Portsmouth, NH – The Piscataqua Region of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation announced recent grants totaling $289,936 through its Express and Community Impact grant program. Grants were awarded to 19 nonprofit organizations across the Region's service area of 41 communities in New Hampshire and southern Maine.

"We were pleased to be able to fulfill two requests for multi-year funding by The Portsmouth Music and Arts Academy and the Center for Wildlife each of whom are undertaking long-term strategic work," noted Celina Adams, senior program officer in the Foundation's Piscataqua Region.  "Our experience suggests that the best way for nonprofits to weather difficult economic times is to have a solid foundation built upon strong leadership and an executable strategic plan. These organizations are striving for that type of stability."

Grants were provided to support a wide range of organizations working in the arts, education, the environment, health care and social services. 

Grants awards were made to the following organizations and programs:

A Safe Place received $15,000 to strengthen and enhance the organization's infrastructure by providing professional development opportunities for staff and board.

Arts in Reach received $5,000 to give multi-risk teenage girls the opportunity to create a documentary film on important environmental issues.

Art-Speakreceived$20,000 to partially fund the salary of the Art-Speak Coordinator while key elements of the strategic plan involving important artistic projects in the city of Portsmouth are implemented.

Center for Wildlife received a multiyear operating grant for two years at $20,000 per year to expand wildlife education programming and fundraising activities.

City Year NH received$15,000 to support the City Year Whole School Whole Child program in Hampton and Seabrook, NH.

Community Child Care System received $4,255 to fund a strategic planning process for the agency, with a full-day retreat, post retreat follow-up and a comprehensive implementation plan and timeline.

Community Partners Behavioral Health and Developmental Services received $3,741 to create a computer lab for people with disabilities. 

Equest Therapeutic Riding Center received$5,000 for support of its Veterans Program, serving Maine's disabled veterans and their families.

Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire received $5,000 for "She Votes" at the Rochester Girls' Center, an innovative program to encourage and empower girls to vote and participate in civic activities.

New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game received $20,000to remove the Winnicut Dam in Greenland, NH, restoring diadromous fish and resident fish populations and native ecosystem functions to the Winnicut River. 

New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway received $20,000 to establish a 17-mile non-motorized transportation/recreation corridor passing through 8 coastal NH communities and develop the mechanism for its planning, construction, operation and maintenance.

Northeast Passagereceived $11,220 to purchase new and updated equipment for the Adaptive Skating and Sled Hockey program for children and adults with disabilities.

Portsmouth Music and Arts Center receivedamulti-year operating grant for three years at $20,000 per year to support the development of community-based arts education programs while increasing organizational capacity and efficiency. 

Portsmouth Pro Musica received $4,100 to fund a performance of Handel's Water Music on the Piscataqua River aboard the Gundalow.

Rochester Visiting Nurse Association received $20,000 to hire a consultant to analyze the potential benefits and challenges of merging with The Homemakers Health Services in Rochester, NH.

Seacoast Science Center received $5,000to develop a comprehensive energy conservation and alternative energy plan for the Seacoast Science Center.

Strafford Regional Planning Commission received $5,000 to support the nomination of the Cocheco River to the NH River Management and Protection Program.

Strafford Rivers Conservancy received $12,000 to implement a development program, update easement files and conserve additional land.

UNH Office of Sponsored Research received $19,620 to complete a comprehensive analysis of regulatory and non-regulatory conservation strategies and environmental regulations for the 42 NH and 10 Maine towns within the New Hampshire Estuaries Project. 

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.