Richard Ober, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, announced he plans to retire by June 2026. The board of directors will begin a search for his successor this fall.
A Dublin resident, Ober, 65, was appointed in 2010 and is the fifth person to lead the statewide community foundation since its founding in 1962.
During his tenure, the foundation’s assets grew from $465 million in 2011 to $1.2 billion today, while more than $660 million in grants and scholarships were awarded to nonprofits and students across New Hampshire.
Under Ober’s leadership, the foundation launched long-term initiatives addressing early childhood, civic health, education, environment and substance use disorders, while adopting its “Together We Thrive” strategy focused on equity and economic security. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation raised and distributed $11 million in relief and administered $40 million in federal aid for nonprofits.
“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.”
The board has formed a search committee, led by Morone, and hired Kittleman & Associates to conduct a national search for the next president and CEO. Ober will remain in his role until his successor is in place.
“Serving this remarkable Foundation and New Hampshire communities is the most rewarding and humbling experience of my professional life,” Ober said. “I am as grateful and inspired today as I was 15 years ago to have been asked to serve in this role. Thanks to our deeply experienced and talented staff and board of directors, the Foundation is well-positioned to welcome a new leader next year and continue to make New Hampshire a community where everyone can thrive.”
Before joining the Foundation, Ober held senior roles at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and the Monadnock Conservancy. He has also held leadership positions with national philanthropic networks and was named among New Hampshire’s most influential leaders by state business publications.