Nonprofit Profile: GoodWork

In our "Nonprofit Profile" series, we're introducing you to the many nonprofits from around the state, and the people who are behind them.

New Hampshire Magazine: Tell us about yourself! What is your role at your nonprofit?

Molly Hodgson: I am the CEO and co-founder along with my colleague, Maria Sillari, the COO.

NHM: What is your nonprofit’s mission?

MH: GoodWork’s mission is to strengthen Greater Seacoast nonprofits by maximizing their capacity to meet community needs.  We do this by providing customized strategic support, knowledge and networking opportunities, and affordable living, working and meeting space.

NHM: When was GoodWork founded and why?

MH: GoodWork was founded in 2019.  A philanthropic couple on the Seacoast realized through their many charitable endeavors that the nonprofits they were supporting financially needed more than just money.  They needed coaching, mentorship, professional development, connections to expanded funding opportunities, and technical support.  They conceived of the idea, provided the seed money to launch it, and hired Maria and me to build and run it.

NHM: How did you get involved?

MH: It’s a really neat story.  My now business partner, Maria, and I were both in the running for one position to launch and lead this new initiative.  We had known each other through the years, as we had both been working in the New Hampshire nonprofit sector for over twenty-five years at that time, so we got together to discuss this exciting opportunity.  We agreed that it was a significant undertaking that called for a unique approach.  We decided to pitch ourselves as a team, and the rest as they say is history.  We were hired as partners and are so incredibly grateful and relieved that we have the honor and privilege of doing this important work together.

NHM: What services do you provide?

MH: The GoodWork Incubator provides a unique opportunity for innovative nonprofits to strengthen their capacity, expand their networks and gain visibility. GoodWork uses an application and evaluation process to identify impactful grassroots nonprofit organizations tackling the most pressing social and environmental issues in the New Hampshire Greater Seacoast. Once selected for the Incubator, organizational champions receive access to customized strategic support valued at more than $12,000 over 18 months.  They are matched with trusted thought partners, executive coaches, and experienced mentors.  They are provided with information, tools, referrals, and introductions.  They receive technical assistance and attend monthly programs on nonprofit basics.  They also learn from their nonprofit peers in the cohort and have free access to work and meeting space at Carey Cottage.

NHM: How has your organization grown since its beginning?

MH: We will celebrate five years in business this May and our growth has been quite remarkable.  In addition to putting twenty-four emerging nonprofit organizations through the incubator, we have recently added significantly to our scope of work.  Going forward we will be providing support to established nonprofits as well with knowledge and networking opportunities.  We are also researching how best to support the sector with additional services like administrative support and fiscal sponsorship.

NHM: What’s next? What are you looking to do over the course of the next year?

MH: GoodWork recently completed a six-month strategic planning process, incorporating the input of over 75 stakeholders in the local community to define the organization’s 2024-2026 Strategic Plan. Key components of this plan include the organization’s mission, core values, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) statement, strategic priorities, and approach to implementation. The organization’s programmatic priorities are to continue to provide programs for emerging nonprofits via the incubator program, develop continuing support to our growing alumni network, begin providing support for established nonprofits, research and explore how best to support existing nonprofits with new opportunities for all Greater Seacoast nonprofits, convene knowledge and networking opportunities to help strengthen connections within the Seacoast nonprofit community, continue to cultivate “place-based connectivity” by offering affordable live, work, and meeting space to the nonprofit community and research fiscal sponsorship and back office support models.  We will ensure that DEIB is central to GoodWork’s programs by promoting access to programs, reviewing selection criteria to promote equity, inclusion, and access, embedding DEIB throughout program curricula, amplify information and dialogue around critical DEIB topics, and strengthen connections with BIPOC-led organizations and those serving marginalized communities

NHM: What is the impact that GoodWork is looking to make in New Hampshire and beyond?

MH: When GoodWork injects much-needed resources into burgeoning nonprofits, they become more soundly managed, more stable, and better positioned to provide their programs to the people who need them. As a result, donors and funders get a better return on their generous investments, nonprofits thrive, previously unaddressed problems are tackled, and our communities are stronger.

NHM: What has been your favorite part about working for GoodWork?

MH: Maria and I often say that working for GoodWork is the ultimate ‘pay it forward’ job.  We get to take our years of experience in the New Hampshire nonprofit sector and share it for free.  GoodWork is the organization I wish existed when I was a young new green Executive Director trying to navigate so many things, oftentimes on my own.  We have the opportunity to help leaders save time and money, prevent mistakes, and hopefully feel less isolated and more supported by this thriving ecosystem working collaboratively to make our communities stronger and better.

NHM: How can our readers get involved in your organization?

MH: We certainly don’t do this work alone.  There are several ways people can be involved. They can donate, or sponsor our work, or volunteer!

For more information on GoodWork, visit their website at goodworkseacoast.org.