Our Mission

“A catastrophic injury creates an incredible financial hardship on an employee’s family and puts the children’s opportunities for higher education at risk,” Grasso said. “When I realized New Hampshire didn’t have a Kid’s Chance, I knew we needed to start one.”

Each state organization operates independently, and New Hampshire’s will raise funds and provide scholarships for children of workers who are seriously injured in that state. Information on an eligible child is entered onto Kid’s Chance of America’s website, and the state organization starts the scholarship process when the child turns 15 or 16.

“We are thrilled with the New Hampshire group’s energy and activity and know they will provide a lot of scholarship activity in this segment of the country,” said Vicki Burkhart, executive director of Kid’s Chance of America.

Kid’s Chance of America supports state organizations, provides a forum for state organizations to discuss best practices, share resources, and collaborate on projects at a national level. There are 39 state organizations and another seven are being set up. Collectively, Kid’s Chance organizations have awarded 6,000 scholarships across the country, totaling over $18 million. For more information, please see www.kidschance.org.

LEVELS OF EXCELLENCE

As recommended by the Council of State Organizations (CSO)

LEVEL ONE (as agreed to at the CSO meeting 4/29/22): Meets the minimum requirements outlined in the annual “in good standing” policy.

• D & O insurance required; liability insurance recommended
• Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest
• Using standard accounting practices and filing annual state and federal taxes
• Current with state’s charitable registration
• Current with PFF
• Has made a scholarship this year
• Annual dues are paid
• Completed annual State Profile Updates

Additionally, meets the following baseline criteria:

• Creates and maintains a balanced board representing multiple stakeholders.
• Schedules regular board meetings, at least quarterly.
• Maintains an annual operating budget with projected revenue and expenses.
• Creates a website compatible with mobile devices and keeps the site current.
• Is represented annually at the KCOA National Conference.
• Participates in Kids’ Chance Awareness Week.
• Has representation at the two CSO meetings per year.
• Employs best practices for scholarships as recommended in the KCOA Scholarship Guide.

LEVEL TWO (In addition to the above)

• Identifies and maintains more than one source of scholarship referrals.
• Holds at least two events in the state (outreach and/or fundraising).
• Maintains a diverse fundraising program capable of meeting revenue projections beyond the annual $7,500 in “good standing” distribution from Kids’ Chance of America.
• Begins discussions and preparations for a scholarship contingency fund.
• Creates a marketing budget for Kids’ Chance branded marketing materials such as banner stands, apparel for golf outings, and swag items for recipients (hats, t-shirts, etc.).
• Has a current planning document (operational, long range or strategic).
• Develops and follows a clearly defined leadership succession plan.

September 2022

• Establishes a working relationship with the Workers’ Compensation entity in the state (for example: local government, large defense carriers, plaintiffs, end of court, etc.).

November 2025

LEVEL THREE (In addition to the above)

• Maintains a contingency fund equal to at least 50% of anticipated annual scholarship awards.
  Depending on the need, consider hiring administrative support or an executive director.
  Provides some type of student engagement activities for scholarship recipients.
  Has adopted a Whistle Blower Policy.
  Has written job descriptions for board members, officers, and committees.