The Amherst Community Foundation has announced that it has surpassed the million dollar mark in life-to-date fundraising efforts. After a successful 2021 campaign, the ACF has now raised over one million dollars on behalf of the town since it was founded in 2014. The ACF is an entirely volunteer based organization that focuses on supporting projects and people that can improve quality of life in Amherst.
After a string of failed warrant articles ten years ago, the need for alternate approaches to projects in town became clear. Taxpayers at the time were making it clear they were unwilling to fund “nice-to-have” initiatives in town. As a result a group began work behind the scenes to create new options. Nancy McMillian (Recreation Director at the time) started raising awareness. McMillian and community member Travis Warren attended a workshop in Massachusetts, ultimately taking what they learned and starting the Amherst Community Foundation.
In March of 2014, the ACF officially registered with the New Hampshire Charitable Trust Division, and filed for tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code. After the paperwork and registration were complete, the focus shifted to building a board and defining the mission of the foundation. Led by Alec Bucannan, Mia Balsama, Anegla Hornor, Rick Katzenberg and a few others, the team plotted their next steps. While the Foundation may have been founded with a focus on recreation in town, it quickly shifted to building a “bigger tent” and on improving the overall quality of life in Amherst, not just recreation.
The Amherst Foundation’s largest project to date has been the Souhegan High School artificial turf project. The foundation was able to help take advantage of a generous matching donation by the Calvetti Family and fund new artificial turf at Souhegan High School. Around the same time, the ACF partnered with the Amherst Land Trust to help fund the Joshua’s Playground project; a playground, community garden, and walking space right in the heart of Amherst.
On top of numerous recreation projects, the Amherst Foundation has begun to tackle projects outside of the parks and rec realm. Their most recent endeavor, the Meetinghouse Campaign, was focused on preserving the historic Amherst Meetinghouse. The Meetinghouse is in the center of town, used by countless groups in Amherst, and is in desperate need of repair and preservation. Another recent venture the Amherst Foundation has started is their own scholarship for a graduating senior at Souhegan High School. The scholarship is awarded to a student the ACF feels upholds their mission and values, and the foundation will be awarding this scholarship for the third time this spring.
As the foundation looks toward the future, they’re always looking for those interested in joining the board or getting involved with the foundation in other ways. Anybody interested should email info@amherstfoundation.org for more information.