The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund Distributed $765,035 in Grant Funds to 76 Area Nonprofit Organizations

The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund recently distributed $765,035 in grant funds to 76 area nonprofit organizations at a gathering at the Laconia Country Club.

Nonprofit leaders accepted their checks during the event and celebrated the largest allocation, to the most organizations, in the Children’s Fund’s 44-year history. 

Grants received will be used by the organizations to fund wide-ranging programs that support local children and families in need in the areas of abuse mitigation, child and afterschool programming, clothing, emergency needs, family support and education, food insufficiency, health needs, holiday, housing, literacy, mentoring, recreation and camp, and substance abuse mitigation.

“We are so proud to be able to support these amazing organizations that work tirelessly all year round to support the most vulnerable among us,” said the fund’s Executive Director Jennifer Kelley. “We are grateful for the work you do and so thrilled to be able to help you make a difference.”

The Children’s Fund raised $883,023 in 2025, and its Board of Directors approved a funding budget of $765,035, which represented a 15 percent increase over 2024 grants. Eighty-two applicants requested $1.014 million.

After making the grants, $117,988 remained in the Children’s Fund’s budget to cover operating costs and a reserve for emergency expenses.

Six applicants were denied funding because they either were not eligible, withdrew or their mission was not aligned with the Children’s Fund.

The Children’s Fund’s Distribution Committee worked tirelessly from October 2025 through March to review the grant applications and evaluate the health of each organization and its past use of funding to ensure that every dollar the fund grants has impact. A shout out to the Community Engagement Committee who helped organize the event.

Board Chair Doug Morrissette is pleased with the process the organization uses to determine grant eligibility. 

“Our process is thorough, transparent and trusted,” Morrissette said. “We are confident that funds we raise and distribute significantly work to improve the lives of local children and their families by ensuring their basic needs are met, and they have opportunities to thrive.”

Distribution Committee Chair Larry Poliquin said, “The committee is charged with problem-solving, analysis, empathy and community awareness, so we can assure all who donate, bid and volunteer that the funding is being spent wisely.”

The next round of grant applications will be due by Oct. 15, 2026. To apply for funding or learn more click here.

In the past 44 years, the Children’s Fund has distributed over $10 million to nonprofit organizations in the community.  To see Where our Money Goes, click here.

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Thank Laconia Daily Sun for attending the event and for your coverage!