New Futures is a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization working to reduce underage alcohol problems and increase access to treatment in New Hampshire through leadership and policy development, and grants management.
Our History
In 1996, an anonymous donor contributed the largest single gift in the history of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (NHCF) to address the prevention and treatment of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) problems in New Hampshire. The NHCF Board of Directors established a nine-member Substance Abuse Advisory Committee to provide recommendations on how best to maximize these unique resources.
After several months of meetings, review of critical documents and data, and discussions with national, regional, state and local leaders, the NHCF Board of Directors adopted the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and established New Futures to:
- Foster the development of resources statewide to inhibit the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by children and adolescents;
- Stimulate public awareness of ATOD to build broad public support for policy reform;
- Enhance public understanding of the extent of ATOD problems in New Hampshire, including the impact on healthcare, crime and worker productivity;
- Foster dialogue among state and community leaders to support comprehensive approaches to ATOD problems including the review of policies that affect access to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs;
- Facilitate collaboration and integration of community prevention and treatment programs;
- Convene community leaders to enhance statewide planning, program development, and outcomes measurement.
In 1999, a decision was made by the New Futures Advisory Committee to maximize resources and focus on two goals: reducing underage alcohol problems and increasing access to treatment.
In October 2000, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Board of Directors and the New Futures Advisory Committee recommended that New Futures become a 501c3(h) organization. This required moving our office from the campus of the University of New Hampshire to our current location at Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth.
In March 2001, a new, independent Board of Directors was recruited and is now responsible for providing the guidance and governance of New Futures. On July 1, 2001, New Futures was officially launched as a 501c3(h) not-for-profit organization in New Hampshire.
New Futures continues to focus its resources and efforts on reducing underage alcohol problems and increasing access to treatment in New Hampshire through leadership and policy development, advocacy and grant making.