For 30 years, the Grassroots Fund has invested in the people closest to the challenges facing their communities. Founded in 1996 during a moment of political upheaval, the Grassroots Fund was built on a simple belief that communities know what they need. They should have the resources and power to lead the way forward.
As systems continue to fail the people most impacted by environmental injustice, grassroots groups have stepped up with mutual aid, environmental justice solutions, and deep care for their neighbors.
This work has always been about more than funding. Thousands of community members across New England have helped shape our participatory grantmaking process, building leadership, solidarity, and collective power along the way.
This anniversary is not just a reflection on the past. It is a commitment to the future and a call for long-term investment in grassroots leadership, community resilience, and people-powered change.
This site is a narrative history of the last 30 years. Chronicling the growth, development and messy learning of an organization committed to community participation. With this project we invite you to reflect with us on the past and join our vision for the future.
Grassroots Milestones
Over the last 30 years, the Grassroots Fund has grown alongside the movements, leaders, and communities shaping a more just and resilient New England. Explore the timeline below to trace key moments in our history, from our founding in 1996 to the messy growth, community partnerships, and participatory grantmaking milestones that continue to guide our work today. Each moment reflects the power of community-led solutions and the relationships that have sustained this movement across generations.
Funding New England for Three Decades
Press “play” below to see our distribution of grants over the last 30 years.
What began with 15 grants in 1996 has grown into a regionwide network of thousands of grassroots organizations who have received support over the years. As the years pass you can see the realities of an intermediary grantmaker. The Grassroots Fund navigated the ups and downs of funding availability but persisted in getting more and more funds into hyperlocal community work over time. You can see jumps in grantmaking in key moments in time when community groups stepped up to support crises and the Grassroots Fund team and network of funders and community decision makers had their back. Most notably in 2016, 2025 and 2020. You can also see where we launched our Shared Gifting Cohorts in 2022 with the largest pot of funding we had offered to date.
Thirty years in, The Grassroots Fund has awarded more than $11.9 million to community groups across New England.
Animated chart showing 30 years of small grant distribution from 1996 to 2025, combining total dollars awarded and number of grants per year.
Year
1996
Dollars awarded
$35,250
$35,250 cumulative
Grants distributed
15
15 cumulative
Avg grant size
$2,350
Community Reflections
Thirty years of grassroots leadership is a story written by thousands of people and organizations.
Help us celebrate by sharing your favorite memories, reflections, photos, or milestones. Your stories will help honor the collective impact we've made together across New England and inspire the next chapter of grassroots environmental justice.
Explore our thirty years of grants across New England
The maps below both show the same set of data in different views. On the right you can easily see the reach of Grassroots Fund grants over 30 years. Each red dot represents a grant giving out and visually you can see how it spans the full region. The map on the left offers a more interactive view. Each color represents a time-period of grant making. Use the key at the bottom to see how the layers stack up. Zoom in on the map to see how towns throughout New England have received grants over the years.
Support Our Future: Donate
All of this work is made possible by the support of funders and individual donors who believe in the self determination of communities across our region. Make a donation to the Grassroots Fund in honor of our 30th anniversary to help keep this work going
If you prefer, mail your donation to: New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Inc., PO Box 611, Newmarket, NH 03857. Please make sure all checks are made out to the New England Grassroots Environment Fund.
Donations to the Grassroots Fund are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Every gift makes a difference. Thank you.
