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Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund – Local Grants Program

  • Geographic focus

    The Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund focuses its grantmaking and work in Coös County, NH and communities in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont and the MRC De Coaticook in Québec, Canada that share a border with Coös County. Programs, projects or agencies that operate beyond these borders, provided they offer clear benefit to the people and landscapes of Coös County, may also be eligible for funding.

    Please contact us if you are unsure about geographical fit.

  • Eligibility

    Organizations recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS or CRA are eligible, including US nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, Canadian organizations with qualified donee status, tax-exempt public agencies, schools and municipalities. Other community groups and organizations that do not have U.S. or Canadian tax-exempt status may apply for funding if a 501(c)(3) organization, municipality or public agency acts as their fiscal sponsor.

    The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals, and will not knowingly make grants (including those recommended by donor-advised-fund holders), to organizations whose mission or programs promote hate, or run counter to principles of basic respect, justice and equity.

  • Grant amount

    Local Grants Program applications may request between $2000 and $20,000 for one, two or three years.

    Large Grants Program applications may request between $20,000 and $300,000 (multiyear grants may request up to $100,000 for three years) and require a pre-application consultation with Christa Hollingsworth, Tillotson Fund Community Partner at 603-225-6641 ext.265 or Puevfgn.Ubyyvatfjbegu@aups.bet.

  • Recent grants

    2023 Local Grants 

    Appalachian Mountain Club, $15,000, to support technology upgrades at AMC’s Highland Center in Crawford Notch.

    Brighton Community Forum, Inc., $20,000, to provide operating support to continue community revitalization efforts.

    Centre d’initiatives en agriculture de la region Coaticook, $20,000, to build a collective greenhouse.

    Colonel Town Players of Lancaster, Inc., $20,000, to purchase and install rigging at the Town Hall Auditorium in Lancaster, NH.

    Errol Public Library, $10,150, to replace the roof of the library building.

    Granite Outdoor Alliance, $20,000, to support a young professionals network and an outdoor industry workforce-oriented event in 2023.

    Harry Alan Gregg Foundation, $20,000 (over two years), to provide grants to low-income residents with disabilities and chronic health conditions.

    Lancaster Historical Society, $20,000, to insulate the Wilder-Holton House Museum.

    Lancaster Rotary Club Charities, Inc., $20,000, to establish the Greg Cloutier Park in downtown Lancaster.

    Lyndon Institute, $20,000, to support a capital campaign to improve campus security for high school students.

    Milan Trail Huggers (City of Berlin, NH), $3,480, to provide signage for outdoor multi-use trail systems.

    Municipalite de Saint-Malo, $20,000, to purchase and install safety nets for the town’s ballfield.

    National Forest Foundation, $18,000, to provide operating support for recreational trails, forest health and community engagement projects.

    NH Civics, $15,000, to expand the Mikva Challenge program to build civic engagement for Coös County students.

    NH Hunger Solutions, $20,000, to hire a community engagement coordinator to support the North Country Food Council.

    New Hampshire Public Radio, $20,000, to provide operating support.

    North Country Chamber Players, $20,000 (over two years), to support education and outreach programs for Coös and Grafton County residents.

    Northern Forest Canoe Trail, $10,000, to increase access to the Androscoggin River for outdoor recreation.

    Operation Warm, Inc., $10,000, to purchase winter coats and shoes for children in Coös County.

    Reach Out and Read, Inc., $15,000 (over three years), to support early literacy for children and families in Coös County.

    Rues Principales, $20,000, to support the Magie-Ville walking theater project in downtown Coaticook.

    Salvation Farms, $7,500, to continue to expand gleaning services to the Northeast Kingdom.

    Southern NH Area Health Education Center, $12,100, to support a storytelling project for North Country residents.

    Step Up Parents, $15,000, to provide operating support.

    Tin Mountain Conservation Center, Inc., $20,000, to enhance environmental education opportunities for children and their families.

    Tri-Town Bicycle, Inc., $17,045, to purchase and distribute cycling maps, extend the safety posters campaign, and enable safety patrols.

    Vermont Rural Education Collaborative, $20,000, to provide programming and operating support for youth leadership activities.

    Victory Hill Sector, $20,000, to continue to support a summer youth trail crew.

    Waypoint, $10,000, to provide operating support.

    Whitefield School, $20,000, to support purchase and construction of a community playground.

     

  • Application deadline

    Thursday, January 23, 2025, and Thursday, July 17, 2025, 5:00 pm Eastern time

Application and grant process

Step 1

Determine eligibility and learn more about the program.

Please review the PowerPoint (view French translation); the video/audio recording from the 2024 Grantseeker Information Session; and the Grantseeker Guide (English and French). If you have any questions, please contact Christa Hollingsworth at Puevfgn.Ubyyvatfjbegu@aups.bet.

Step 2

Create an organization profile in GrantSource.

Visit GrantSource and create your organization profile by clicking on “Register here” located under “New to the system.”

All applications must be submitted via our online portal, GrantSource. We are no longer accepting paper or emailed applications.

Step 3

Complete the online application.

Answer the questions in GrantSource. Submit the application by 5:00 pm Eastern time on Thursday, January 23, 2025 or Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Step 4

Receive funding.

Requests up to $20,000 will be notified of funding within three months after submission.

Step 5

Share the good news.

If you are awarded funding and you’d like to share the good news, please refer to our grantee press kit.

Step 6

Report.

At the end of your grant period (usually 12 months), you will be required to submit a final report. Log into GrantSource to submit your final report via the online portal. You are welcome to contact Tillotson Fund staff at any time to discuss interim progress throughout a multiyear grant.

We're here to help

  • Christa Hollingsworth
  • Tillotson Fund Community Partner
Sonya Salanti
  • Sonya Salanti
  • Director of Tillotson Funds