Couch Family Foundation Grant

The Couch Family Foundation’s Cherished Communities grant program is part of a longstanding philanthropic commitment to the well-being of children and families in specific regions of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The Foundation has strong family ties to the Upper Valley area, spanning Grafton and Sullivan Counties in New Hampshire and Orange and Windsor Counties in Vermont, as well as Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. The Cherished Communities priority reflects this regional focus by directing funding to organizations operating within designated towns in these four counties, as depicted in a detailed map provided by the foundation. This grant opportunity supports nonprofit organizations whose work positively impacts children and families in the Upper Valley and on Martha’s Vineyard. Applications must explicitly demonstrate relevance to the towns identified within the targeted counties. In addition, the foundation places emphasis on understanding the tangible outcomes organizations achieve for children and families. While the grant is open to both new and returning applicants, first-time applicants are encouraged to seek guidance by contacting the foundation directly at info@couchfoundation.org prior to submitting their application. The Cherished Communities grants are awarded three times per year through a structured application cycle. For 2025, the application windows are: January 1 to March 31, April 1 to June 30, and July 1 to September 26. All applications must be submitted through the foundation’s online portal before the close of each respective application period. Award notifications will be made in June, September, and December 2025 corresponding to the application period in which the proposal was submitted. Though the foundation also operates a Statewide Early Childhood Education (ECE) priority, it is not part of this open application process. That track is by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited applications. The three-cycle structure and eligibility rules described here apply only to the Cherished Communities funding priority. Applicants are required to align their proposals with the geographic and thematic focus of the program. In addition to the geographic requirement, the foundation strongly recommends that statewide organizations include data and information that directly speak to their service impact within the Upper Valley or Martha’s Vineyard. Applications lacking this targeted information may be less competitive. All communication regarding the application process, eligibility, and technical support should be directed to the foundation at info@couchfoundation.org. Further instructions, application templates, and an FAQ are available via the online portal. Applicants are encouraged to prepare well in advance of the deadlines and to confirm their organization’s eligibility based on the provided town list and service criteria.

First-time applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation for guidance before applying.