Pearl Manor Fund Grant

The Pearl Manor Fund is a grantmaking initiative housed within the Mary & John Elliot Charitable Foundation. Its roots can be traced back to the Women's Aid and Relief Society founded in 1875 in Manchester, New Hampshire. This early collective of women worked to improve lives through community-based health and housing support. Their efforts culminated in the creation of Pearl Manor, a facility dedicated to elder care. When Pearl Manor closed, its remaining assets—approximately $5 million—were transferred by probate court order in 2005 to establish a permanent grant fund under the stewardship of the Foundation. The Pearl Manor Fund continues to operate with the same mission to provide care, comfort, and treatment for the elderly of Greater Manchester. The Fund is designed to support nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with public charity status operating in a defined geographic area within New Hampshire. Specifically, eligible applicants must serve elder residents in Allenstown, Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Deerfield, Dunbarton, Goffstown, Hooksett, Manchester, or New Boston. Grants are awarded annually when funds are available and typically range between $10,000 and $25,000, though larger collaborative proposals may be considered. Priority is given to initiatives that address the critical and unmet needs of the elderly population through healthcare, transportation, housing, nutrition, social support, independent living, and caregiver assistance. Applications are evaluated by the Pearl Manor Fund Advisory Committee, a volunteer panel committed to honoring the fund’s legacy. Strong applications will clearly demonstrate the capacity to execute the proposed project, define measurable outcomes, identify data collection methods, and describe collaborations that avoid duplication of services. A sustainability plan and public communications strategy are also expected. Additionally, projects are expected to reflect an understanding of the elder population’s needs and demographics and propose solutions aligned with those needs. The grant cycle for 2025-2026 requires all applications to be postmarked by September 30, 2025. Applications must be submitted via both email and postal mail. A digital copy of the cover sheet and letter must be emailed as a single-sided PDF by 4:00 p.m. on the deadline day. All required attachments, including the cover sheet, proposal letter, budget, financial documents, and letters of support, must be physically mailed to the Foundation’s Bedford, NH address. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Applicants must submit a three-page grant narrative answering key questions, including a detailed description of the program, objectives and anticipated outcomes, and how the program addresses key social determinants of health affecting seniors. A project budget with notes, organizational budget, financial summaries, a balance sheet, a 501(c)(3) letter, and two letters of support are mandatory. For returning grantees, submission of the previous year’s grant report is required. Questions about the process should be directed to Kelli Rafferty at 603-663-3091 or via email at foundation@elliothospital.org. Completed applications should be mailed to the Mary & John Elliot Charitable Foundation, Bedford Commons, 701 Riverway Place, Building 7, Bedford, NH 03110-9930. There is no indication of a pre-application step or future award announcement date, but the grant is recurring annually, and a new cycle is expected to open around August 2026.

Follow formatting and submission instructions exactly; incomplete or late applications will be disqualified