From left, MVSB Fund Committee members Charley Hanson, Carmen Lorentz, Marcus Weeks, Patrick Cate and Andy Hartmann stand inside the MVSB Main Office in Meredith.
The MVSB Fund at New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has awarded $116,539 in grants to 53 local nonprofit organizations. Of this total, $100,539 was granted to 37 local agencies and $16,000 was distributed to 16 local food pantries to help combat food insecurity in the Bank’s service area. These grants are part of MVSB’s ongoing commitment to supporting organizations that strengthen the communities where its customers and employees live and work.
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 621 grants totaling over $2.2 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.
“Our communities thrive because of the dedication and compassion of local nonprofits,” said Marcus Weeks, MVSB President. “Through the MVSB Fund, we’re proud to help these organizations continue to provide essential services, expand their reach, and make a lasting difference for the people and places we all care about. Their efforts inspire us every day and remind us of the power of coming together to build stronger, more vibrant communities.”
This year’s MVSB Fund grant recipients include:
Annie’s Angels Memorial Fund, Newmarket
Awarded $2,500 to assist individuals managing medical and caregiving expenses with essential utility costs. Annie’s Angels provides financial support to families in need during times of illness or hardship.
Austin17House, Brentwood
Awarded $2,500 to repair a mini-bus used to transport youth and community members. Austin17House is a youth and family community center that promotes positive youth development. They offer a safe place for community members to drop in, make friends, and enjoy activities and meal.
Child Advocacy Center of Rockingham County, Portsmouth
Awarded $2,500 to upgrade technology infrastructure in its recently expanded facility. The Child Advocacy Center nurtures children affected by abuse and violent crimes, providing a safe environment where they can make their voices heard.
Circle Program, Plymouth
Awarded $2,500 to support school-year mentoring and enrichment programs. Circle Program empowers, transforms and enriches girls’ lives through community, connection, camp and mentorship.
Community Food Center – Tamworth & Sandwich
Awarded $2,500 to purchase non-food essentials such as toiletries, paper goods and cleaning supplies. The Center provides food and household necessities to local residents in need.
Dismas Home of New Hampshire, Rochester
Awarded $2,500 to support the launch of the Rochester Recovery & Reentry Program. Dismas Home offers transitional housing and recovery support for women reentering the community after incarceration.
Family Promise of the Lakes Region, Laconia
Awarded $2,500 to expand support services for families in crisis. Family Promise of the Lakes Region is dedicated to supporting families with minor children in Belknap County who are facing housing challenges.
Friends of Carroll County Adult Tutorial Program, Tamworth
Awarded $2,500 to support adult education programs. The organization provides literacy and learning opportunities to help adults achieve personal and professional goals.
Got Lunch! Plymouth, Plymouth
Awarded $4,000 to provide nutritious food to children during the summer months. Got Lunch! Plymouth partners with the community to ensure local children have access to healthy meals when school is not in session.
Haven Violence Prevention & Support Services, Portsmouth
Awarded $2,500 to support the Building Dignity Campaign – historic initiative to establish HAVEN’s first permanent home in its 46-year history. HAVEN is the largest violence prevention and support services agency in NH. They are dedicated to addressing public health through violence prevention and providing services to improve the well-being of children and families.
Hidden Battles Foundation
Awarded $2,750 to support a Comedy Class program that promotes mental wellness for first responders and veterans. Hidden Battles offers programs that strengthen emotional resilience and reduce stigma around mental health for first responders, dispatch, correctional officers and nurses.
Hope on Haven Hill, Rochester
Awarded $2,500 to expand services for women and families affected by substance use disorder. Hope on Haven Hill supports recovery and nurtures the health and well-being of pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorder and their children by ensuring access to quality treatment and services.
Hospice Help Foundation, Portsmouth
Awarded $2,500 to assist hospice patients facing financial hardship. Hospice Help Foundation supports patients and families living below the poverty level by providing funds for critical items that bring comfort and dignity at life’s end.
Interlakes Community Caregivers, Center Harbor
Awarded $3,500 to support mileage reimbursement for volunteers. The organization connects volunteers with neighbors in need of transportation and assistance to support independent living.
Kidneys for Kindness, Alton
Awarded $3,000 to expand its donor assistance program. Kidneys for Kindness provides support to kidney donors and raises awareness around kidney disease.
Krempels Center, Portsmouth
Awarded $2,500 to support therapeutic programming to survivors of acquired brain injury. Krempels Center offers low- or no-cost programs, support groups and resources for members and their families.
