Beech Street City Center Initiative Funding Announced
Granite United Way (GUW), NH Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA), and Deo Mwano Consultancy (DMC) recently announced the recipients of the Beech Street Center City Initiative one-time grant opportunity, investing $100,000 in the local community.
This opportunity for local program support is a result of DMC working with CDFA to perform a feasibility study in Center City Manchester. This grant opportunity is informed by that study.
Grants of up to $10,000 were offered to support youth-focused organizations and programs in the Beech Street School Neighborhood of Manchester, New Hampshire. The request for proposals opened in June 2025 for local organizations, including nonprofit organizations, school-based groups, community initiatives including sports tournaments, and programs that specifically serve youth 22 years old and under in the Manchester area of Valley Street to Hanover Street and Lincoln Street to Pine Street.
“This is an example of how working collaboratively across organizations we are able to create opportunity for programs to thrive,” said Nichole Martin Reimer, President and CEO of Granite United Way. “The programs supported by this effort are directly serving our youth in positive, productive ways. Thank you to NH Community Development Finance Authority and Deo Mwano Consultancy for bringing this opportunity to some of Manchester’s most impactful programming.”
Each proposal received thoughtful analysis by an eight-member Advisory Group of community members including teachers, school staff, local business owners, and parents who live and/or work in Center City Manchester, according to KR Epstein, Director of Community Impact at Granite United Way.
“It was an honor to work alongside several other community leaders in distributing $100,000 in unrestricted funds to local organizations that support our youth in the Center City Beech Street area! We took the time to ensure this process was inclusive, reviewing applications and offering office hours for technical assistance on completing the grant application.” said Jason Bonilla, a member of the Advisory Group. “Additionally, I was honored to be a part of a group that was representative of the community members living within the communities these funds seek to support. We are confident the funds distributed will go such a long way in continuing to provide our future leaders with opportunities to engage in their community.”
Congratulations to the following organizations who received funding through this opportunity:
Beech Street FC
Bring It
The Granite YMCA
ROSS Leaders Manchester
Safari Youth Club
Center City Youth Basketball
Queen City Bike Collective
MY TURN
Girls at Work
New England Football Academy
Manchester Police Athletic League
NH Black Women Health Project
Manchester Proud
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester
Victory Women of Vision