The Couch Family Foundation seeks to partner with organizations whose work aligns with its mission to be a catalyst for positive change in the lives of children and their families—especially those that are most vulnerable.

Grant Programs

The Couch Family Foundation (The Foundation) makes grants serving two strategic priorities: supporting the building and scaling of statewide high-quality early care and education (ECE) systems in New Hampshire and enhancing the well-being of children, families, and communities in the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont, and in Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.

State-Wide: Early Care and Education Systems-Building

Within this priority, the Foundation supports collaboration with public and private partners to build statewide capacity in New Hampshire for leadership, advocacy, and effective public policies that support strong systems of early care and education. Specific strategies include:

• Enhancing advocacy and grassroots organizing to build collaborative coalitions shaping equitable policies to increase access to and quality of ECE for the youngest Granite Staters.

• Bolstering strong, coordinated local, regional, and state systems to equip ECE programs and providers across settings with the resources and tools required to promote children’s learning and development and support a well-prepared and compensated ECE workforce.

• Advancing research and innovation to further explore how to build and scale equitable, high-quality ECE programs and systems.

While we welcome the opportunity to speak with you in more detail about our ECE systems building work, the Couch Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for this priority, rather funding requests are submitted by invitation only. Please reach out to staff to speak further.

Cherished Communities: Upper Valley and Martha’s Vineyard

Given the Couch Family has deep ties to the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire (Grafton and Sullivan Counties) and Vermont (Orange and Windsor Counties) and the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, the Foundation prioritizes nonprofits serving these localities that are focused on ensuring child and family well-being and promoting healthy communities.

Furthermore, the Foundation provides grants in these cherished communities to organizations that align with its mission, have demonstrated impact and strong leadership, implement a collaborative approach to community change, and a focus on racial equity and justice.  Within this priority, the strategy is to strengthen organizational capacity and services to:

• Enhance early childhood (Prenatal-5 years) through early learning and development, health and mental health, and family support services to promote the well-being of young children and their families.

• Nurture vibrant communities to fulfill a significant community need, address an emerging issue and/or promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We encourage first-time grant seekers to apply for project funding and to contact staff for guidance before applying. We also recommend applicants include information about the organization’s impact on children and families in the Upper Valley or Martha’s Vineyard.

The application is available for preview and submission via the online portal.

Eligibility Parameters

The Foundation prioritizes grants to organizations that have strong leadership, deep community relationships, a collaborative approach to community building and that have demonstrated focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Foundation provides the following types of grant support:  

• Unrestricted (i.e., General Operating)

• Project

• Capital

• Event Sponsorships

Please note for Capital Support and Event Sponsorship, contact a member of the Foundation staff  prior to applying for support. The Foundation only considers such applications that are closely aligned with the Foundation’s mission and priorities.  Event Sponsorships are only supported for organizations that have an established relationship with the Foundation.

Grantees must meet the following requirements:

• Applicants must have 501(c)3 nonprofit status or fiscal sponsorship through a 501(c)3 organization.

• The Foundation does not make grants to individuals or religious organizations.

• Grants are not made to public, private, or independent elementary and secondary schools. Trustees will consider requests from nonprofit organizations whose purpose is to enhance the learning opportunities and well-being of children in school.

Questions about the Grant Process? Visit our FAQ

2024 application deadlines

Application Period

February 1, 2024- April 15, 2024

April 16, 2024- July 15, 2024

July 16, 2024-October 15, 2024

Grant seekers may submit an application for funding using our online portal.