United Way of Greater Nashua President Retiring

Don Mattise, retiring President of United Way of Greater Nashua

After 22 years of leading efforts to raise and invest tens of millions of dollars into Nashua-area social service programs, United Way of Greater Nashua (UWGN) president Don Mattise announced he is retiring, effective today.

Under Mattise’s leadership, UWGN transformed how it addresses community needs and developed numerous partnerships that bring the power of multiple resources together for the common good.

“We’ve come a long way,” says Mattise. “The Community Chest – our old name – raised a lot of money and gave it to pretty much every social service agency around. Over the years we’ve developed a detailed system of assessing the needs of the 11 communities we serve, setting service priorities, and reviewing agency program proposals to make sure our donors’ contributions are used most effectively. Our trained volunteers pick the best of the best, and then we measure results. For our donors, it’s the best way to know that they are making a difference for their neighbors in need.”

In addition to partnerships with agencies, Mattise oversaw UWGN’s collaborations with numerous organizations that shared the vision of a stronger community. As a result, Greater Nashua now benefits from:

• 2-1-1 New Hampshire, United Way’s statewide information and referral service, which connects thousands of Nashua-area residents to social services annually
• The Greater Nashua Asset Building Coalition and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which over the past four years brought $6.5 million in federal tax refunds back to local residents
• The Greater Nashua Workforce Housing Coalition, which works to increase access to safe, affordable housing for working families
• Beyond Influence, a regional coalition that seeks to improve the health and well-being of local youth through alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention
• United Way-Youth Venture, in partnership with Nashua Community College, which helps local teens put their ideas to work for social good
• Self-sustaining social service programs that were launched with the help of a UWGN seed grant, including:
• Transitional housing programs of Nashua Pastoral Care Center, Harbor Homes, and Greater Nashua Interfaith Hospitality Network
• The Greater Nashua Dental Connection, which provides affordable dental care to income-eligible individuals
• The Neighbor-to-Neighbor Clinic, a predecessor to the Nashua Area Health Center

“We have been extraordinarily fortunate to have staff people, board members, agency people, and above all donors who understand that just throwing money at a problem is not very likely to change the situation in the long run,” says Mattise. “Helping folks so that, going forward, they can help themselves – that’s what it is all about.  And we have a lot of people in this community who have been willing to give a lot of caring, a lot of time, and a lot of money to make that happen.”

“Don has been a real force for good in United Way and throughout the community” says United Way board chairman Rolf Goodwin of Nashua. “He cares, he’s results driven, and he’s been at it long enough so that he knows all the players. I’m grateful he’ll be consulting with us for a while. We’ll miss his knowledge and expertise when he leaves.”

Mattise says that the time is right for a transition. “It has been a great ride. And now United Way of Greater Nashua is taking up some big initiatives. To do it right, my successor should be in place to push these initiatives with a long view.” One such project is to cooperate with community donors and providers such as the City of Nashua, local hospitals, the Chamber of Commerce and other leaders to jointly identify a single community health issue that they can attack together. “We want to change the game, not just apply Band-Aids,” says Mattise. Another is cooperation to set up a new administrative services provider for social service agencies. “We are confident we can help them become more efficient and improve their administrative side so that they can focus on what they do best: providing services to the needy folks in our community.”

United Way board member and Community Investment Chairman Paul Hebert of Nashua has been appointed UWGN President, and will be assisted by board member and Campaign Co-chairman Bob Larmouth of Hollis. “We’ve got a strong staff. Paul and Bob are energetic and focused. And Don will be helping us with the transition. We’re looking forward to a positive time,” says Goodwin.

For Mattise, it is time to start thinking about catching up on missed time with his family.  “Our kids are in Pennsylvania and aging family members there could use our help.  My wife Chris and I are aiming to spend time there this summer,” said Mattise. “Until then, we’ve got things to do and people to help right here.”