// Evaluation discovers our “out-sized impact” //
The New Hampshire Children’s Health Foundation was formed in 1997 using the proceeds from the merger of a nonprofit health insurance plan into a for-profit health insurance corporation. We have been operating now for 25 years.
By law, we must distribute 5% of our financial assets each year. Over the last twenty-five years we have distributed $16.4 million in total awards and other investments. Last year we made more than $1.8 million in 28 grants and strategic investments to address a targeted set of children’s health issues that include food insecurity, oral health, childhood trauma and healthy eating / active living.
To mark our 25th anniversary we commissioned a professional evaluation of our influence and impact and the evolution of our grantmaking practices over our first quarter-century. The evaluators reviewed reports and grant documentation, and spoke with and surveyed current and former grantees, current and former board members, staff, and other stakeholders.
The feedback received was generally complimentary. Our stakeholders told the evaluators that they believe the New Hampshire Children’s Health Foundation is effective because:
- We are knowledgeable about issues in our field and the needs of organizations working to address them.
- We are responsive to both questions and input from our nonprofit partners in the field, as well as being responsive to emerging needs.
- We invest in evidenced-based strategies that are known to work, but we are also innovative and are willing to take some risks on lesser-known organizations or promising ideas.
- We are an active partner in problem-solving.
- We have been effective at leveraging our funding by bringing other funders to the table to co-invest in projects.
We are a comparatively small foundation with a staff of only two-and-a-half FTE’s but we take great pride in the fact that we were described by many stakeholders as having an “out-sized impact.” We credit the quality of our board over the years for their leadership and support. It’s made a difference.
The report summary and full evaluation findings are available below. If you review either document and have questions or feedback, Foundation President Gail Garceau welcomes hearing from you. You may contact her at [email protected].