Best New Hampshire Grants for Nonprofits

A diverse array of funding is available to nonprofit organizations located in New Hampshire. Currently, there are over 200+ unique grants available, offering a combined total of $7,826,875 in funding. The median grant award stands at $11,250. Those seeking larger funding amounts can explore 44 grants exceeding $25,000. Additionally, 25 grants are specifically designed to assist with general operating expenses. Meanwhile, over 100+ grants focus on funding programs and projects. With so much funding, New Hampshire nonprofits have numerous opportunities to secure grants and expand their initiatives.

Nonprofits in New Hampshire can apply for grants from different types of funders, including government agencies, private foundations, associations, and more. Here’s a breakdown of the main sources of grant funding in New Hampshire:

• Private funders: The majority of funds in New Hampshire come from private foundations. There are over 98 opportunities focusing on supporting environmental conservation, sustainability, agriculture, and more.
• State and Local Governments: New Hampshire state grants primarily support historic preservation, environmental conservation, and recreation programs.
• Corporate Funders: Corporate foundations in New Hampshire fund initiatives in education, youth development, and community services.

Whether you go after government grants or foundation grants depends on your grant readiness. Keep in mind that government grants often have large awards but equally large compliance requirements.

To maximize your chances of success, it's important to apply for grants in New Hampshire at the right time. According to the latest data, the best time to apply for grants is in Q2 when 26.4% of grant deadlines fall. Q1 has a similar percentage, at 25.8%. These two quarters provide the highest chance for nonprofits to secure funding. In contrast, Q4 and Q3 are the least active for grant applications, with 24.2% and 23.7% of grant deadlines, respectively. Keep these trends in mind when timing your grant applications to maximize success.

Over the past few years, New Hampshire has witnessed a notable increase in grant funding. IRS reports indicate that the total grant funding in the state rose from $559 million in 2021 to $641 million in 2022. This marks a 14.6% increase in funding for New Hampshire. The largest areas for funding included professional societies and associations, alliance/advocacy organizations, and management and technical assistance. Much of this funding was concentrated in key regions, with Grafton, Hillsborough, and Merrimack counties receiving the highest number of grants.