A letter from Foundation President Dick Ober

Dear friends,

I wanted to let you know that I am planning to retire from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation in June of next year.

When I was asked to take on the role of president and CEO in 2010, I fully expected this to be the most rewarding and humbling experience of my professional life — and it has been both.

Our statewide community foundation is a timeless institution, created by and for the people of New Hampshire in 1962 to do good — today, tomorrow, and forever. I will always be grateful to have been part of that journey with so many extraordinary people.

The Foundation today is in exceptional shape. Thanks to the endless generosity of donors, finances are strong and we have steadily increased grants to nonprofits and scholarships to students in recent years. Our board of directors brings a wealth of experience and perspectives, and approaches every discussion and decision with intelligence and compassion. Over my more than 40-year career in New Hampshire nonprofits, I have worked alongside mission-driven, smart, curious, passionate and loving people — and my Foundation colleagues embody all of those qualities and more. New Hampshire’s nonprofit organizations — whose work touches every family in this state every day — are steadfast, doing courageous, difficult, critical work at a time of serious tumult and challenge. The donors who make all of our work possible have stepped up in ways I could not have imagined.

I have often said that this Foundation is at the hub of a “network for good,” one that includes board, staff, nonprofits, volunteers, generous people and their advisors, businesses and public servants who are committed to making our communities better for everyone who calls New Hampshire home. That network continues to grow, and grow stronger.

Our board will begin a search for the Foundation’s next president this fall. (You can read the full announcement here.) The person selected for this role will be well-positioned to continue and accelerate the work that we have begun together. Because while our leadership will change, our commitment to making New Hampshire a more just, sustainable and vibrant community where everyone can thrive will not.

I lucked into my first job in New Hampshire nonprofits when I was 23 years old. I still remember the joy of discovering that I could build a career of caring for this place I love. With the support and counsel and partnership of so many of you, I have been able to follow that pursuit. For that, and for all of you, I am deeply grateful.

Onward,