Dick Ober reflects on 40 years of nonprofit leadership in New Hampshire

After 40 years working in New Hampshire nonprofit organizations, Dick Ober, CEO of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, is looking forward to spending “more time outside” in his retirement.

Ober will step down from NHCF in July, when his successor, Shawn Morehead, takes the helm.

“I am thrilled that Shawn Morehead will be my successor at the Foundation. Shawn is the real deal — she is deeply committed to our purpose as a foundation, she has 15 years of experience at the New York Community Trust, she has roots in New Hampshire, and she is really excited to be here,” Ober said. “I feel great about the future of the Foundation, our staff and our board.”

Ober, who lives in Dublin with his family, said he is happy to be “exploring new possibilities” for the future.

“At least for a little while, I want to be outside — hiking, fishing, and gardening. The roots of everything I do are in my passion for conservation and the environment,” Ober said. “I will definitely stay involved in community life.”

Ober started his nonprofit leadership career with the Society for the Protection of Monadnock Forests, and later became Executive Director of the Keene-based Monadnock Conservancy. He has headed up the N.H. Charitable Foundation since 2010.

Under Ober’s leadership, the total impact of donor contributions and investment returns on the Foundation’s assets increased from $465 million in 2011 to $1.2 billion in 2026. Since 2010, NHCF has awarded more than $660 million in grants and scholarships to thousands of nonprofits and students across New Hampshire. Today, NHCF is the largest provider of funding for nonprofits and public scholarships in the state.

As head of NHCF, Ober developed the “Together We Thrive” strategy, a long-term vision to support and build New Hampshire communities by advancing equity, racial justice, and economic security in every initiative the Foundation supports.

“Dick is an exceptional leader who has guided the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation with vision, creativity, and a passion for building inclusive, equitable and vibrant communities,” said Joe Morone, chair of the Foundation’s board of directors. “All of us who have served on the board with Dick these past 15 years have been inspired by his deep personal commitment to make New Hampshire a better place to live for every Granite Stater.”

During his tenure, Ober also expanded the NHCF’s work addressing substance use disorders and behavioral health, and developed long-term initiatives focusing on early childhood and family support; civic health, basic needs, environment and climate; and education and career pathways.

While Ober acknowledges that New Hampshire nonprofits are facing unprecedented challenges, he is optimistic that the state will “find its way back.”

“In my 40 years working in nonprofits and public policy, this is the most difficult and challenging period we have ever experienced,” Ober said. “It’s a combination of economic, social, and political disruption which is unprecedented. New Hampshire has always relied on private action for public good through the nonprofit sector, but the paradox right now is that the nonprofit sector is being asked to do more than it has ever done before due to draconian cuts in public programs.”

Ober says while “the bad news can be overwhelming,” he is inspired every day by the work of New Hampshire’s nonprofits.

“The really inspiring part of my work has been getting to know the people who are doing the real work to help others through the many nonprofit organizations in this state. When I think of all the generous people who have set up our funds, and the hundreds and hundreds of nonprofit organizations who hold our community together; when I think about the people out there day taking care of kids, or delivering meals, or welcoming new citizens, whether those people are low income, elderly, disabled, whether they are new Americans, refugees, immigrants, or families of color–that is hugely inspiring. The people ‘on the ground’ are the true heroes in the nonprofit sector,” he said.

Ober feels New Hampshire’s sense of community is essential to the state’s ability to overcome challenges.

“New Hampshire values independence, but what not everyone understands is that independence requires community. You can’t exercise your own rights unless you deeply respect the civil rights of your neighbor, and that is the real New Hampshire,” Ober said. “The culture of decision-making that some people in our legislature are promoting right now is not the New Hampshire way. People at the local level know what is best for their communities.”

Ober sees a lack of population growth as one of the state’s largest challenges.

“Too many college graduates leave the state. Young families need to have opportunities here; they need to want to stay here, no matter who they are,” Ober said. “Two of the issues we have been deeply focused on at the Foundation are affordable housing and childcare and early learning; these are some of the pieces that will enable young families to stay here and thrive.”

According to Ober, immigration and increasing diversity are signs of hope for the state, which is the nation’s third-oldest by median age, and one of the least diverse, according to the U.S. Census racial demographics.

“We are not seeing much growth; our natural growth is flat or declining. Our only growth is from migration and immigration. In recent years, we have gone from 3% to 10% people of color, and that is the future of our state,” Ober said. “In people under 18, the percentage is even higher, and thank goodness for that. It is imperative that we have an economy and a culture where people of all backgrounds feel welcome and want to stay here.”

“Helping everyone thrive” is the theme of Ober’s legacy at NHCF.

“The way things are going now, it’s not sustainable,” he said. “Way too many of our neighbors are not able to thrive. We can’t just focus on what is going right in the state — we need to look at the gaps. We need to be a community where everyone can thrive, and that is our single purpose as a foundation, and I feel very fortunate to have been a part of that.”

In addition to his work at NHCF, Ober was co-founder of the national Community Foundation Opportunity Network, served as chair of the board of CF Leads, a national network of community foundations, served on the board of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, and has repeatedly been named among the most influential business leaders in New Hampshire.

According to Ober, the NHCF is unusual among large foundations in that it is “philanthropy of, by, and for the people of New Hampshire.”

“We don’t have one big fund established by one wealthy person. We are stewards of 2,300 individual charitable funds set up by 2,300 families and individuals, in New Hampshire, all based on the fundamental idea that giving back is the right thing to do,” he said. “Giving back to New Hampshire is what New Hampshire does.”

While he sees a strong community spirit all over New Hampshire, Ober says the Monadnock region is particularly special.

“I’ve learned so much about the power of communities and the nonprofit sector from living in and working in the Monadnock region. If there is one place in the state where we have the potential to really work more closely together across the sectors to make our community a place where everyone can thrive … it’s the Monadnock region,” he said.