Help us strengthen the arts in New Hampshire while keeping your tax dollars invested locally

Program Overview

Our new Tax Credit Program empowers businesses to dramatically increase charitable giving by receiving generous tax credits, all while ensuring your tax dollars stay invested right here in our local communities.

By supporting NHAA’s Capacity Building Initiative, you are helping to build a stronger, more vibrant arts ecosystem - linking artists from rural regions to urban centers, expanding creative opportunities and driving economic growth across the Granite State.

The NHAA Capacity Building Initiative has three major goals:

Why it Matters

Many rural and underserved artists face barriers, including geographic distance and transportation challenges, limited access to professional development resources, and a lack of statewide networks connecting artists to commercial markets and opportunities.

NHAA’s initiative will seek to address these barriers and promote equity by expanding access for all New Hampshire artists. Our three-pronged approach will build a statewide network or resources for artists by:

• launching a Rural Artist Carrier Service;

• partnering with arts organizations across the state to develop a robust professional development program; and

• developing a statewide network to help businesses, artists and arts organizations explore new economic and cultural opportunities.

Increasing our capacity will enhance equity and inclusivity, provide artists with greater economic opportunities and position NH as a leader in arts accessibility.

1. Arts and Economic Prosperity 6: The Economic and Social Impact Study of Nonprofit Arts and Culture.

NHAA Capacity Building Tax Credit Program

How Does it work?

NH Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) awards approximately $5 million in tax credits annually to nonprofits throughout the state. Grants are made in the form of tax equity.

New Hampshire businesses support selected projects by purchasing tax credits, resulting in the nonprofit receiving a donation and the business receiving a 75% New Hampshire state tax credit against that contribution. The credit can be applied against the Business Profits Tax, Business Enterprise Tax and Insurance premium Tax, and can be carried forward for up to five years.

For example, a business can make a $10,000 impact on the local community for a net cost of $1,730.

The value of the tax credits is maintained in the state economy and, according to CDFA economic analysis, magnified by a factor of almost 2:1. The CDFA tax credit program helps participating companies significantly increase community impact by keeping tax investments local.

For more information, contact:

Amanda Kidd-Kestler, Executive Director, New Hampshire Art Association amanda@nhartassociation.org (603) 431-4230

About the Community Development Finance Authority

Established by the New Hampshire state legislature in 1983, CDFA has a long and unique history of providing technical assistance and creative financing to support community economic development initiatives throughout New Hampshire. All Tax Credit projects are subjected to substantial programmatic and financial review. Funding recommendations are made by an Investment Review Committee that includes a combination of CDFA Board members and staff. The highly competitive and rigorous review process ensures that CDFA-funded projects demonstrate readiness, viability, and measurable outcomes.