From the Diary of Richard Peck
Richard Peck is the founder of The Philanthropy Guy® and a seasoned charitable giving advisor with over 20 years of experience. Formerly a leader at Dartmouth College and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, he now guides donors, nonprofits, and advisors in aligning financial resources with core values. Richard transforms transactional giving into meaningful, multi-generational legacies
The Rhythm of the Lead
The air in the auditorium is thick with anticipation. It is that specific kind of silence that only exists seconds before a performance begins. A young Richard Peck sits behind his drum kit with his sticks poised. He isn’t the frontman and he isn’t the one the audience is looking at, but he is the one they are feeling. As the vocal group begins their first note, Richard finds the pocket. He provides the steady, driving heartbeat that allows the singers to soar.
This was far more than a high school hobby. It was a masterclass in high-stakes collaboration. His group went on to win state championships three years in a row, a feat accomplished only through a relentless commitment to the ensemble. “I learned that it is important to be a team player, always give your best, be friendly and kind, and lead by example,” Richard reflects. Decades later, while he has traded his drumsticks for philanthropic strategy, the core lesson remains the same. A leader’s greatest job is to provide the rhythm that allows others to succeed.
The Value of the “Paper Route” Work Ethic
Long before he was navigating the complexities of multi-million dollar capital campaigns, Richard was building a foundation of grit in Springfield, Massachusetts. Whether it was the early Sunday morning paper route or the physical labor of mowing lawns for ten dollars a piece, he learned that no job was too small for total commitment. These roles were his first introduction to the service side of the economy. They taught him that consistency and presence are the true currencies of trust.
His academic journey took him to the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, where he earned a B.A. in English. This focus on writing and narrative would prove vital in his later years. It allowed him to help donors “write” the final chapters of their own family stories. To bridge the gap between storytelling and strategy, he later earned an MBA in Leadership Studies from Baker College. This degree grounded his intuitive leadership style in rigorous business theory.
Mastering the Institutional Landscape
Richard’s professional rise is a testament to his ability to navigate high-complexity environments with a human touch. For over a decade, he held pivotal leadership roles at Dartmouth College and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. As Director of Leadership Initiatives and Gift Planning, he wasn’t just moving assets. He was aligning the visionary goals of a world-class institution with the personal values of its most significant supporters.
He later brought this expertise to the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation where he served as Vice President for Development & Philanthropy Services. As Chief Development Officer, he oversaw strategies that deepened the foundation’s impact across the state. Holding prestigious designations such as Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®), Richard became known as the expert who could translate the “how” of tax laws into the “why” of human impact.
The Philanthropy Guy® and The 911 Guy
After 20 years in the institutional world, Richard realized that the most important conversations in philanthropy often happen in the quiet moments between a donor and their advisor. He founded The Philanthropy Guy® to humanize these interactions. He now equips CPAs, wealth managers, and estate attorneys with the tools to move past the spreadsheet and into the soul of giving. “My approach is rooted in asking the deeper questions that reveal values, motivations, and long-term impact,” he explains.
His reputation in the field has earned him a unique set of nicknames. Colleagues frequently refer to him as the “911 Guy” or the “Go-To Guy” for the nonprofit world. As one colleague noted, “If we need a resource, a connection, or to share an idea, Rick is routinely our first call.” His impact is often immediate and measurable. For instance, under his guidance, Foxcroft Academy saw a 40% increase in their Giving Tuesday results compared to the previous year.
Innovation: The Generosity Collective
Today, Richard is taking his mission a step further with the launch of The Generosity Collective. Alongside partner Jesse Johnson, he is building a bridge between two worlds. The first wing of the initiative coaches nonprofits through a sophisticated blend of webinars and 1:1 mentorship. This ensures they are truly “funding-ready” for major capital campaigns, such as the $9M campaign he recently guided for the Upper Valley Haven.
The second wing involves an electronic matchmaking system that will soon allow donors to find these high-impact organizations with surgical precision. This creative, out-of-the-box thinking is what sets Richard apart. As one client shared, “Rick’s experience and insight into industry best-practices combined with his straightforward and enthusiastic demeanor made what seemed like an insurmountable task doable.”
Future Outlook: A Mindset of Progress
Richard’s life and work are guided by a favorite Henry Ford quote: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” For Richard, the future of philanthropy isn’t found in doing things the way they’ve always been done. It is found in the “inkling of hope.” It lives in the strategic plan that others might overlook, the bold new venture like The Generosity Collective, and the willingness to iterate until progress ensues.
Whether he is hosting the “Money to Give” podcast or stepping in as an interim Chief Philanthropy Officer to stabilize a nonprofit in transition, Richard continues to play the drums for the sector. He provides the steady, reliable beat that allows the music of generosity to play on.
Editorial Note: Richard Peck’s journey from a championship-winning drummer to a global leader in philanthropy is a reminder that the best leaders are those who know how to keep the beat for others. His work through The Philanthropy Guy® and The Generosity Collective is redefining how we think about wealth, legacy, and impact. For those ready to move beyond the transaction and into a true legacy, Richard’s “deeper questions” are the place to start.
