More than $295,000 in grants awarded from Tillotson Fund

CONCORD, NH (PRESS RELEASE) – The Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation recently awarded 18 grants totaling $295,530. The Tillotson Fund is one of the largest permanent rural philanthropies in the country, distributing nearly $3 million in grants annually to municipal, educational and nonprofit organizations throughout northern New Hampshire and bordering communities in Vermont and southern Quebec.

“The Tillotsons’ generosity was truly amazing, and is felt by so many people,” said Kirsten Scobie, director of Tillotson Funds at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. “These recent grants mean that kids in need will get healthy meals on weekends, when they are not getting meals at school. Access to family health services will be improved. Aspiring teachers will get support paying for school – and so much more. All of these grants really reflect the Tillotsons’ love and hope for the whole region.”

The Tillotson Fund was established at the Charitable Foundation in 2006 with a bold vision: to serve as a catalyst for the region to move toward sustainable community and economic development in Coos County and surrounding communities. In pursuit of that vision, the Tillotson Fund has identified three priority areas for grantmaking: education, economic development and basic needs.

The Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund accepts proposals from eligible organizations providing services in Colebrook, Pittsburg, Clarksville, Stewartstown, Dixville Notch and other towns in Coos County, as well as bordering communities in Quebec and Vermont. The fund is also interested in applicants that serve these communities as part of a larger regional effort. The next application deadline is Friday, January 15, 2016. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit www.nhcf.org/tillotson to learn more.

Grant awards were made to the following organizations from the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation:

• Androscoggin River Watershed Council in Bethel, Maine received $17,655 to improve river access and user parking below the Errol and Seven Islands bridges on the Androscoggin River.
• Association des personnes handicapees de la MRC de Coaticook in Coaticook, Quebec received $20,000 to support general operations.
• Association sportive des jeunes handicaps de l’Estrie in Coaticook, Quebec received $2,000 to expand services and offer weekend programming for youth with disabilities.
• Canaan Historical Society in Canaan, VT received $5,000 to create a documentary video highlighting the history of the town.
• Child Advocacy Center of Coos County in Groveton, NH received $30,000 to support general operations over three years.
• Child and Family Services of New Hampshire in Concord, NH received $20,000 to improve access to family health services in Coos County.
• Circuits Frontieres in East Hereford, Quebec received $4,000 to improve safety by building a new one kilometer single-track cycling trail.
• Corporation de developpement communautaire de la MRC de Coaticook in Coaticook, Quebec received $20,000 to improve communication and collaboration between the CDC and other organizations in Coaticook.
• Ecole Gendreau in Coaticook, Quebec received $6,000 to purchase and install a climbing wall in the school gymnasium.
• Essex County Natural Resources Conservation District in St. Johnsbury, VT. received $10,000 to support a native tree and shrub nursery serving the communities along the Upper Connecticut River Watershed.
• L’Eveil, resource communautaire en sante mentale in Coaticook, Quebec received $20,000 to provide mental health services in Coaticook.
• Littleton Regional Healthcare Charitable Foundation in Littleton, NH received $15,000 to expand and renovate the birthing center at Littleton Regional Healthcare.
• New Hampshire Children’s Trust in Concord, NH received $20,000 to support, My Voice Matters, an abuse prevention education and public awareness campaign focused on families and service providers in Coos County.
• Plymouth State University’s North Country Teacher Education Certification Program in Plymouth, NH received $49,713 to provide teaching stipends for students in the 2015-2016 North Country Teacher Education Certification Program.
• Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lancaster, NH received $21,600 to provide weekend meals to 100 elementary school children during the 2015-2016 school year.
• Service d’aide domestique de la region de Coaticook in Coaticook, Quebec received $22,062 to pilot a new respite program for caregivers.
• Whitefield NH Lions Club in Whitefield, NH received $2,500 to purchase gas grills and upgrade signage used for its pancake breakfasts on Whitefield Common.
• WinterKids Education Foundation in Portland, Maine received $10,000 to train early education teachers in Berlin, Colebrook, Lancaster and Whitefield to deliver outdoor, active education programs.

About the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation was created in 1962 by and for the people of New Hampshire, and is dedicated to strengthening communities across the Granite State. The Foundation manages a growing collection of 1,700 philanthropic funds created by generous families, individuals and businesses, and awards more than $30 million in grants and scholarships every year. The Foundation invests charitable assets for today and tomorrow; works with generous and visionary citizens to maximize the power of their giving; supports critical work happening in New Hampshire communities and leads and collaborates on high-impact initiatives. For more information, please visit www.nhcf.org or call 603-225-6641.