Why Support Holderness?

Why give? Here are some of the things that make Holderness, Holderness.

Our Community

At Holderness we begin with relationships—the bonds that unite us with friends, coaches, and teachers. Click here to find out how we cultivate this environment of inclusion and support.
Experiential Learning

We love the out–of–doors and our curriculum places students in real life situations whenever possible. Click to learn more about some of our favorite experiential learning programs.
Spiritual Life

As a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools, Holderness has a long tradition of spiritual inclusion. Learn more about our Chapel Program and how we support every individual.
Job Program

Every Holderness student is responsible for the well-being of some part of the campus, working with staff to care for our buildings and grounds. Read more about one of our signature programs.
Snow Sport

Holderness is the only independent boarding school offering ski-racing at world-class levels in combination with a top-tier college preparatory education. Learn more about our signature Snow Sports program.
Mission & Values

Our mission is clear: Holderness School will redefine leadership and intellectual development, preparing all for their journeys in a changing world.
Head's Photo

Heads Photo is one of our most beloved traditions. Follow along as Head of School Phil Peck documents day-to-day life at Holderness.

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Philanthropy

Philanthropy. It comes from the Greek philanthropía, or love for mankind, and it’s defined as a concern for the welfare of others, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or other forms of support for those who cannot provide it for themselves. Holderness School relies on philanthropy for 25% of its operating budget; careful stewardship of tuition revenue, endowment revenue, and financial gifts are the means by which we care for our buildings, staff, and faculty, as well as provide an exceptional education to each one of our students. Philanthropy is an especially resonant word for Holderness School because our most deeply held value is the betterment of humankind—pro deo et genere humano.

There are so many reasons to support Holderness!

You can give to honor the education you received, or your child is receiving; you can give to make sure today’s students have the education they need to succeed, or to provide for a young person who could not otherwise afford Holderness; you can give in honor of a faculty member or favorite program—there are as many possibilities are there are people who love Holderness.

Our Purpose

Giving back and being of service are core values at Holderness which are visible in all aspects of campus life. Our job is to inspire you to invest in the Holderness experience and educate you on how financial resources, time, and knowledge will make a lasting impact on current and future students. We also help forge the personal and professional connections that sustain a strong community and communicate the school’s fundraising priorities clearly and transparently with all who care about its well-being.

Our Strategic Imperative

Holderness will continue to build upon its reputation of careful financial stewardship of resources and build new opportunities for increased sources of revenue, operating effectiveness, and sound management of school assets.

Make a Gift Today!

2018-2019 Report of Appreciation

Our Vision

To make Holderness School a lifetime experience, not just an experience of a lifetime.

Advancement Staff Directory

Our staff are here to share the ways you can help keep Holderness School at the forefront of independent school education and to inspire you with the possibilities for affecting the lives of our students.

List of 9 members.

Mark Sturgeon

Executive Director of Advancement

(603) 779-5225

Bio
Mark was previously at Norwich University, where he served as the senior director of development—major gifts and a senior development officer. Mark most recently managed all operations of the major gifts team. Under Mark’s guidance in the past two fiscal years, his team exceeded their fundraising goals.

Mark’s prior work in the pharmaceutical and banking industries helped him develop a track record of relationship-driven sales, combining a vital blend of expertise in budgeting, operations, and financial analysis. Mark’s management acumen demonstrates his ability to be a strategic thinker, problem-solver, and relationship builder.

Mark earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. He is a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He currently serves as the vice-chairman of the board for the Cystic Fibrosis Lifestyle Foundation. Mark and his wife, Abby, have two young children and live in Plymouth, NH.
Kathleen Kime 99

Director of Major Gifts

(603) 779-5229

Bio
Kathleen returned to Holderness after her time as regional director, FAS Capital Giving at Harvard University and managing director of the Harvard College Fund. She holds a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire, and she and her husband Ryan have two children, Karis and Grayson. Reach Kathleen at (603) 779–5229.
Darren Moore 99

Director of the Holderness Fund

(603) 779-5245

Bio
A member of the class of 1999, Darren returned to Holderness in 2017 after a 14 year career as a capital campaign and fundraising consultant. Darren is a recreational runner, likes to hike and travel. He has visited 38 of the United States 59 National Parks and aspires to see them all some day. Darren and his wife Lucia live in Campton NH.
Peter Barnum

Senior Associate Director of Major Gifts

(603) 779-5221

Bio
Pete was the Holderness School director of admissions for twenty–five years and is the creator of the now–famous criteria for knowing if a young person would be a good fit for Holderness: the trick is to ask yourself, would you want to drive across the country with this young person? He holds a B.A. from Rutgers University, and he and his wife, Joan, have three children: Faith ’09, Sam ’07, and Seth ’05. Reach Pete at (603) 779–5221.
Pat Buckley

Director of Stewardship & Operations

(603) 779-5223

Bio
Patrick joined Holderness in 2015 as the Director of Stewardship. He did his undergraduate work at Colgate University, where he majored in Political Science and History. He went on to the University of Vermont for an M.Ed., Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration. Before Holderness Patrick was Assistant/Associate Director of Alumni Affairs at Colgate University, Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving at Southern Vermont College, and most recently at Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, MA, where he worked in annual giving and membership.

Patrick enjoys hiking and snowshoeing. He used to play the drums, which no one believes because he is generally very quiet. Patrick is on the board of Advice to the Players, a small Shakespeare theater company in Center Sandwich, NH.
Stacy Lopes

Associate Director of Alumni and Parent Relations

(603) 779-5228

Bio
Stacy comes to the Advancement staff after many years in the ski industry including working as the marketing manager for Ragged Mountain and Loon Mountain and the events and public relations manager at Waterville Valley. She holds a B.A. from Plymouth State University, and she and her husband have a daughter. Reach Stacy at (603)779–5228.
Neal Frei 03

Assistant Director of Alumni and Parent Relations

(603) 779-5264

Bio
Neal, a member of the class of 2003 has been a teacher at Holderness and now works in the advancement office as the Assistant Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement. His most recent stint at Holderness started in 2015. Neal received his BA from Hamilton College with a Biology Major and a Math Minor with a Pre-Med focus. His thesis topic was titled Adaptations in Microbial Community Function on Microbial Fuel Cell Electrode in Response to Variations in Circuit Resistances. He is happy to chat about his thesis or about giving to the Holderness Fund at any time.

He previously worked for the United States Secret Service as a Special Agent in the New York Field Office. Neal is a well-known ‘foodie’ who enjoys experiencing new foods everywhere he goes.
Kelly van Lingen

Assistant Director of the Holderness Fund

(603) 779-5220

Bio
Kelly has held a variety of administrative positions spanning over 15 years. She worked as a contract manager and executive assistant for Beacon Partners, a major healthcare consulting firm, and a senior administrative assistant for Scudder Kemper Investments. She has a B.A. from Framingham State University and she and her husband Ed keep busy with their five children. Kelly can be reached at (603) 779-5220.
Tim Platt

Advancement Database Manager

(603) 779-5325

Bio

Tim Platt comes to Holderness after 37 years of teaching Latin and history at the middle and high school level. Tim has also served as an admissions director, music director, and soccer, basketball, and crew coach throughout his time in education. Tim was even the director of Camp Mowglis on Newfound Lake for three summers. A graduate of Princeton University and Dartmouth College, Tim completes the New York Times crossword puzzle every day and recently completed hiking all 48 NH 4,000-footers.