Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in New Hampshire

New Hampshire 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing health and human services, homeless shelters, food banks, dental care, or youth and family support can apply for Agnes M. Lindsay Trust grants of US $1,000 - US $7,500. Grants from Agnes M. Lindsay Trust help cover capital and operating needs, which may include eligible operating support for local programs.

Nonprofits, educational institutions, government programs, and volunteer fire companies in New Hampshire can seek funding for safety, education, and community development initiatives from State Farm Companies Foundation. Focus areas include auto and home safety, disaster preparedness and recovery, affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, food insecurity, financial literacy, job training, and K–12 and higher education, including STEM.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

New Hampshire nonprofits, government agencies, and fiscally sponsored grassroots groups seeking short-term project support for community and economic development in Coös County and nearby border communities can apply for $250 to $2,000 Dash Grants. These New Hampshire Charitable Foundation awards can fund one-time events, field trips, consultants, or equipment that benefit local residents and landscapes.

New Hampshire 501(c)(3) organizations serving low-income, immigrant, or refugee families with children ages 0–5 can seek one-time emergency funding for organizational or operational responses to emergent needs. Focused on children’s health and related social determinants, New Hampshire Children’s Health Foundation offers up to US $50,000 with relatively rapid decisions on requests.

Nonprofit organizations in New Hampshire offering education, job readiness, or community enrichment programs can apply for Nordson Corporation Foundation’s invitation-only grants. Funding supports quality educational experiences, workforce preparation, human and social services, arts and culture, and other efforts that help individuals become self-sufficient and strengthen local communities.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

Towns, cities, counties, solid waste districts, other government entities, and nonprofit organizations focused on waste management and recycling in New Hampshire can receive operating support to establish, improve, or run used oil collection centers. Focused on recycling and waste management, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services offers gift grants up to US $5,000 for centers serving do-it-yourself oil changers.

Educational 501(c)(3) organizations, municipalities, Tribal and religious organizations in New Hampshire can apply for Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation support to run programs that improve college readiness, access, and completion for underserved students. Eligible nonprofits may request general operating or program support, including small capital costs, for higher-education-focused work serving New England residents.

New Hampshire 501(c)(3) organizations and public or municipal agencies seeking project or capital support can access funding through the Norwin S. & Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation. Grants cover arts, education, environment, health, human services, and public benefit, with priority for Manchester and Amherst and projects that expand sustainable services or strengthen organizational capacity.

The Kroger Foundation is dedicated to uplifting communities through significant charitable contributions, having donated over $1.9 billion in the past six years. Their focus on combating hunger through the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative exemplifies their commitment to social impact. Annually, they provide over $300 million to nonprofit organizations aligned with their mission, promoting health, education, and disaster relief while fostering diversity and inclusion. This initiative reflects Kroger's belief that strong communities are a shared responsibility.

Animal welfare 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing shelter, adoption, education, or medical care in Southern New Hampshire can receive operating support through the Felicia Rose Grant Program, with awards up to US $20,000. Grants from Cummings Foundation prioritize organizations strengthening the human-animal bond and promoting kindness toward animals within 90 minutes of Framingham, MA.

The Nordstrom Community Grant focuses on supporting youth and families by providing over $1 million in grants annually. It aims to assist grassroots organizations that address essential community needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, as well as creating opportunities for economic mobility through mentorship and workforce development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in areas where Nordstrom operates. Applications are encouraged for those meeting these criteria.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and agencies in New Hampshire can apply for The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program; awards up to US $100,000 for fee and easement land acquisition projects. Funding can cover project capital, development, stewardship, legal defense, and community engagement costs.

Nonprofit organizations in New Hampshire working on aging and equity can receive multi-year general operating support that also covers staff wellness, leadership coaching, and capacity building. With a mission to advance equity in aging, Point32Health Foundation prioritizes communities facing disinvestment and systemic barriers, especially through social and racial justice, organizing, policy, advocacy, and systems improvement efforts.

New Hampshire and Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits or fiscally sponsored groups supporting children and families can seek general operating, project, capital, or event sponsorship funding to enhance early childhood, family well-being, and community vibrancy. Couch Family Foundation prioritizes organizations in the Upper Valley and Martha’s Vineyard with strong leadership, collaboration, and a clear focus on equity and inclusion.

New Hampshire 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking funding for well-conceived capital projects can apply for the Madelaine G. von Weber Trust Grant to support impactful work in the state. Grants from Ud Madelaine G Vonweber help organizations undertake environmental and conservation initiatives, music and arts projects, and social services efforts that create lasting benefits for New Hampshire communities.

New Hampshire 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing adverse childhood experiences and promoting children’s health can access funding through Amerihealth Caritas Foundation for one-year, project-specific programs. Grants of US $100,000 - US $150,000 support community-led efforts focused on healing behaviors, health care access, and empowering families in communities with many Medicaid enrollees.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

Focused on community services and nonprofit development, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation invites New Hampshire nonprofits to request up to US $10,000 for operating support or specific projects addressing clear organizational or community needs. Eligible 501(c)(3) charities and fiscally sponsored groups in New Hampshire and select bordering Maine and Vermont communities receive rolling decisions within 15–20 business days.

New Hampshire 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking operating support for early childhood education, youth development, or human services can apply for the Richard E. and Nancy P. Marriott Foundation’s grants, typically awarding US $5,000 - US $10,000. Funding generally supports core operations for organizations serving vulnerable children, families, and job seekers in the Washington, D.C. metro region and select areas including New Hampshire.

New Hampshire 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking operating, program, project, or capital support can apply for the Lane & Elizabeth C Dwinnell Foundation’s Lane and Elizabeth C. Dwinell Charitable Trust Grant. Organizations serving Lebanon and the Upper Valley region, or working on community development, arts and culture, health, or social sciences, may be especially competitive.

New Hampshire nonprofits providing access-to-care services for Strafford County residents can receive up to US $10,000 in one-year general operating support. The Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation, a supporting organization of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, prioritizes collaborative projects and those addressing maternal health within areas like housing, food security, transportation, senior services, and substance use disorder.

Rural public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes in New Hampshire can apply for USDA Rural Development’s Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants, with awards up to US $1,000,000 for drinking water emergencies. Funding covers waterline extensions, repairs, and new water sources or treatment facilities in eligible low-income rural areas.

State and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in New Hampshire rural areas can obtain funding to develop or improve water, sewer, solid waste, and stormwater systems, including some start-up operations costs. USDA Rural Development supports sanitation and clean drinking water projects that may help strengthen nonprofit operating capacity in eligible communities.

New Hampshire state and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes serving rural communities can access funding for water and waste infrastructure through USDA Rural Development. These grants and loans support clean drinking water, sanitary sewage and solid waste systems, and stormwater drainage in eligible rural areas that serve a public purpose and are financially sustainable.

New Hampshire 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored programs seeking operating or stabilization support can access funding through Granite United Way; awards range from US $1,000 - US $10,000. Grants back general operations, organizational stabilization, service continuity, and rapid responses to emerging community needs, including work in Windsor County, Vermont.