GREENFIELD, NH – Crotched Mountain Foundation is pleased to welcome two new professionals to its fundraising staff: Donna V. Dunlop, of Contoocook, NH; and Laura Rauscher, of Henniker, NH.

Ms. Dunlop will serve individuals with disabilities and their families in her role as foundation grants director by exploring sources of local and national private foundation support for Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center and its related programs throughout New Hampshire and the Northeast. "Having been a member of our board since 1998, Donna brings a visionary perspective to our day-to day operations," states vice president for development, Shari Landry."

After receiving her bachelor's degree (magna cum laude) from Upsala College in East Orange, NJ, Ms. Dunlop went on to earn her master's degree from Rutgers University. Throughout her career, she has served as a consultant to grantmakers as well as non-profit organizations, and was previously employed as a program director for the DeWitt Wallace/Reader's Digest Fund. Most recently, she was senior program officer for the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Over the years, Ms. Dunlop has held leadership positions on the boards of a number of non-profit organizations including: Hopkinton Public Library Foundation; Yale-New Haven Teacher's Institute; parent member of the special education team for the Hopkinton Public Schools; Foxfire Fund; and the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching.

Ms. Rauscher, as development officer, will focus her efforts on identifying and cultivating relationships with individual and corporate donors. She is a graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, where she graduated with honors and received her bachelor's degree in Psychology. Early in her career, she worked with teenagers as a residential counselor at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center. Since 1983 she has been employed by Monadnock Worksource, an agency in Peterborough, NH that provides supports to adults with developmental disabilities. For the past sixteen years, she has served as the organization's executive co-director.

Throughout her career, Ms. Rauscher has been a member and vice president of the Private Provider Network, a group of New Hampshire agencies that provide direct support to adults and children with developmental and acquired disabilities. Most recently, she advocated for the successful passage of Senate Bill 138, a law which eliminated the wait list for services to adults with developmental disabilities and also provided for a wage increase to staff and foster families who provide direct support to individuals. Additionally, Ms. Rauscher volunteers her time to support a number of civic organizations in her local community including: the White Birch Community Center; 4-H; Saint Andrews Episcopal Church; and the John Stark Regional High School.

"Laura's experience, enthusiasm, and insights into the needs of families throughout New Hampshire and beyond will be critical to the successful implementation of our strategic plans," added Landry. "We're delighted to have both Laura and Donna on our team."

Crotched Mountain is a charitable organization employing more than 900 people. Its mission is to serve individuals with disabilities and their families, embracing personal choice and development, and building communities of mutual support. Crotched Mountain provides specialized education, rehabilitation, community, and residential support services for more than 2,000 people annually, at its rehabilitation center in Greenfield, New Hampshire and in communities throughout New Hampshire and in selected locations in Massachusetts, Maine and New York. For more information about Crotched Mountain please visit their web site: www.crotchedmountain.org.