Beginning this week, local nonprofit organizations serving communities in New Hampshire and Maine will have an opportunity to apply for grants through Northeast Credit Union’s Love Your Community Awards.

Launched in 2020, the Love Your Community Awards initiative is part of Northeast Credit Union’s region-wide Love Your Community Project, which aims to encourage people to practice kindness in their everyday lives. Last year, Northeast Credit Union donated a total of $120,000 across 60 organizations through the Love Your Community Awards initiative, and Northeast Credit Union has committed to matching that commitment in 2021.

“We believe we have a responsibility to both support and shine a spotlight on the leaders and organizations who work every day to help those in our communities who need it most,” said Northeast Credit Union President and CEO Timothy J. Collia. “We are proud of the impact our Love Your Community Awards initiative was able to make in 2020, and we look forward to once again playing our part in helping the many philanthropic organizations across our region.”

Eligible nonprofit organizations can apply for the 2021 Love Your Community Awards through Northeast Credit Union’s website. Once accepted as an applicant, each organization will be tasked with obtaining votes from its community. The 10 organizations with the most votes at the end of every month through July will be awarded donations ranging from $500 to $5,000.

February’s application period opened on Feb. 1, and voting for February finalists will begin on Feb/ 15. All winners will be highlighted on a monthly basis through July on the Love Your Community Project’s website, www.TheLYC.com