2026 Goals:

Seacoast Science Center (SSC) plays an integral role in providing coastal science and conservation education in New Hampshire and its surrounding communities. SSC’s curriculum-based programs offer interactive, personal, and fun school and visitor experiences. As such, individuals who engage with SSC gain knowledge and motivation to continue learning about our natural environment and are inspired to preserve and protect our Blue Planet. In 2026, we will continue to advance these strategic priorities: elevating our visitors’ experience by providing rich engagement opportunities that increase understanding of the natural world and our influence on it; ensuring our museum and programs are accessible and welcoming to all; providing program scholarships to individuals in need; advancing our marine mammal conservation and education work; and expanding our community (citizen) science opportunities.

Fundraising Events:

High-profile fundraising and community events are held throughout the year. Our 2026 calendar includes the Rescue Run: Race for Marine Mammals 5K trail run in Odiorne Point State Park; World Ocean Day Celebration; Music by the Sea Summer Concert Series; and BioBlitz, a daylong biological survey of Odiorne Point State Park. These ticketed, signature events provide corporate partnership opportunities as well as
individual giving opportunities.

Giving Opportunities:

Seacoast Science Center cultivates financial and in-kind partnerships related to its programs, exhibits and events. These partnerships help us broaden our reach and support our core programs while providing brand exposure for corporate partners who demonstrate their commitment to coastal education, recreation, conservation and climate resilience. Individual gifts in support of our annual fund through our giving societies provide ongoing, critical funding. Planned gifts, major gifts and memorial gift programs are also available.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Seacoast Science Center was built on a strong foundation of volunteerism and the tradition continues. As educators and ambassadors, volunteers play an essential role in advancing the Center’s mission to inspire conservation of our Blue Planet. Volunteers deliver educational programs, serve as exhibit interpreters, help plan and facilitate community events, work on special projects, assist administrative staff and more. Last calendar year, 2,000 year-round and special project volunteers gave over 12,682 hours of their time, equating to 6.5 fulltime staff members, valued at over $455,667.

Board Officers   /   Board Members

Richard Dumore
Chair
Eversource (retired)

Bruce Freeman
Vice Chair
(retired)

David White
Treasurer
Coordinated Transportation
Solutions (retired)

Terri Grijalva
Secretary
Liberty Mutual Insurance (retired)

Tim Acquaviva
RM Davis

John Diamond
Security Industry
Automation Corp (retired)

Kathryn Gill Drew
Merrill Lynch

Brian Fitzgerald
Digital Equipment
Corporation (retired)

Whitney Gagnon
McLane Middleton, PA

James Glynn
Physical Sciences, Inc.

Allison McLean
Eversource

Sara Morris
UNH School of Marine
Science and Ocean
Engineering, Shoals Marine
Laboratory

Charles Potter
Entreperneur

Linda Sanborn, CPA, MBA
Baker, Newman, and Noyes

Matt Siler
Retired

Reid Smith
David Wendell Associates

Colin Capelle (ex officio)
NH Parks and Recreation,
Dept. of Cultural and
Natural Resources

Meredith Collins
(ex officio)
NH Parks and Recreation,
Dept. of Cultural and
Natural Resources

Erik Chapman (ex
officio)
UNH School for Marine
Science and Ocean
Engineering, NH Sea
Grant, Shoals Marine
Laboratory

Allan Waterfield
(emeritus)
University of Delaware
(retired)

Charitable Giving Guide

This 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.