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Richard Ober

President and CEO

Richard Ober

Dick Ober leads the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the largest private provider of nonprofit grants and student aid in northern New England. The Foundation manages more than $1 billion in charitable funds donated by hundreds of families and individuals, and awards some 7,000 grants and scholarships exceeding $60 million annually.

Dick has 30 years of experience in nonprofit management and civic affairs. Before coming to the Foundation, he held senior staff positions at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and the Monadnock Conservancy. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards and public commissions, including several Gubernatorial appointments.

Dick currently serves as a board member of the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) and is founder and chair of the Community Foundation Opportunity Network (CFON). He is past chair of CF Leads.

Dick has written and lectured widely on community philanthropy, civic life, and the connections between people and the places they live. His work has been published in books, book chapters, magazines, and journals. He has been recognized with awards from the Environmental Protection Agency, the State of New Hampshire, and Plymouth State University, and has repeatedly been named as one of the state’s most influential people by leading NH business publications.

Dick lives with his wife and daughter in Dublin, New Hampshire.



Latest Posts


Foundation President Richard Ober. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

Nurturing our Civic Health

Civic health undergirds every issue and is a good in and of itself: People are more productive and happy when they are informed, welcomed and respected.

Foundation President Richard Ober. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

Together We Thrive

The Foundation’s new strategic plan is focused on advancing equity and racial justice — to help make New Hampshire a community where we can all thrive, together.

State House, Concord, NH. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

Foundation urges state leaders to allow remote testimony

Citizen participation has always been a priority for the New Hampshire legislature. The health of our citizen government depends on it. And the health of our people and economy depend on stemming the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation joins many others in urging House and Senate leaders to provide the people of New Hampshire the option to testify remotely during the upcoming legislative session.

State House, Concord, NH. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

Foundation statement on state budget

A state budget is a statement of community values, and we believe that elements of this budget and trailer bill run contrary to the values of free speech, democratic representation and equality of opportunity.

Supporters and curious voters wait to hear then Democratic presidential candidate South Bend Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg speak at a campaign event in Nashua NH, Aug. 23, 2019. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

How’s our civic health?

The latest NH Civic Health Index from the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire shows that the state does well by some measures — and it also raises some critical questions.

State House, Concord, NH

State budget is a reflection of New Hampshire’s values and priorities

New Hampshire’s budget carries profound implications for almost every aspect of community well-being. We urge Senators to listen to the voices of nonprofit leaders and advocates, prevent loss of federal funds to New Hampshire, support responsible funding for health, human services and education and reject the language of HB 544.

Photo by Cheryl Senter.

Immigrants bring enormous value to New Hampshire

New Americans are putting their skills and assets to work in thousands of ways for New Hampshire communities. They deserve to be kindly welcomed.

US Capitol Grounds. (Photo by Elvert Barnes Photography.)

In a moment of great peril, inspiration to ‘lift our gaze’

If we can keep our republic together, Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem “The Hill We Climb” will join the pantheon of the most important words spoken in its name.

State House, Concord, NH

Statement on proposed state legislation regulating diversity training

The future of our state, our shared prosperity and well-being, depend on all people being fully welcomed and valued, able to reach their potential and to help sustain their communities. The passage of this bill would detract from, not contribute to, our shared well-being and prosperity.

Generous gift from MacKenzie Scott will help NH communities

National philanthropist and author donates $6 million into Community Crisis Action Fund, which is aiding in COVID relief and recovery. Every dollar donated to the fund supports nonprofits working in our communities.

Foundation President Richard Ober. (Photo by Cheryl Senter.)

‘We are not all in the same boat’

When the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying economic fallout hit our communities, not a single person was unaffected. But some of us were much worse off than others.

State House, Concord, NH

Foundation, Center for Nonprofits, CDFA to administer state’s emergency fund for nonprofits

The $60 million fund, all of which will be disbursed during this calendar year, will support a grants program to be administered by a partnership of the three organizations.