CONCORD — The Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation recently awarded twenty one grants totaling $312,971 to organizations in northern New Hampshire, Vermont, and Quebec.

Sixteen of those grants totaling $251,901 were awarded to North Country municipal, educational, and nonprofit organizations. Award selections were focused on education, economic development, basic needs, and community safety net applications.

“It is an exciting time to be working in the communities that Mr. and Mrs. Tillotson held in such high regard,” said Bob Wells, chair of the Tillotson Advisory Committee, in a press release.

“Going forward it is our hope that the immediate and long-term impact will make a real difference in the lives of northern New Hampshire residents.”

Award amounts ranged from $1,500 to $75,000 with the largest going to the Mount Washington Observatory of North Conway. They received $75,000 for a complete upgrade and renovation of the summit museum.

Other awards include $20,000 to the Metalluk ATV Club of Colebrook to develop new ATV trails to connect Dixville and Colebrook to the North Country trail system; $22,135 for overhaul of the heating system at St. Kieran's Community Center for the Arts in Berlin; $28,285 for stipends and a documentary for the North Country Teacher Certification Program at Plymouth State University; $19,590 to Pittsburg Elementary School for renovation of playground facilities; and $18,500 to the White Mountain Ridge Runners of Berlin for emergency response equipment for remote rescues of hikers, snowmobilers and ATV riders.

The Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund was established in 2006 and is a donor-advised fund that accepts proposals from eligible organizations in Coos County, as well as bordering communities nearby states and in Quebec, Canada.

The next grant application deadline is Oct. 1, 2012.

A complete listing of the latest grants awarded and more information about the Tillotson Fund can be found at www.nhcf.org/tillotson.

kgarofalo@newstote.com