Deadline: 17-Sep-21
Applications are now open for the NiSource Charitable Foundation Fund for Merrimack Valley to support of programs that focus on the core areas of Basic Needs & Hardship Assistance, Economic & Workforce Development, Safety, STEM and Energy Education and Environmental Stewardship.
Focus Areas
Grant requests must be consistent with the purpose of the program and could include requests for existing programs that address continued need, new programs or collaborative efforts in the following areas and sub-categories:
- Basic Needs & Hardship Assistance: Food, Shelter,Social Determinants of Health Service and Mental Health
- Economic & Workforce Development: Retention and Attraction of Job Opportunities; Energy Infrastructure; Community Vitality
- Environmental Stewardship: Protection and Restoration of Natural Resources, Energy Conservation and Environmental Education
- Safety: Emergency Assistance & Disaster Preparedness, First Aid, Safety Education & Energy Safety
- STEM and Energy Education: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Energy Education
Funding Information
- This responsive grantmaking program invites nonprofits to apply for grants between $25,000-200,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are welcome from:
- 501(c)(3) organizations
- Collaborations of two or more 501(c)(3) organizations
- Note: New in 2021-2022, Municipalities of City of Lawrence, Town of Andover and Town of North Andover are allowed as sub-partner or collaborator but not as lead applicant.
- Preference will be given to applications/nonprofit organizations based in Andover, Lawrence and North Andover. However, applicants based outside of the area will be allowed on two conditions:
- If the nonprofit applicant is based outside of the three communities, they must demonstrate a successful history of working within those three communities
- If the nonprofit is based outside of the region and has yet to work within these three communities, applications will only be considered if they can demonstrate an innovative solution to an unmet need that will positively impact the people and places of the three communities in the Merrimack Valley.
- This Fund will prioritize:
- New and innovative proposals that scale existing work in new ways or develop new initiatives
- Programs and organizations that support individuals and families directly impacted by the September 2018 Columbia Gas Incident.
- Cross-organization and cross-sector collaboration.
For more information, visit https://www.eccf.org/fundformerrimackvalley/