you received a one-year Community Grant awarded in December 2024 or earlier, you are eligible to apply.If my organization serves as a fiscal sponsor for an applicant, are we eligible to submit a separate application for our own efforts?Yes.Religious organizations are, however, eligible for project funding through this program to provide services that are non-discriminatory, non-sectarian and that benefit the larger community. Organizations that are headquartered outside of the Charitable Foundation’s service area and are currently implementing programs in New Hampshire (and/or select communities in Maine and Vermont, as listed in the geographic focus section of the Responsive Grants program webpage) are eligible and must be clear in sharing the communities they will serve with their request. If funded, the grant will be restricted to work in this service area.My organization is focused on substance use disorders, prevention, harm reduction, treatment and/or recovery services. Are we eligible to apply?Only those organizations that have NOT received a grant by invitation for work in this area are eligible to apply for a Responsive Grants program grant. Eligible applicants whose proposals are declined are welcome to submit another proposal in 2027.Does the Foundation fund advocacy? What about lobbying?Yes.

Ineligibility

Not eligible to apply:Private, non-operating foundationsPrivate, operating foundationsPublic, charter, and private schoolsHospitalsColleges/universitiesMunicipalitiesState government agenciesNon-501(c)(3) organizations (without a fiscal sponsor)Organizations that received a multiyear Community Grant awarded in December 2024 and December 2025Nonprofit partners receiving a New Hampshire Charitable Foundation initiative-based grant, invited grantees or grantees of the Tillotson Local or Large grant program are not eligible to apply. Please reach out to grantapp@nhcf.org if you are unsure whether this includes your organization.If you received a two-year Community Grant awarded in December 2024 (with a second payment issued in December 2025), you are not eligible to apply.If you received a Community Grant in 2025 (with a payment issued in December 2025), you are not eligible to apply.We do not fund religious activities of any kind through the Responsive Grants program.