Lakes Region Partnership for Public Health, Laconia
Awarded $3,000 to provide Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for youth. The organization is dedicated to leading and collaborating on public health strategies for safer and healthier communities.
Meals on Wheels of Rockingham County, Brentwood
Awarded $2,500 to support the Meals on Wheels program, which delivers nutritious meals and wellness checks to seniors.
Mid-State Health Center – Feed the Need Program, Plymouth
Awarded $4,000 to support the Feed the Need Program, which provides healthy, nourishing food to patients and families experiencing food insecurity.
My Breast Cancer Support, Portsmouth
Awarded $2,500 to supply local hospitals and cancer centers with new patient bags and Hope Chest gift cards, which are provided to patients in need. My Breast Cancer Support provides financial and emotional assistance to individuals and families navigating breast cancer.
New Hampshire Leadership Series, Institute on Disability (IOD), Durham
Awarded $2,500 to support the 2025–2026 NH Leadership Series training. The University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability program empowers individuals with disabilities and their family members to advocate for inclusion and positive change in their communities.
New Hampton GOT LUNCH, New Hampton
Awarded $2,500 to provide healthy groceries to children and families during the summer months. The program ensures local students have access to nutritious food when school is not in session.
NH Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association, Concord
Awarded $2,500 to expand outreach and engagement for the Clinician Wellbeing Network, a behavioral health support program established to address the health and wellbeing of clinicians to ensure quality care for individuals with substance use disorders. The organization supports substance use professionals through education, advocacy and wellness initiatives.
No Brain is the Same, Rye
Awarded $2,500 to expand the Experience No Brain Is The Same educational toolkit. The organization is dedicated to bringing engaging and interactive neurodiversity education to K–8 students.
Ossipee Concerned Citizens, Center Ossipee
Awarded $3,000 to upgrade kitchen cold storage capacity by replacing an aging freezer and improving the dry storage area. The organization provides meals and services to local residents.
Rochester Child Care Center, Rochester
Awarded $2,500 to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of their Helping Hands Pantry, offerings gently used clothing/footwear, toiletries, and food items. The Center supports families with high-quality, affordable child care in Rochester and surrounding communities.
Rochester Learning Academy, Rochester
Awarded $2,622 to purchase technology and resources that support transition planning and skill development for students. The Academy serves students with disabilities in grades 6-12 offering a supportive learning environment with a focus on individualized instruction and enrichment programs.
Sandwich Community Nurse Association, Center Sandwich
Awarded $2,500 to support staffing for their Community Nurse position. The Association provides in-home health care, wellness checks and education to residents in need.
Seacoast Eat Local, Lee
Awarded $2,500 to sustain core programs and strengthen food access initiatives. Seacoast Eat Local connects communities with local farms through markets, education and food assistance programs.
SOS Recovery Community Organization, Rochester
Awarded $2,500 to expand family recovery support services for parents of adolescents in Strafford County. SOS Recovery offers peer-based programs that promote recovery, wellness and community connection.
Speare Memorial Hospital, Plymouth
Awarded $2,420 to outfit two patient care rooms for pediatric services at its Meredith location. Speare Memorial Hospital provides compassionate, community-based health care.
Starting Point, Conway
Awarded $2,000 to provide emergency assistance for victims when shelter space is unavailable. Starting Point offers advocacy, shelter and prevention programs for survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse in Carroll County.
Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine, North Conway
Awarded $3,000 to support the palliative care program. The organization provides exceptional care that enables independent living and enhances quality of life for clients and their families.
Vouchers for Veterans, Rochester
Awarded $2,500 to meet rising demand for its program serving Veterans and active-duty service members. Vouchers for Veterans provides vouchers redeemable for fresh food at local farmers markets.
White Mountain Community Health Center, Conway
Awarded $4,247 to purchase 120 blood pressure cuffs for patients who need to monitor their blood pressure at home. The Center provides the community with affordable access to high-quality, compassionate, individualized healthcare and support services needed to achieve wellness.
Wolfeboro Nursery School, Wolfeboro Falls
Awarded $3,000 to support tuition assistance, teacher development and capital improvements. The cooperative preschool offers a developmentally appropriate education experience for all children ages 3 to 6.
Yoga in Action, Greenland
Awarded $2,500 to expand access to free yoga programs for Veterans, seniors, unpaid caregivers and individuals affected by cancer, disability, addiction, trauma or financial hardship. Yoga in Action aims to ensure all people have access to the therapeutic benefits of yoga regardless of social, physical, and financial barriers.
