How Does the Lane & Elizabeth C. Dwinell Foundation Give in New Hampshire?
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A mix of community funders, corporate givers and private family foundations engage in local philanthropy in New Hampshire. One to note is the Lane & Elizabeth C. Dwinell Foundation.
The late Lane Dwinell was a two-term Republican governor of the state and a member of the Eisenhower and Nixon administrations. Elizabeth Dwinell, his wife, was locally known as a reporter for the Granite State Free Press, an actress for the Dartmouth Players and a member of several women’s clubs. The Lebanon, New Hampshire-based funder maintains a low public profile but is also an accessible one worth learning more about if you run a nonprofit in the state.
Broad local giving
At the Lane & Elizabeth C. Dwinell Foundation, education and social services are the top causes. However, this foundation has been around since 1997 and has given to many different types of nonprofits over the years. It also considers programs that address arts and culture, community improvement, capacity building and health. The primary restriction is that grantees must serve the state of New Hampshire. Note also that this funder gives preference to groups that serve the city of Lebanon and the Upper Valley region.
Health grants are only available to hospitals, clinics, schools and foundations that use the money to decrease the cost of healthcare. The foundation has noted that it prefers to give to organizations that highlight the “liberal bias of the media.”
Recent grant history
The Dwinell Foundation typically only awards grants for periods of one year; however, it occasionally considers strategic multi-year requests. Grants often range between $5,000 and $25,000, and annual giving has been between $100,000 and $300,000 lately. Recent grantees include Lebanon Public Libraries, West Central Services, Upper Valley Music Center and the Grafton County Senior Citizens' Council. Aside from Lebanon-area grants, the funder has also awarded grants to organizations in the New Hampshire communities of Manchester, Concord, Claremont, Canaan and Portsmouth.
Applying for a grant
The Dwinell Foundation uses Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions to administer its grantmaking and consults with a local advisory committee. The process of applying for a grant is straightforward, conducted through Bank of America's online system. Grantseekers can complete the application on the funder's website and contact the regional Bank of America office with questions.
The annual application deadline is August 15, and nonprofits can only submit one request annually. The foundation may consider funding the same project or purpose for up to five consecutive years, but not more than that.
Read more about this foundation and access its grant history and contact information in our complete profile of the Lane and Elizabeth C. Dwinell Charitable Trust, which is part of our New Hampshire grantmaking guide.
