From left, MVSB Fund Committee members Michael O’Leary, Marcus Weeks, Carmen Lorentz and Charley Hanson stand inside the MVSB Main Office in Meredith (not pictured: Michael Kilfoyle and Scott Weden).
The MVSB Fund at New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has awarded $114,933 to 42 local nonprofit organizations. This includes $96,183 granted to 27 local agencies and $18,750 distributed to 15 local food pantries to help address food insufficiency in the Bank’s communities. The grants are in addition to MVSB’s contributions throughout the year in the form of donations, sponsorships, scholarships and volunteer efforts by employees.
Since 1997, the MVSB Fund has awarded annual grant-based contributions to nonprofit organizations that enrich and improve the quality of lives of residents in the Bank’s service areas. In that time, the program has awarded 568 grants totaling over $2.1 million dollars to a wide range of environmental, social, educational and historic projects throughout the Greater Lakes Region, Plymouth, Mount Washington Valley and Seacoast regions.
“Caring for our community is at the heart of everything we do, and it is an honor to help support these wonderful local nonprofits with this grant funding,” said Marcus Weeks, MVSB President. “These organizations are doing such incredible work to support our communities, and we are excited to see the continued positive impact they will make.”
This year’s MVSB Fund grant recipients include:
Camp Resilience, Gilford
Awarded $5,383 to fund a four-day mental and physical wellness retreat for first responders. Camp Resilience offers retreats in the Lakes Region to improve the physical, social, mental and emotional well-being of military service members, military veterans, first responders and their families.
Central NH Medical Reserve Corps & Community Emergency Response Team, Plymouth
Awarded $5,000 to help cover maintenance expenses for its emergency response vehicle. This program is an initiative of the Central New Hampshire Health Partnership and has a mission to improve the health and safety of communities within the Central NH Public Health Region by organizing and utilizing volunteers during major emergencies.
Children Unlimited, Conway
Awarded $5,000 to support the move to an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system and electronic billing. Children Unlimited specializes in early intervention and inclusive childcare in the Mount Washington Valley.
Connor’s Climb Foundation, Exeter
Awarded $2,500 to expand mental health and suicide prevention efforts. Connor’s Climb Foundation offers positive mental health awareness and youth suicide prevention across New Hampshire.
Eastern Slope Aviation Academy, North Conway
Awarded $2,500 to support a scholarship for a student for flight lessons. Eastern Slope Aviation Academy offers focused, affordable education and guidance in aviation.
Gibson Center for Senior Services, North Conway
Awarded $2,500 to support the non-food essentials pantry program, which benefits recipients of Meals on Wheels. The Gibson Center offers a variety of programs and services to senior citizens in Northern Carroll County.
Got Lunch! Laconia
Awarded $5,000 to support the summer lunch program for Laconia’s school children. Got Lunch! Laconia is a community-based effort that supports children in need by delivering healthy groceries to their home during the summer.
Greater Lakes Child Advocacy Center, Laconia
Awarded $4,300 to add an enhanced security system to enhance staff and visitor safety, deter criminal activity and ensure preparedness for crisis response. The Greater Lakes Child Advocacy Center, an accredited member of the Granite State Children’s Alliance, coordinates child abuse investigations with local law enforcement and the Division of Children Youth and Families.
The Home Possible Project, Laconia
Awarded $5,000 to help fund the development of their first community residence in Gilford. The Home Possible Project works to create supportive housing opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities in the Lakes Region.
I Got Bridged, Portsmouth
Awarded $5,000 for vehicle maintenance and fuel expenses. I Got Bridged focuses on helping local residents who struggle with local transportation, food insecurity, homelessness and substance abuse or addiction.
Interlakes Community Caregivers, Center Harbor
Awarded $1,000 to support volunteer services. Interlakes Community Caregivers is a volunteer-based nonprofit that helps clients meet basic needs by providing rides to local adults who need assistance for appointments and other errands
Karlee’s Home Team, Rochester
Awarded $5,000 to support winter outreach efforts and initiate a new sober living home for couples. Karlee’s Home Team is dedicated to supporting unhoused residents in Strafford County.
