Hanover Cooperative Community Fund

Over twenty years ago, the Co-op’s Board of Directors set up a fund to support other cooperatives—the Hanover Cooperative Community Fund (HCCF). Over the years, HCCF has contributed over $500,000 toward an endowment assisting cooperatives all over the country. Funds are raised through product sales, member and vendor contributions, and events like the 2022 HCCF Golf Tournament held in July.

In perfect alignment with Cooperative Principle 6, Cooperation among Cooperatives, HCCF supports other cooperatives around the country. The interest on the endowment is returned to the Co-op and funds local projects and education through Community Project Grants and the Gerstenberger Scholarship. The project grants are available to Upper Valley non-profits and the scholarship prioritizes Upper Valley residents.

Applications are now open.

HCCF Community Projects Fund Application

2022 Application Deadline: November 18, 2022
2022 Awards Announced: January 18, 2023

The purpose of the HCCF Community Projects Fund is to offer financial assistance to nonprofit organizations that align with the cooperative values and principles with a focus on social and environmental impact.

HCCF Gerstenberger Scholarship Fund Application

2022 Application Deadline: November 18, 2022
2022 Awards Announced: January 18, 2023

The Gerstenberger Scholarship Fund (GSF) offers scholarships to members and employees of cooperatives in the Upper Valley who seek to further the cooperative movement through education, training, and/or business development. The Fund is named in honor of the Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society’s long-serving General Managers, Harry and Arthur Gerstenberger, and first Education Director, Sally Gerstenberger.

The HCCF Review Committee will review proposals seeking between $500 and $2,500 in aid, with exceptions for noteworthy need. All applicants will receive notice of the status of their applications.
NOTE: awards will be made directly to qualifying educational organizations to observe the Fund’s 501[c][3] status.

2021 HCCF Awards

Twenty years ago, the Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society’s Board of Directors set up a fund to support other cooperatives—the Hanover Cooperative Community Fund (HCCF). Over the years, HCCF has contributed close to $500,000 toward an endowment assisting cooperatives all over the country. Funds are raised through product sales, member and vendor contributions, and events.

In perfect alignment with Cooperative Principle 6, Cooperation among Cooperatives, HCCF supports other cooperatives young and old, near and far. And every year, the interest earned on the fund is returned to us for local distribution. The HCCF Community Project Grant and Gerstenberger Scholarship help us to do just that.

Last year, we had 18 applicants (all local non-profits) and $18,500 to allocate—with a cap of $2,500 for each project. The selection committee reviewed each application carefully and chose to fund some smaller, lesser-known projects. They also considered whether the non-profit had other sources of funding and whether the non-profit had received funding from other Co-op programs, such as Pennies for Change.

The 2021 HCCF Awards are:

• Change the World Kids – Soup Kit Project - $2,500
• Friends of Canaan Village, Inc. – Flower Planters - $500
• Harford Community Coalition – Take a Bite out of Hunger - $2,000
• Hartford Norwich Holiday Basket Helpers – Food Gift Cards for Families and Seniors - $1,000
• Hartford Restorative Justice Center – Hartford Restorative Garden - $2,500
• Kearsarge Food Hub – Sweet Beet Café FREEdge Meals - $2,500
• Randolph Area Food Shelf – Skip Program – Summer/School Break Meals for Students - $2,500
• We R H.O.P.E. – 2022 UV Youth Wellness Retreat $2,500

Thank you to our members and vendors who’ve contributed throughout the years! Your contributions really do make a difference!