FESTIVAL BENEFICIARIES

Application Process​​

The Wolfeboro Festival of Trees Committee meets annually in October to choose that year’s beneficiaries. The Festival supports local nonprofit organizations whose work improves the lives of people in Wolfeboro and surrounding communities.
 

Eligibility & Required Materials

• Applicant must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization

• A copy of the organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter is required

• If available, we also appreciate a copy of the organization’s most recent year-end Profit and Loss statement and current

operating budget

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Funding Guidelines

Festival funding is intended to support a clearly identified program, service, project, initiative, essential purchase, or

community need that benefits people in Wolfeboro or surrounding communities. Funding may include reasonable

expenses necessary to carry out the proposed work.

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Festival funds are generally not intended for:

• Endowments or reserve funds

• Organizational debt or general deficit reduction

• Expenses already incurred

• Fundraising expenses

• Political activity

• Religious instruction or proselytizing

• Passing funds directly to another entity or organization

• General operating expenses that are not connected to a clearly identified community benefit

Scholarship requests: Scholarship requests may be considered, but preference will generally be given to programs and

services that directly address a demonstrated local need. Requests should explain who is eligible, how recipients are

selected, whether financial need is considered, and how local residents will benefit.
 

Use of Funds & Voluntary Participation

Festival funding is based on the application. Participation in the activities below is voluntary and is not a condition of

receiving Festival funding. Selected beneficiaries are warmly invited to participate when schedules and resources allow.

• Use Festival funds for the purpose described in the application and contact the Festival before making a

significant change to the proposed use

• Beneficiaries are welcome to attend selected Festival planning meetings or assist with event activities when

practical

• We hope beneficiaries will consider providing and decorating a tree, allowing us to feature their organization

and its work at the Festival

• Beneficiaries are welcome to share Festival information within their organizations and communities

• To provide additional visibility, beneficiaries may choose to host a light-refreshment table during a coordinated

Festival event. This may include homemade baked goods or helping source donated beverages or treats from

local businesses or community partners

 

Follow-Up & Impact

We value understanding the impact of Festival funding and how beneficiary organizations put these funds to use. If

selected, we respectfully request a brief follow-up report by October of the following year, approximately ten months after

receiving the funds.
 

• Briefly describe how the funds were used, approximately how many people benefited, what was accomplished, any

significant change from the proposed use, and the amount of any funds remaining

• A brief example of impact is welcome, provided it does not include confidential or identifying information

• Where relevant, photographs are welcome. By submitting photographs, the organization confirms that it has

appropriate permission to share them and grants the Wolfeboro Festival of Trees permission to use them at its

discretion in print and digital communications, promotional materials, social media, reports, and future Festival

materials

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Submission Information

All applications must be submitted in their entirety by October 1, 2026.

Please review your application carefully before submitting to ensure all requested information and required materials are

included. To maintain a fair and consistent review process, the committee may not be able to follow up regarding missing

information. Incomplete applications may limit the committee’s ability to fully consider your request.
 

Before submitting, please confirm:

☐ All application questions have been completed

☐ The application has been signed and dated

☐ A copy of the organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter is included

☐ If available, the prior-year Profit and Loss report and current budget report are included

☐ The complete application is submitted by October 1, 2026

 

Submit your completed application by October 1, 2026 to:

wolfeborofestivaloftrees@gmail.com

(electronic submission preferred)

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Download the 2026 Beneficiary Application

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