SMH Community Health Grant Program

Speare Memorial Hospital offers the Community Health Grant Program to advance the health and well-being of communities within its primary service area in central New Hampshire. Each year, Speare’s Board of Directors allocates a pool of funds to support this initiative, and a designated committee is responsible for reviewing all applications. The committee evaluates proposals based on alignment with needs identified in the Central New Hampshire Health Partnership Community Needs Assessment. Through this grant, Speare Memorial Hospital reaffirms its commitment to community health and collaborative solutions for lasting positive impact. The purpose of the Community Health Grant Program is to support organizations whose projects or initiatives address a community health need and are likely to have a significant impact on health outcomes. Funding is intended for activities that demonstrate measurable improvements to health in Speare’s service region. While all initiatives must directly relate to improving community health, the exact use of funds may vary depending on the organization’s proposal. Organizations are encouraged to design interventions that are evidence-based or that show strong potential for effectiveness in the specific community context. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, applicants must operate in or serve one or more of the following New Hampshire towns: Alexandria, Ashland, Bridgewater, Bristol, Campton, Ellsworth, Groton, Hebron, Holderness, Lincoln, Plymouth, Rumney, Thornton, Warren, Waterville Valley, Wentworth, and Woodstock. Applications must be submitted with a clear proposal outlining how the project will address a relevant health need and improve outcomes within the defined service area. Funding requests must be for a minimum of $2,000. There is no maximum amount stated, and funding decisions are influenced by both the size of the funding pool and the number of applications received in a given year. Importantly, applicants should be aware that funding is not guaranteed from year to year—even if a project has received funding in the past, it is not assured future support. This policy encourages organizations to demonstrate clear impact and alignment with community health goals in each grant cycle. The application deadline is end-of-business on July 15, 2025. The funding period for successful applicants will run from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. There is no mention of a pre-application process or Q&A sessions, and no application questions or evaluation rubric are listed in the public materials. Interested organizations are advised to submit their completed proposals and application materials by the listed deadline. For more information or assistance with the application process, interested applicants may contact Cheryl Callnan, Director of Development at Speare Memorial Hospital, via phone at 603-238-2211 or by email at ccallnan@spearehospital.com. Cheryl serves as the primary point of contact for all matters related to the grant and can provide guidance or clarification as needed during the application process.