Our Timeline:

• 2022-2024: The First Congregational Church at 72 Pleasant Street in downtown Claremont, New Hampshire begins exploring dynamic options to further engage the surrounding community - including a spiritual wellness series, live concerts, and other events. To implement a more effective, long-term strategic effort, the Church Council empowers the Administrative Pastor Maggie Monroe-Cassel to recruit a small Steering Committee of select community members in the greater Claremont area as a special project. The Steering Committee is tasked to assess the possibility of establishing a separate, secular non-profit organization to share the building and help to secure its future preservation as a vibrant hub for continued community use.

• Fall 2024: The Steering Committee establishes a mission and vision for the initiative and proposes plans to the congregation. The First Congregational Church of Claremont agrees to serve as a temporary fiscal sponsor to allow formation of a new non-profit entity as proposed by the Steering Committee. The agreement hinges upon a December 2025 deadline for the group to work toward becoming an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization. A Public Forum is hosted in November. 

• December 19, 2024: With guidance from Attorney Bradford E. Cook of NH law firm Sheehan Phinney, The Well Collaborative NH incorporates as a Domestic Nonprofit Corporation in the State of New Hampshire (Business ID 979786).

• January - March 2025: The Well Collaborative NH launches a campaign and first quarter of programming to start to raise funds in order to apply to become an independent, 501(c)3 organization by December 2025. The group votes in Board Officers, Directors, and starts to draft Bylaws and policies in accordance with IRS Form 1023 application requirements.

• Stay tuned as we update our timeline in our work toward the future!

Our Impact

Our Mission is to preserve our heritage and harness community strengths using creativity, inclusivity and collaboration through education, music and the arts, and wellness programs. Our Vision is to become a sustainable and dynamic hub in support of a connected, empowered, and thriving community for all.

Strategic Planning

Goal 1: Preserve and revitalize the iconic building at 72 Pleasant Street, Claremont, NH.

Objectives:

• Draft and adopt a sustainable operational budget for the organization and building

• Create a capital projects list aimed toward infrastructure improvements

Goal 2: Develop and promote events, programming, and resources to encourage building use by leveraging community partnerships.

Objectives:

• Partner with a minimum of 5 organizations per year 

• Establish an event marketing plan and execute accordingly per event/engagement

We are committed to creating programming and safe space within the focus areas of education, music and arts, and wellness for all, including those in recovery, the LGBTQIA+ community, and families with children.

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