Concord, N.H. – When the Rolfe and Rumford Home closed its doors in June of this year, its trustees had to figure what to do with the remaining assets. Ultimately, it decided to establish three new funds at New Hampshire Charitable Foundation to benefit area children and young adults.

The home, which supported homeless girls, had been founded nearly 130 years ago by Sarah Thompson, the Countess of Rumford and daughter of the Count of Rumford who was one of Concord’s founders. The Countess was also an active philanthropist, supporting the needy and mentally ill of the community.

At the time of the closure, the trustees of the home had begun the process of deciding what to do with the assets of the organization. They felt strongly that the community had benefited from the largess and foresight of Countess Rumford and they wanted to honor that legacy. They turned to the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation for assistance.

The newly established Rolfe and Rumford Fund is a donor advised fund with assets of approximately $3 million. The fund has a particular emphasis on programs and services for children and young adults in Merrimack County, with a preference for health, welfare and education. The two scholarship funds with similar names will benefit local students: a female student from Concord High School and a student from Merrimack County.

As part of the transition of assets to these funds, several gifts were made to area agencies, including Concord Boys and Girls Club, Friends Program, Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire (Concord), Concord Family YMCA Day Care, Merrimack Valley Day Care and the Concord Community Music School.

Going forward, the fund advisors will work through the Foundation’s regular grant application process to fund eligible organizations. The scholarship funds will be administered through the Foundation’s student aid program, which is second only to the federal government in providing scholarships to New Hampshire students.

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has been improving the quality of life in our communities since 1962. It builds and manages a collection of charitable funds, totaling more than $370 million, created by individuals, families and corporations. The Foundation is non-partisan, frequently playing the role of convener and catalyst on a broad spectrum of issues that affect our state. The Foundation awarded more than $34 million in grants, scholarships and initiatives last year; more than $140 million in the just the past five years. Based in Concord, the Foundation roots itself in communities across the state through seven regions, which include Lakes, Manchester, Monadnock, Nashua, North Country, Piscataqua and Upper Valley. For more information, visit www.nhcf.org, or call 603-225-6641.