Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation's Lakes Region announced grants of $137,000 to local nonprofit organizations through its most recent competitive application grant program.  The grants were awarded to 21 nonprofit organizations serving all or a portion of the Region's 24 towns.

A $11,500 grant was made to the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative to support their "energy raisers" program, which help local residents install renewable energy systems into their homes with a community "barn raiser."  Executive Director

Sandra Jones commented, "We are thrilled to receive support from the Foundation to help us make solar energy more accessible to families in central New Hampshire during this time of rising fuel costs and growing concerns about greenhouse gas emissions. We are using this money to set up a second volunteer solar energy raiser crew for the Sandwich, NH area.  At the same time we are documenting what it takes to organize a new team of volunteers so we can produce a CD that will serve as a training tool for other communities that want to develop similar groups."

Grant awards were made to the following organizations and programs:

Boys & Girls Club of the Lakes Region (Laconia) received $5,000 to operate Summer Day Camp 2008 for disadvantaged youth in Belknap county grades one through nine.

Choose Franklin (Franklin)received $5,000 to promote and advocate for community change in Franklin.

The Circle Program (Plymouth) received $7,000 to support a mentoring program for at-risk girls.

Community Caregivers (Center Harbor) received $5,000 to strengthen their volunteer program.

Franklin Opera House Restoration Committee (Franklin) received $5,000 to help hire an interim director.

Friends of the Gilford Public Library (Gilford) received $5,000 to fund a consultant, who will develop a strategic business plan.

Lakes Region Day Care Center (Laconia)received $12,000 to furnish and equip the infant room in their new Belmont Center.

Lakes Region General Hospital (Laconia) received $5,000 for support of the Community Wellness Center.

The Little Church Theater of Holderness (Holderness) received $5,000 to fund the theatrical production of the winner of a regional Young Playwright Competition.

Newfound Lake Region Association (Bristol) received $5,000 to prepare a strategic plan for communications and membership.

Pemi Youth Center (Plymouth) received $1,000 to make the facility handicapped accessible.

Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (Plymouth) received $11,500 to install solar water heaters.

Project EXTRA! (Laconia) received $15,000 for operating support.

Sanbornton Historical Document Foundation (Sanbornton) received $2,500 to design the website's Public Collection and Digital Library.

School's Out Program (Ossipee) received $15,000 to hire a site director.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (Holderness) received $8,000 to start a new volunteer youth program.

Tiny Twisters Child Care Center (Franklin) received $5,000 to assist with general support.

Twin Rivers Interfaith Food Pantry (Franklin) received $5,000 for general support for the food pantry.

Whole Village Family Resource Center (Plymouth) received $5,000 to strengthen capacity to enhance early development in children and build parenting partnerships with families.

The Winnipesaukee Playhouse (Laconia) received $5,000 to engage professional assistance for the creation and implementation of a long-term strategic plan.

Wolfeboro Friends of Music (Wolfeboro)received $5,000 to assist in supporting a school residency program in March 2009 to benefit 1,000 children.

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has been working to improve the quality of life in our communities since 1962.  It builds and manages a collection of funds, totaling nearly than $490 million, created by individuals, families and corporations for charitable purposes. In 2007, the Foundation awarded more than $33 million in grants to nonprofits and scholarship funds to students. In the past five years alone, the Foundation has granted a total of more than $125 million. Based in Concord, the Foundation roots itself in communities across the state through seven regions including Lakes, Manchester, Monadnock, Nashua, North Country, Piscataqua and Upper Valley.  For more information about the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, visit www.nhcf.org or call (603) 225-6641.