CONCORD, N.H. (PRESS RELEASE) – The Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation recently awarded 13 grants totaling $698,903 through its competitive application program.
Students across the North Country will get classes, tools and experience to help them stay engaged in math and science. An historic theatre will expand to serve more customers and boost the local economy. Adults with disabilities will get new ADA-compliant cooktops and stoves so they can cook their own meals. A town will get a new soccer field for its kids. And more.
Established in 2006, the Tillotson Fund is one of the largest permanent rural philanthropies in the country, distributing nearly $3 million in grants annually to support projects that focus on community revitalization. Grants are awarded to municipal, educational and nonprofit organizations throughout northern New Hampshire and bordering communities in Vermont and southern Québec.
Grants recommended by the Tillotson Fund Advisory Committee included $197,093 combined to Northern Community Investment Corporation, White Mountain Science and White Mountains Regional School District to provide STEM programming to North Country students.
“Jobs in science, technology, engineering and math present some of the greatest opportunities for our kids. And, demand for STEM workers in New Hampshire is high and is expected to remain so,” said Kirsten Scobie, director of the Neil and Louise Tillotson Funds at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. “We’re excited to support projects that expose our students to the subjects that could afford them the greatest opportunity and give them the skills that employers need.”
Grant awards were made to the following organizations:
Accès Québec, Coaticook, Québec received $64,000 (over two years) to support general operations and collective distribution efforts to advance agri-foods businesses throughout the Eastern Townships of Québec.
Friends of the Colonial Theatre (Bethlehem Redevelopment Association), Bethlehem, NH received $50,000 to support capital renovations and expansion of the Colonial Theatre.
Habitations Hestia, Coaticook, Québec received $46,000 to purchase ADA compliant wall ovens and cooktops for 20 apartmentsin a new residential development for mentally and physically challenged residents in the M.R.C. of Coaticook.
North Country Council, Littleton, NH received $20,000 to develop a scope of work for a comprehensive trails plan for Coös County and complete an ATV study.
North Country Health Consortium Littleton, NH received $85,000 to continue supporting Youth Leadership Through Adventure and other strategies of the substance prevention network throughout North Country high schools and middle schools.
Northern Community Investment Corporation, Lancaster, NH received $25,000 to further research and design a sustainable STEAM AHEAD program at White Mountains Regional High School.
Northern Forest Center, Concord, NH received $100,000 (over two years) to design and implement an innovative community revitalization pilot program in a Coös County community.
The Dartmouth Trauma Interventions Research Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH received $68,310 to build a model of coordinated, patient-centered psychiatric care for Coös County children.
Town of Canaan, Canaan, VT received 26,000 to complete Phase Two of the Orton Foundation’s Community Heart & Soul planning process.
Town of Canaan Community Recreation Park, Canaan, VT received $20,000 to resurface the soccer field to address drainage and safety issues.
White Mountain Science, Bethlehem, NH received $61,163 to build a mobile STEM lab and provide place-based, after-school science programming throughout Coös County.
White Mountains Regional School District, Whitefield, NH received $110,930 to build a bioshelter greenhouse and train teachers in place-based permaculture and STEM education principles at Lancaster Elementary School.
Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire, Concord, NH received $22,500 to fund capital improvements at New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Barry Conservation Camp in Berlin, NH.
Grants from our July 2016 application deadline will be awarded later this fall and in December. The 2017 deadlines for the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund are Friday, January 13 and Friday, July 14, 2017. Please visit our website for more information and updated grant program goals: www.nhcf.org/tillotson.
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.
Related Stories
Nurturing the next generation of leaders
Gregory Williams of ADAPT, on how that organization is helping young people to develop confidence and resilience.
Creating a new center of community
Jason Tors of The Loading Dock in Littleton, which has created space for the community to connect around a shared appreciation of the arts.
Working together on child care solutions
The situation was dire. One town came together to fix it.
