MANCHESTER – A Manchester organization was one of two recipients of a $25,000 entrepreneurial grant during the final night of a non-profit pitch competition, part of the Entrepreneurs Foundation of New Hampshire grant program.
Women for Women Coalition of Manchester and The Post-Landfill Action Network of Lee each were awarded $25,000 during the final night of the elimination competition, Oct. 16 at Smuttynose Brewing Company in Hampton.
“The pressure was on for the seven finalists but they all rose to the challenge,” said Shari Landry, vice president of philanthropy and donor services at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. “The AMP NH Award Competition was a fantastic opportunity for nonprofits to receive feedback and guidance from New Hampshire’s leading entrepreneurs, while also thinking outside the box about how they communicate with the public and potential donors.”
With two $25,000 grants on the line, seven nonprofit organizations made their final three-minute pitches at the EFNH AMP NH Award Competition
The grantees were selected based on anticipated “amplified benefits” for the organizations and communities they serve. EFNH members voted in “real-time” during the event to fund the two projects.
EFNH, an initiative of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, channels the expertise, energy and passion of the state’s leading entrepreneurs to strengthen New Hampshire communities through innovative philanthropy.
The Women for Women Coalition will use this critical funding to provide entrepreneurial and business skills to immigrant and refugee youth. Success for United Newcomer Youth will give minority immigrant and refugee young adults in the Manchester-Concord area the guidance and skills to embark on a productive career plan and to launch sustainable businesses. This 12-month self-directed youth program will provide 40 minority immigrant and refugee youth, ages 16-24 years, training in and exposure to business ownership, leadership, networking and planning skills and the mentoring needed to be successful entrepreneurs.
“This grant will enable us to make a significant impact in our community, increasing the number of resources available to help youth succeed,” said Alim Yai, youth coordinator of the Women for Women Coalition.
With the $25,000 grant, the Post-Landfill Action Network, which currently has active chapters at University of New Hampshire and Colby Sawyer College, as well as other regional campuses, will expand the zero-waste movement at New Hampshire’s universities and colleges through student-led reuse, recycling, and waste-reduction initiatives. Of the 14 large college campuses in New Hampshire, only two have programs to reuse and recycle move-out waste. Program benefits include keeping waste out of landfills, saving universities money on waste disposal fees, saving students money on back-to-school shopping, supporting the recycling industry in the state, and developing student leadership centered on a pressing environmental issue.
“This was a very exciting night and we are fortunate to be doing this work in such a supportive community,” said Brett Chamberlin, director of marketing and partnerships for the Post-Landfill Action Network. “There is a fundamental need to solve the way we deal with waste in this country and we are excited to be at the forefront of bringing zero waste solutions to communities across the state.”
Nonprofit organizations providing services to New Hampshire residents were invited to submit applications in August. Of the 50 applicants, 29 were selected to participate in a “pitch camp” hosted by EFNH members. During the pitch camp, participants were coached — with direct and frank constructive criticism — on how to hone their message and approach. The EFNH Grants Committee narrowed the field to the seven organizations whose proposed projects held the most promise for community benefit. Those seven organizations presented their pitches to EFNH membership at the final competition.
Since 2010, 48 nonprofit organizations have participated in these pitch camps and 10, including the Post-Landfill Action Network and the Women for Women Coalition, have received grants totaling $135,000.
The other five finalists and there projects were:
- The Birchtree Center (Newington, NH) will train 16 para-educators to be autism specialists, allowing 32 students with autism to make documented progress in a public school setting.
- COVER Home Repair, Inc. (White River Junction, VT) will provide urgently needed home repairs and weatherization for low-income homeowners in the Upper Valley.
- Lakes Region Community Services (Laconia, NH) will help low-income single moms train for and find sustainable employment with a livable wage.
- Lyndon State College (Lyndonville, VT) will match interns with at least four North Country employers to implement growth and job creation plans.
- Nashua Police Athletic League (Nashua, NH) will provide local leadership to engage at-risk youth in creating and implementing community projects.
About the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Established in 1962, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is driven by a vision for a stronger, more just, and resilient Granite State. In pursuit of this vision, the Foundation invests charitable assets for today and tomorrow; connects donors to effective organizations, ideas and people; and leads and collaborates on important public issues. Annually, the Foundation awards nearly 5,000 grants and scholarships totaling $30 million. Based in Concord, the Foundation roots itself in communities across the state through its staff, board of directors, and eight regional advisory boards. For more information, please visit www.nhcf.org or call 603-225-6641.