The KEY Collective, Exeter
Awarded $2,500 to expand program outreach. The KEY Collective provides K-12 youth from low-income families within the Seacoast region access to sports and other youth activities for free or reduced cost with no red tape and no social stigma attached.
Lakes Region Santa Fund, Laconia
Awarded $5,000 to support the organization’s annual winter clothing distribution and scholarship program, which helps local children attend outdoor activities such as summer camp and ski programs. The Lakes Region Santa Fund provides year-round assistance to children while also offering new cold-weather outer wear in winter.
Mount Washington Valley Housing Coalition, Conway
Awarded $5,000 to support operational expenses and educational programs. The Mount Washington Valley Housing Coalition works to ensure residents have access to an adequate supply of affordable rental and sale housing.
My Breast Cancer Support, Portsmouth
Awarded $2,500 to help fund their Patient Financial Assistance Program, which is critical to supporting community members as they navigate through financial challenges during their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment journey. My Breast Cancer provides financial & emotional support to local breast cancer patients.
New Beginnings – Without Violence & Abuse, Laconia
Awarded $5,000 to support the organization’s efforts to reduce violence and promote health in Laconia and Belknap County. New Beginnings – Without Violence and Abuse serves throughout Belknap County and is dedicated to ending sexual, domestic and stalking violence through a variety of services, emergency refuge, support and social change.
New Hampshire SPCA, Stratham
Awarded $2,500 to support the organization’s low-cost veterinary care program, which helps animals whose owners face financial hardship and cannot afford necessary treatments. The New Hampshire SPCA provides animal adoption and care services to communities in Greater Seacoast of New Hampshire, southern Maine and Northern Massachusetts.
The Pass Along Project, Effingham
Awarded $1,500 to aid in the hiring of a part-time employee. The Pass Along Project supports children placed in foster care with clothing throughout New Hampshire.
Portsmouth Music and Arts Center, Portsmouth
Awarded $2,500 to support their Community Access Program. Portsmouth Music and Arts Center is a hub for Seacoast community members of all ages and abilities to learn and grow through high-quality music and visual arts opportunities.
Restoration Acres Farm, Meredith
Awarded $2,500 to help purchase a riding lawnmower and pull behind trailer to manage farming and property needs. Restoration Acres Farm offers a free dry goods pantry, ready-to-heat-and-eat meals, as well as frozen and refrigerated items.
Step Up Parents, Portsmouth
Awarded $2,500 to offer financial assistance to kinship families. Step Up Parents supports caregivers in New Hampshire who are raising the children of parents with substance use disorder.
Transport Central, Plymouth
Awarded $2,000 to purchase vinyl decals to identify the organization’s bus as a local nonprofit transportation service. Transport Central provides door-to-door volunteer transportation to residents within 19 towns within Speare Memorial’s service area.
Visiting Nurse Association of Franklin, Franklin
Awarded $5,000 to provide POM (Peace of Mind) handheld safety devices for employees, which allow them to contact first responders instantly in the event of an emergency. Visiting Nurse Association of Franklin (Franklin VNA & Hospice) provides quality home health care, hospice and education to individuals and families.
Way Station, North Conway
Awarded $5,000 to grow its services, outreach and awareness programs. Way Station provides safe, welcoming, non-judgmental space and supportive services for homeless & housing insecure residents of Mt Washington Valley.
WinnAero, Gilford
Awarded $2,500 to assist with the purchase of a wind tunnel. WinnAero promotes an interest in STEM through aviation- and aerospace-based programs and experiences for young people.
Winnipesaukee Skating Club, Laconia
Awarded $2,000 to purchase of an electric ice edger. The Winnipesaukee Skating club owns and operates the Merrill Fay Arena and offers affordable opportunities for skaters of all ages and abilities to enjoy the facility.