Twenty years ago, a small group of Windham residents began asking how local generosity could be transformed into something lasting—something that would strengthen the community not just in the moment, but for generations to come. That vision became the Windham Endowment, an organization that has quietly and consistently shaped Windham’s civic life since 2006.

Through scholarships, grants, special funds, and community partnerships, the volunteer-led organization connects local generosity with projects that strengthen education, public spaces, and community life in Windham.

From the very beginning, the organization was built and led entirely by volunteers.

“We started from scratch, bringing different skills and perspectives together, all focused on doing something meaningful for Windham,” said Diane Carpenter, a founding member and current president. “Looking back, I’m humbled by the trust this community has placed in the Windham Endowment and continually amazed by what’s been possible with the support of our donors and partners.”

That shared sense of trust extended beyond mission to stewardship. Bob Coole, the Windham Endowment’s first treasurer and a current board member, recalls tracking the organization’s earliest records in a shoebox. “It wasn’t fancy, just a shoebox and attention to detail—but that little start laid the groundwork for everything that came after,” Coole said.

This foundation of care, focus, and commitment set the stage for a range of initiatives that continue to shape Windham today.

Some of the organization’s earliest and most visible influence came through support of Windham High School. In 2008, the Windham Endowment launched a capital campaign that raised more than $125,000 to enhance fine arts, technology, and science programs in the town’s new high school. Grants supported music equipment, a baby grand piano, an acoustical shell for the auditorium, and a wireless sound system. These investments strengthened learning and performance opportunities for students, while also enhancing countless community events held in the high school auditorium, from deliberative sessions to community band concerts.

Those early projects set a pattern. Year after year, the group identified opportunities where targeted support could make a meaningful difference. Display cases for student artwork. Band instruments. iPads for elementary students. Scholarships for graduating seniors. Each initiative reflected a belief that small, thoughtful investments could ripple outward.

That approach deepened with a generous donor-directed gift for the construction of a greenhouse at Windham High School—a living laboratory designed to connect classroom learning with real-world application. The Carl E. and Mildred M. Anderson Greenhouse expanded opportunities across grade levels, allowing students to explore science, sustainability, and healthy living through direct experience. From studying photosynthesis and designing experiments to understanding local food systems and environmental responsibility, the space was envisioned as a shared resource for the entire Windham School District across schools, educators, and community partners.

The annual scholarship program was established in 2012, awarding three graduating seniors $1,000 each. What began modestly has grown steadily over time. Today, up to 17 scholarships are awarded each year, and $186,500 has been distributed to Windham students pursuing higher education and vocational training.

For recipients, the impact goes beyond financial support, offering both encouragement and a sense of connection to the community.

“Receiving the Henry E. LaBranche Education Scholarship was an honor,” said Erin Sobocinski (Morrow). “I truly appreciated the financial support, and having a positive educational role model was inspiring. It meant so much to know the community was behind me as I attended High Point University and pursued a degree in Middle Grades Math Education.”

Education has always been central to the Windham Endowment’s mission, but it is far from the only focus. Environmental stewardship has been another defining theme. Beginning in 2010, a partnership with the Friends of Moeckel Pond helped restore the pond and expand public recreational access. Over the next decade, the Windham Endowment supported conservation efforts and the creation of an ADA-compliant kayak launch and fishing dock.

That work sparked youth-led civic engagement, including Boy Scout Eagle Projects and Girl Scout Gold Award projects that further enhanced the area with a pollinator garden, an osprey nest platform, an educational kiosk, and a picnic space on the island.

“Creating the Moeckel Pond Pollinator Garden showed me how much can happen when a community works together for a good cause,” said Sarah Zachas, who led the Girl Scout project. “Seeing the garden continue to grow reminds me that support from the Windham Endowment didn’t just fund a project—it helped create a space for nature, education, and community.”

For families and volunteers involved, the impact has been both visible and lasting. Parents have watched the garden evolve from bare ground into a thriving habitat maintained by students and community members—an example of how youth leadership, supported by the Windham Endowment, can bring people together and enrich the town in enduring ways.

“I watched the Moeckel Pond Pollinator Garden come to life through many helping hands. Today, it continues to grow with the care of students and volunteers—an enduring example of how the Windham Endowment brings people together and strengthens our town.”— Becky Zachas.

Community spaces have also benefited from Windham Endowment’s steady presence. The Underhill–Levin–Gross Library Fund, named for its donor namesake Mary Lee Underhill and her fellow library trustees, has provided annual grants to Nesmith Library since 2013. Additional support has included restoration work at Searles School and Chapel, preservation of the Indian Rock plaque, installation of a memorial marker along the Black Heritage Trail, landscaping and accessibility improvements on the Town Common, and recent efforts to restore the historic Town Hall entryway. Each project reflects a respect for Windham’s past alongside a commitment to its future.

Over the years, the Windham Endowment has responded to evolving community needs through a range of scholarships, special funds, capital investments, and donor-directed projects. This flexible approach has allowed the organization to support everything from historic preservation and accessibility improvements to wellness, education, and recreation—reflecting both long-standing priorities and emerging needs.

Part of this work includes programs that address specific community needs. In 2015, the Don Zimmer Memorial Fund was established to honor the legacy of Don Zimmer and his deep connection to Windham. Though best known for his long career in Major League Baseball, Zimmer was also a familiar presence in town, cheering from the sidelines at his granddaughter’s softball games and supporting local youth sports. The fund provides recreational experiences for families facing serious challenges, offering moments of joy and relief during difficult times.

During the pandemic in 2020, the Windham Endowment established a COVID-19 Response Fund to help the community navigate an unprecedented period of challenge and uncertainty. The effort supported local businesses and included gestures of appreciation for local workers and first responders with gift baskets and meals. Later, it included a partnership with the Windham PTA to sponsor a Summer Wellness Camp for students.

In 2023, the Windham Endowment Community Grant program was launched, opening a new chapter in local giving. In only three years, funding has grown by 50% to support projects that enhance life in Windham, from trail safety upgrades to building improvements.

As of 2026, the Windham Endowment has distributed more than $560,000 overall—a milestone reflecting two decades of thoughtful stewardship and community partnership.

Throughout its history, the Windham Endowment has remained rooted in community trust and volunteer leadership. Board members past and present describe the work as collaborative and deeply personal. The difference the organization has made is evident in so many corners of Windham.

“Everywhere I go in town—schools, parks, community spaces—I see projects the Windham Endowment helped bring to life,” said Barbara Case, a current board member. “It’s gratifying to see how our support is woven into the daily life of the community.”

Today, the Windham Endowment continues its work with the same sense of responsibility that defined its beginnings—now guided by experience and a clear understanding of what lasting impact requires. Community-rooted and volunteer-led, it approaches every decision thoughtfully, ensuring that as Windham grows, the organization remains a dependable partner in helping the town flourish.

As it celebrates 20 years, the Windham Endowment continues to turn generosity into action, leaving its mark on the town—and on the lives of the people who call it home.