Fran Mahoney, Women’s Fund of New Hampshire Founder
When it comes to money, Fran Mahoney follows her heart. She’s not independently wealthy, but she has invested wisely. She’s “adopted” girls in three countries, Guatemala, Honduras, and French Guinea, taken in an old cat from the local animal shelter, and become a founder of the Women’s Fund of New Hampshire.
“I love animals and I love people and I want to help, especially women and girls,” she said as she sat in her Bedford living room watched closely by her large, well-loved mixed-breed cat, “Sevie.”
“I said, ok, I’m going to cover these things that benefit people and animals.” And being efficient she put it in writing. Mahoney’s estate plan now reflects those loves and the Women’s Fund of New Hampshire which seeks to aid needy women and girls throughout the state, the World Wildlife Fund, which seeks to protect endangered animals and Childreach, which identifies underprivileged children in other countries and tries to improve their lives and communities are all beneficiaries of her planning.
In fact, that’s how she came to be a “founder” of the Women’s Fund. “I didn’t know that’s what I was doing: I just said I think I’ll do something to contribute.” It’s worked out well.
“It’s been very interesting to watch the Women’s Fund develop, and to see its vision unfold,” she said. For her part, Mahoney has taken the lead in one of the Fund’s major tasks, grant making.
“It’s so much fun,” she said, “to see the ideas people come up with to improve the lot of women and girls.”
