Hoffman-Haas Fellowship

Applications for the 2025 Hoffman-Haas Fellowship Class are now closed

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Charting a New Course in Nonprofit Leadership

At the helm of every nonprofit organization lies a governing board, steering the ship, guiding the course, and ensuring financial sustainability while exploring innovative ways to amplify their mission's impact. In today's ever-evolving landscape, nonprofits require dynamic individuals with a diverse range of skills and perspectives to take up these critical positions. We believe that the future of nonprofit leadership should be inclusive, vibrant, and rich with fresh ideas.

The Hoffman-Haas Fellowship is not just another leadership opportunity; it's a journey of personal and professional growth that contributes to the betterment of our communities. In return, the nonprofit sector benefits from your fresh energy, innovative approaches, and unique insights. It's a win-win scenario where personal and professional growth meets the greater good.

Our Mission:

The Hoffman-Haas Fellowship is committed to populating New Hampshire's nonprofit boards with inspired, prepared, and ready-to-engage leaders. We empower our Fellows with a strong foundation in board essentials and encourage them to become a catalyst for positive change within existing boards. By joining our fellowship, you will not only embark on a journey of personal and professional growth but also contribute to the betterment of our communities.

What to Expect:

As a Hoffman-Haas Fellow, you will experience a transformative journey, impacting not only your life but also the lives of those you serve. Our program is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and connections necessary to excel in nonprofit board leadership. Here's what you can expect:

Board Essentials: Gain a solid understanding of the core principles of effective nonprofit board governance. Learn how to navigate financial strategy, legal responsibilities, and ethical considerations.
Mentorship: Benefit from the guidance of experienced Mentors who will support your growth and provide invaluable insights into the nonprofit sector.
Networking: Connect with like-minded individuals, diverse communities, and fellow Fellows, broadening your horizons and expanding your professional network.
Leadership Development: Hone your leadership skills through real-world board scenarios, tackling complex challenges, and making strategic decisions.
Enrichment: Participate in workshops, small group coaching sessions, and events that will deepen your understanding of nonprofit governance and leadership.

Is the Hoffman-Haas Fellowship right for you?

Do you want to make a difference in your community? Are you passionate about children, seniors, veterans, animals, arts, the environment or other mission areas? Are you ready to develop your leadership skills and build your network? Find out if the Hoffman-Haas Fellowship is right for you.

Fellows

"The Hoffman-Haas Fellowship was a holistic education on what it is to be a board member. I feel better equipped to serve on a nonprofit board with confidence."
- 2024 Fellow

Hoffman-Haas Fellows are individuals with a strong desire to be effective civic leaders and actively engage in issues which impact their community by applying their problem-solving skills, unique perspective, and personal network to nonprofit board service. The Hoffman-Haas Fellowship will provide you with a robust understanding of what it means to be a nonprofit board member and how you can be effective in that role, regardless of your experience or background.

We encourage applications from a wide range of people with varied professional or lived experience.

FAQs

Mentors

"Mentoring for the Hoffman-Haas program gives a chance to pass along important lessons from our experience as board members and senior staff. Engaging with a new generation of board members gives promise for the future of nonprofits in New Hampshire and lifts the spirit."
- 2024 Mentor

Mentors are a key piece of the learning experience provided to Hoffman-Haas Fellows. Do you have lessons learned from your board tenure that could enhance a Hoffman-Haas Fellow's experience? Join a team of other experienced board leaders to serve as a sounding board and to share your experiences and wisdom with a group of Fellows. Serving as a mentor helps to ensure the next generation of board leaders have the tools they need to effectively govern and maximize their impact.

We encourage applications from a wide range of people with varied professional or lived experience.

Subscribe to "Board Leadership" to receive information about the Fellowship and other board development opportunities.

Complete the Mentor Questionnaire

Sponsorship Opportunities

Empower Tomorrow's Nonprofit Leaders

Sponsoring the Hoffman-Haas Fellowship is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of nonprofit leadership in New Hampshire. It's a chance to invest in a cause that not only benefits the nonprofit sector but also strengthens the very communities where you work, live, and play.

Learn more about sponsorship

Testimonials

"This is a very efficient way to learn a great deal about board service in a short time. The presenters are excellent, and the room is full of interesting people -- the fellows and mentors -- doing cool work."
- Marty FitzPatrick, 2024 Mentor

"The fellowship has been a great experience! Even having served on boards, it solidified my board knowledge. I also now have made many friends to reach out to, if I need any advice!"
- Laura King, 2024 Fellow

"Become a Fellow in the NH Center’s Hoffman-Haas Fellowship program and make a meaningful impact in your board service."
- 2024 Mentor

"Hoffman-Haas created space for me to learn non-profit service from a different perspective. As a non-profit ED, this helped me think about ways to better engage my own board, how to seek board members who enrich the organization, and how to be a better board member myself. I highly recommend this program to anyone who works in the non-profit sector."
- Elizabeth A. 2024 Fellow

"The Hoffman-Haas Fellowship Program is an excellent program for anyone interested in serving on a nonprofit board in NH. The NH Center for Nonprofits runs this program with expertise and is truly a benefit to improving the nonprofit sector."
- Karen Prior, 2024 Mentor

"As a mentor who has served on several non-profit boards, I learned a great deal from the sessions. I recommend them to people who have served, as well as those who plan to serve."
- 2024 Mentor

"The fellowship was invaluable to me as someone coming from outside the nonprofit world. The opportunity to learn from nationally recognized experts as well as from peers within the sector was not only enlightening, but it also profoundly influenced my life and changed the way I think about nonprofits and their boards. It ignited my excitement for community service in New Hampshire and beyond."
- Charles Lockwood, 2024 Fellow

"The Hoffman Haas program has been a transformative experience for me, both as a fellow and a mentor. It has not only deepened my understanding of nonprofit leadership and community impact but also allowed me to guide and inspire others on their journey. I love the meaningful connections and growth it fosters for everyone involved."
- Rob Kleiner, 2024 Mentor

"I'm looking forward to using the knowledge and experience gained as an effective board member from this very educational and collaborative fellowship."
- 2024 Fellow

"Become a Mentor in the NH Center’s Hoffman-Haas Fellowship program and multiply your impact by a factor of 4 or 5 with their team’s approach."
- 2024 Mentor

History

Tom Haas & John Hoffman Named in honor of two NH philanthropists who are known for their dedication to the vibrancy of our state and the well-being of families, the Hoffman-Haas Fellowship honors John E. Hoffman Jr. of Sullivan and Tom W. Haas of Durham.

The Fellowship responds to a critical need in the sector, the need for an expanded and diverse pool of community leaders who are ready to bring their talent, passion and commitment to volunteer board service.

"Board service is probably one of the most meaningful ways to take part in civic leadership, but it does require passion, practice and care. This program will be a boost to many new board leaders and to the nonprofits they serve, so I am honored to lend my name," comments Hoffman.