From NHCJE’s 2024 Annual Meeting.
The New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity (NHCJE) has released its 2024 Annual Report, offering a comprehensive look at the organization’s progress, impact, and vision for the future. Following a year of bold leadership, resilience, and collaboration, this report highlights NHCJE’s commitment to making New Hampshire a place where all belong. From community engagement to policy initiatives, NHCJE has strengthened its role as a catalyst for justice and equity across the Granite State. Below are some of the key takeaways from this year’s report.
Advancing Policy Initiatives Across Key Sectors
One of the major highlights of 2024 was NHCJE’s success in advancing its policy platform across six mutually reinforcing sectors of effort, each including its own set of policy priorities. These include:
Civic Engagement: Strengthening voting rights through automatic voter registration, mail-in ballot options, and accessibility improvements.
Economic Development: Expanding affordable housing policies, advocating for livable wages and childcare access, and protecting workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Health Equity: Addressing racial health disparities by expanding Medicaid, increasing workforce diversity in healthcare, and tackling healthcare affordability.
Education: Ensuring all voices can be heard, all perspectives can be shared, and all abilities can be met by defending diversity in education, inclusive pedagogy, and culturally responsive curriculums.
Government: Promoting environmental justice and equity in infrastructure by reducing the energy and transportation burdens.
Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice: Improving racial data collection, linking expungement to cannabis legalization, and advocating for bail reform to reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
Expanding Community Outreach and Engagement
Throughout the year, NHCJE actively engaged with communities across New Hampshire, participating in over 50 workshops and training sessions that reached more than 2,000 people. These sessions fostered conversations on unconscious bias, inclusivity, and equity, equipping participants with practical tools to create more inclusive workplaces and neighborhoods.
Events like the NHCJE Annual Meeting brought advocates, policymakers, and community leaders together to discuss pressing issues, share lived experiences, and collaborate on meaningful solutions.
NHCJE also deepened its commitment to combating hate-based violence and discrimination in light of growing intolerance. By participating in statewide convenings and supporting partner projects, the organization helped advance shared priorities and promote a better understanding of the diverse communities that call the Granite State their home.
These efforts were complemented by a significant expansion in NHCJE’s digital reach, with 16,000 website visits, 32,000 page views, and a 70% growth in engagement. Visitors from all 50 states accessed NHCJE’s resources, reflecting a growing national interest in its work and mission.
Strengthening Leadership and Partnerships
In 2024, NHCJE welcomed three new board members, expanding its expertise and reinforcing its dedication to leadership development, as well as broadening its geographic reach and diversity. The organization also deepened partnerships and collaboration with groups like NH Businesses for Social Responsibility, Diversity Workforce Coalition, NH Food Alliance, Black Lives Matter – NH, Business Alliance for People of Color, NAACP, and local universities and community colleges to advocate for systemic change.
Support from key funders, including the Endowment for Health, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the Nellie Mae Educational Foundation, Point 32 Health Foundation, and You Have Our Trust, helped sustain and grow NHCJE’s impact throughout 2024. Major grants and a transformational award from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation demonstrated the organization’s financial stability and strong institutional backing.
Additionally, grassroots contributions exceeded $20,000 in 2024, showcasing strong community support and a collective belief in NHCJE’s commitment to advancing justice and equity in New Hampshire. Support from local businesses also more than doubled, which reinforces the importance of social equity to our state’s economic and social well-being.
Overcoming Challenges and Building a Resilient Future
Despite significant progress, NHCJE acknowledges that achieving its goals takes ongoing effort. “While our progress is commendable, we faced significant challenges that remind us of the work still ahead,” noted Claire Holston, NHCJE’s Board Chair. “The demand for our services continues to outpace our capacity. With more individuals seeking support, we must find innovative ways to expand our resources,” she added.
Rising polarization, federal funding uncertainty, the backlash against DEI, and systemic barriers regarding housing, education, and healthcare continue to affect New Hampshire’s vulnerable communities. Addressing these issues will require continued advocacy, funding diversification, innovative programming, and determination.
“Amid rising intolerance nationwide, our resolve has only strengthened,” stated Anthony Poore, President & CEO of NHCJE. “We believe that New Hampshire is more prosperous and resilient when everyone feels a sense of belonging and can contribute to our shared future.”
Looking ahead, NHCJE plans to expand its policy implementation efforts beyond education, health, and law enforcement to include civic engagement, economic development, and governance. The organization also aims to strengthen partnerships across urban and rural communities, ensuring equity efforts reach all corners of New Hampshire.
The 2024 Annual Report is a testament to the collective work being done to build a vibrant, flourishing, just, and equitable New Hampshire. As NHCJE continues to grow, its foundation of love, trust, empathy, and accountability remains unmoved. With support from funders, partners, advocates, and donors, the organization will continue driving meaningful change and ensuring we don’t move backward.
Dig into the full Annual Report: