The New England Grassroots Environment Fund

History: Established in 1996 by four private foundations in New England to support the efforts of grassroots activists working on environmental issues.

Set up as a special fund at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the environment fund has since acquired half a dozen more supporters and expects to become independent this year.

Mission: To secure global survival and promote grassroots democracy by increasing participation in environmental projects and by building healthy communities in New England.

Grant making: The fund made 96 grants last year, totaling $181,199. Of those grants, activists in Massachusetts received 37 percent; those in Vermont, 21 percent; in New Hampshire, 20 percent; in Maine, 19 percent; and in Rhode Island, 3 percent. (Connecticut groups were ineligible for grants last year but are expected to become eligible after a board vote this month.)

Application procedures: Grants are awarded three times a year, in March, June, and October. Priority is given to action-oriented volunteer groups that operate at the local level, whether or not they have been incorporated as charities.

Key officials: Cheryl King Fischer, executive director; Stephen Miller and Ted Smith, co-chairs.

Contact: P.O. Box 1057, Montpelier, Vt. 05601; (802) 223-4622.

Web site: http://www.grassrootsfund.org