Grants from Lincoln Financial Foundation are supporting New Hampshire agencies that feed the hungry, reduce homelessness and use innovative approaches to provide needed services to adults and children at risk. Lincoln Foundation recently awarded $185,170 in human service grants to 13 local nonprofit organizations, a portion of $463,000 in charitable funds that Lincoln Foundation allocated for the area in 2011.
The Friendly Kitchen, Concord’s only soup kitchen, received $100,000 as the lead gift in its rebuilding campaign. The Friendly Kitchen’s Montgomery Street site was destroyed by a fire last April, and the organization has been feeding the hungry from temporary locations ever since. The site for a new facility has been purchased on South Commercial Street.
A $20,000 grant to Crotched Mountain Foundation will complete three years of support that has launched an innovative program integrating dance and movement into therapy for children and adults with brain injuries, developmental delays and cognitive disabilities. Funding for Phase III of the project continues the on-site residency of the Everett Dance Theatre, which will work with staff to increase the communications skills of patients. The grant also will support photography club workshops for Crotched Mountain Specialty Hospital patients, taught by Concord photographer Geoff Forester.
Other human services grants awarded include:
- $12,000 to University of New Hampshire Foundation to underwrite New Hampshire outreach for a film being developed by its Institute on Disability. The film explores how schools, preschools and out-of school organizations are using proven, research-based programs to include and support students with emotional or behavioral disabilities.
- $7,000 to Riverbend Community Mental Health to underwrite a support group for parents of children with Asperger’s Disorder. The program provides peer support, education on the disorder and behavior management strategies to use with the children.
- $6,500 to the Friends Program for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, which mobilizes citizens aged 55 and older to serve in local senior nutrition programs and food pantries, provide isolation-reducing companionship at local nursing homes and hospitals, serve as tutors and mentors for youth, help older adults live independently, and help community organizations operate more efficiently.
- $5,000 to the Capitol Region Food Program to support the November and January distributions of supplemental food to 30 food pantries, soup kitchens and social service agencies in 18 Greater Concord communities.
- $5,000 to Families in Transition to help establish the New Hampshire Center for Homeless Research and Training, the first initiative in the state focused solely on providing service providers, policy makers and citizens with the tools and resources needed to improve outcomes among New Hampshire’s homeless population.
- $5,000 to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) NH to develop podcasts and webinars that will expand NAMI NH’s outreach capacity to those affected by mental illness.
- $5,000 to New Hampshire Association for the Blind for peer support programs that advance the independence of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
- $4,000 to Grafton County Senior Citizens Council to provide home care for Adult Protective Services clients, in order to promote independent living while reducing adult abuse, neglect and exploitation.
- $2,670 to Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association for the Parent Friend Program, a free in-home mentoring program for vulnerable families with young children.
- $2,000 to Share Outreach to support its food pantry, emergency financial aid program and thrift store.
About Lincoln Financial Foundation
The Lincoln Financial Foundation, established in 1962, is a nonprofit organization formed and supported by Lincoln Financial Group. Under Lincoln Foundation guidelines, grants are made in the areas of arts, education, human services and workforce/economic development. The Lincoln Foundation awarded more than $460,000 to support nonprofits in New Hampshire in 2011. Since 2006, the Lincoln Foundation has contributed more than $1.6 million to New Hampshire nonprofits.
About Lincoln Financial Group
Lincoln Financial Group has set aside almost $10 million of its pre-tax earnings for charitable causes that support philanthropic endeavors in the communities where its employees work. Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $153 billion as of September 30, 2011. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life, disability and dental insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.
