NH Volunteer Engagement Program Grants: Project Grants

The NH Volunteer Engagement Program Grants provide essential funding to organizations in New Hampshire that seek to enhance their volunteer capacity. With grants ranging from $15,000 to $25,000, these funds support projects aimed at recruiting, managing, and retaining volunteers effectively. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, local governments, and educational institutions. Projects must demonstrate sustainability beyond the funding period and align with priority areas like affordable housing and mental health, fostering community engagement through volunteerism.

NOTE: All applicants MUST register with the System for Award Management (SAM) at and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete. SAM registration must be renewed annually.
Volunteer NH, thought the assistance of American Rescue Plan funds provided through the State of New Hampshire, are able to offer grants to eligible organizations looking to increase their capacity to recruit, utilize, manage, and retain volunteers.
Purpose: Volunteer NH invites eligible organizations to apply for a NH Volunteer Engagement Mini-Grant for a specific, one-time need. These subgrants are meant to increase the capacity of organizations serving NH to recruit, utilize, manage, train, and retain volunteers.
VNH seeks to fund effective projects that:
Strengthen the capacity of volunteer programs to recruit and retain volunteers.Develop strategies to use volunteers effectively to solve problems.Expand volunteering.Can be developed, executed, and demonstrate progress towards identified goals within two years.
These grants are intended to fund a project that will develop, improve, or expand the organization's capacity to utilize volunteers. They cannot solely supplement current staffing. The application narrative must demonstrate how the proposed project will increase capacity and be sustainable beyond the funding period.
Examples of Eligible Projects and Activities
Some examples could include, but aren’t limited to:
Developing and implementing a pilot volunteer program.Developing and implementing a series of online volunteer trainings.Conducting a detailed program evaluation and then implementing changes based on the results.Creating and implementing a comprehensive recruitment and onboarding plan, including outreach materials, orientation, and training plans.Developing and/or delivering a volunteer training curriculum. Developing or redesigning websites and social media strategies focused on volunteer recruitment.Performing a needs assessment and/or piloting new strategies for utilizing volunteerism to address community needs.Creating and implementing a statewide or community-based disaster volunteer plan (including outreach, trainings, etc.) such as a volunteer preparedness initiative, disaster volunteer training, preparations to serve as a disaster volunteer reception center, etc. Developing and executing projects on National Days of Service such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and/or September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Criteria
Funding decisions are made at the discretion of Volunteer NH and are based on the following criteria:
Availability of fundsEligibility of applicant organizationAlignment to outlined Volunteer NH priority areas.Completeness of applicationAllowability of costs requested (based on guidance in this Notice and applicable regulations)Quality of the proposed project and its alignment to purpose of the NH Volunteer Engagement Project grants.The organization’s program and financial capacity to steward a federal grant.
Funding
The typical grant will run from October – September.

Eligibility

The following non-federal entities serving New Hampshire communities are eligible to apply:Institutions of higher education (2 C. F.R. §200.54)Nonprofit organizations (2 C.F.R. §200.70)Local governments (2 C.F.R. §200.64)States (2 C.F.R. §200.90)Only projects serving New Hampshire communities are eligible for funding. Organizations may be physically located outside of NH.

Ineligibility

Though grants are non-AmeriCorps funded, as New Hampshire’s State Service Commission, Volunteer NH will not fund any projects that involve, or give the appearance of involvement in, Prohibited Activities, as outlined in the 45 CFR § 2520.65.This grant cannot be used to augment AmeriCorps funds or program.