Four N.H. United Ways complete merger

Monday, January 10, 2011

Capitalizing on the "strength in numbers" principle, four New Hampshire United Way organizations have combined into a single entity.

Heritage United Way in Manchester, Concord-based United Way of Merrimack County, Upper Valley United Way of Lebanon and the North Country United Way in Littleton have merged into Granite United Way.

"Reductions in funding, decreased endowments and an increased need for services are all stressing our not-for-profit safety net," said Patrick Tufts, president and chief executive of Heritage United Way who is taking the same titles at Granite United Way. "As an organization in a leadership role, United Way recognizes that we need to change our existing structure in order to increase our impact. By coming together we can build upon our individual strengths to best address the needs of our communities."

According to Granite United Way, the new organization serves over 500,000 residents in New Hampshire and Vermont, and covers nearly 40 percent of New Hampshire’s geographic territory.

Granite United Way spokesperson Shannon Sullivan said the individual regional offices will all remain open "and all fund-raising and fund distribution will remain local."

She also said staff will remain in place.

"Over time, there will be some reductions through attrition, but there really isn’t much overlap," said Sullivan.

According to a press release by the organization, in addition to Tufts, Elizabeth Hager, executive director of the United Way of Merrimack County, will serve as executive vice president of the new organization. Dr. Steven Paris, medical director of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester, is chair of the Granite United Way board of directors.

Representatives of each former United Way will serve as board members of the new organization.

Granite United Way will be holding individual community campaigns with a combined fund-raising goal of $6.5 million to support local programs and services in each region. -- CINDY KIBBE/NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS REVIEW

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