When NHEE shared news in July about joining the Fund IRL New Hampshire coalition, the possibility of funding from social media litigation was still largely hypothetical.

That changed this week.

New Hampshire has announced a landmark multistate settlement with Meta related to harms caused to young people through Instagram and Facebook. New Hampshire is expected to receive up to $224 million, paid in ten equal installments. Read the full press release here.

The announcement makes the work of Fund IRL—and the involvement of organizations serving young people across New Hampshire—more timely than ever.

What Happens Next Matters

Fund IRL has been organizing around a simple but important question: If social media companies are held financially accountable for harms to young people, how can we make sure those resources are invested back into young people and the things they need to thrive?

That includes mental health services, but youth well-being is bigger than any one type of support.

Afterschool and summer programs, mentoring, arts, recreation and sports, outdoor experiences, environmental education, STEM, and youth leadership all provide opportunities for young people to build relationships with trusted adults, develop skills, experience belonging, and connect with their communities.

For NHEE, this is an especially important part of the conversation. Across New Hampshire, environmental educators create opportunities for young people to get outside, connect with one another and the natural world, build confidence, and develop a sense of agency and belonging. Those experiences are part of the network of supports that helps young people thrive.

From Coalition-Building to Action

A big thank you to Sunni Tainter, Fund IRL New Hampshire Coordinator with the New Hampshire Afterschool Network, who has been leading the charge to build this coalition in New Hampshire, bring diverse organizations and voices to the table, and make sure our state is thinking ahead about how these potential resources can best support young people.

Thanks to Sunni’s leadership, Fund IRL NH recently met with the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office to discuss the national movement, the social media litigation landscape, and what meaningful investment in New Hampshire youth could look like.

One important takeaway was that decisions about how settlement funds are ultimately directed may require legislative action.

That means now is the time for youth-serving organizations, educators, community partners, families, advocates, and young people themselves to be part of the conversation.

Join the Next Fund IRL NH Coalition Meeting

Thursday, September 17, 2026
11:00 AM – Noon| Virtual

The coalition will discuss the settlement, what happens next, and how New Hampshire can make thoughtful, youth-centered decisions about these resources.

Register for the meeting here!

Fund IRL NH is also gathering input from organizations and individuals across the state.

Share your perspective through the Fund IRL NH survey!

This settlement represents an extraordinary opportunity. NHEE is proud to be part of a coalition working to ensure that the conversation includes not only how we respond to harm, but also how we invest in the real-life relationships, experiences, and places that help young people connect, belong, and thrive.

Learn more about the national Fund IRL movement at FundIRL.org.