The Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation provides grant support primarily to nonprofit organizations serving Manchester and Amherst, New Hampshire. The Foundation was established to support initiatives that address significant community needs through effective and sustainable approaches. It is governed by a board of trustees who meet three times annually to review grant applications, with funding decisions made during meetings held in February, June, and November. Applications must be submitted electronically by 5 p.m. on the respective deadlines of December 1, April 1, and September 1. Organizations that receive a grant are required to wait two years before submitting another application.

Grants are available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with well-defined problems or opportunities, and a clear, strategic plan for addressing those issues. Priority is given to projects that extend services to underserved groups, build service capacity, promote collaboration, enhance organizational stability, and are potentially replicable or demonstrate innovative practices. Organizations must demonstrate professional and volunteer leadership capacity to successfully implement the proposed project.

The Foundation emphasizes support for initiatives that impact Manchester and Amherst directly, with approximately 90 percent of funding typically directed toward Manchester and 10 percent toward Amherst. Grants are awarded for a one-year period, although multi-year Targeted Grants may be awarded through strategic Foundation initiatives and may last between three to five years. Grantees under these longer-term initiatives must submit annual updates and a final report upon completion.

Eligible funding purposes include programmatic support, equipment purchases, and facility improvements within focus areas such as Arts and Culture, Education, Environment, Human Services, Health, and Public Benefit. The Foundation may also provide general operating support for new initiatives or critical community needs. Applications for new or expanded staff salaries are carefully reviewed for sustainability. Grant requests are encouraged to be transparent and authentically budgeted. Capital campaign contributions are typically capped at 3% of the campaign goal, with exceptions for organizations serving low-income communities.

The Foundation does not fund travel, personal conference expenses, individual scholarships, or camperships, except through its Educational Enhancement Fund. This fund provides up to $750 for teachers and staff in Manchester and Amherst public schools to support classroom and co-curricular activities. Government entities may be considered for grants if the projects fall outside taxpayer-funded responsibilities and involve collaboration or innovative community-focused initiatives.

For more information, applicants may contact Diane at diane@beanfoundation.org or call 603-493-7257. All applications must be uploaded to an assigned Dropbox folder by the deadline dates. Grant decisions are made three times annually in February, June, and November, following the respective deadlines.