Our vision is to serve as an international center for scientific research and learning that helps to improve understanding of weather and climate as well as their impacts on our lives. To achieve this, we aim to become a scientific and technological leader in weather and climate science research; expand our educational programs to reach students across New England; be recognized in and actively participate with national and international conversations on weather and climate science through dynamic communications; and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of this historic nonprofit institution.
Mission Statement:
Mount Washington Observatory is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution with a mission to advance understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate. It serves this mission by maintaining a weather station on the summit of Mount Washington, performing weather and climate research, conducting innovative science education programs and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region.
Top Funding Sources:
Individual donors (members), planned gifts, foundations, grants from public and private organizations, corporate sponsors, media partners, research universities, educational adventures and extreme weather product testing.
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1932
EMPLOYEES: 25
ANNUAL REVENUE: $2,637,140
Service Locations:
Our staff live and work at our weather station in the Sherman Adams Summit Building on Mount Washington, which is owned and maintained by New Hampshire State Parks. Administrative offices are in North Conway.
Contact:
Charlie Buterbaugh
Director of External Affairs
2779 White Mountain Highway North Conway, NH 03860
603-356-2137
cbuterbaugh@mountwashington.org
www.mountwashington.org
Mount Washington Observatory hosts multiple unique events each year to share updates about our work in research, weather forecasting and education. Our signature Science in the Mountains lecture series is held in-person in April, August and November, in addition to several virtual programs. Our largest annual fundraiser, the Seek the Peak hike-a-thon, takes place on the third Saturday of July at Wildcat Mountain Resort. Learn more at seekthepeak.org.
Any gift makes you a member, giving you the opportunity to take a free tour of our summit weather station. And you’ll make an impact on our work in Scientific Research & Technology, Education & Outreach, and Safety & Forecasting. Give by credit card at mountwashington.org/donate. Or, send a check payable to Mount Washington Observatory, Attn. Development, PO Box 2310, North Conway, NH 03860. You can also recommend a grant to Mount Washington Observatory through your donor-advised fund administrator, using our Tax ID: EIN 02-0225135. For information about making a gift of stock or naming Mount Washington Observatory in your estate plan (planned giving), please email giving@mountwashington.org.
Volunteers play a vital role at Mount Washington Observatory, from summit operations to public programs and fundraising. Opportunities are available at our weather station on top of Mount Washington, and at our administrative offices located in downtown North Conway, NH. We also seek volunteers to assist with tasks in the field and at off-site events.
Erica Broman, Ed.D.
President
Newbury, NH
Lourdes B. Avilés, Ph.D.
Vice President
Campton, NH
Beth Newhouse
Treasurer
Gorham, NH
Jeannie Oliver
Secretary
Turnbridge, VT
Robert C. Kirsch
Immediate Past President
Concord, NH
Teresa S. Bowers, Ph.D.
Meredith, NH
Jeb Bradley
Wolfeboro, NH
Michelle Cruz
Conway, NH
Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux, Ph.D.
Burlington, VT
Ty Gagne
Hampton, NH
John F. Gorman
Boston, MA
Drew Landry
Harrisville, NH
Hayley LaPoint
Windham, NH
Gary MacDonald
Conway, NH
Michael Matty
South Hadley, MA
Peter Middleton
Portsmouth, NH
Ken Rancourt
Center Conway, NH
Karen Umberger
Kearsarge, NH
Charitable Giving GuideThis profile is part of NH Business Review’s 2026 Charitable Giving Guide.
To learn more about the Charitable Giving Guide and other New Hampshire nonprofit organizations, please visit www.nhbr.com/CGG.
Mount Washington Observatory is a private, nonprofit, member-supported institution with a mission to advance understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate. It serves this mission by maintaining a weather station on the summit of Mount Washington, performing weather and climate research, conducting innovative science education programs and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region.
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