GMC Gala
The 2026 Greater Monadnock Collaborative Annual Gala presented by Savings Bank of Walpole brings together businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders from across the Monadnock Region for an evening of connection, recognition, and celebration.
This year’s theme, Grounded & Growing, reflects the heart of our work at the GMC. We are grounded in strong local relationships and a shared commitment to this region. From that foundation, we continue to grow our impact through collaboration, leadership development, regional promotion, and events that bring people together. We’re excited to share how that impact is taking shape and to celebrate the momentum we’re building together across the Monadnock Region.
The Gala is an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day and celebrate what that work makes possible. The evening will include recognition of excellence through our Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and Magnify Monadnock awards, honoring the people and organizations helping shape the region’s future.
Guests will enjoy great food, cocktails, and time to connect with colleagues and partners from across the region.
Whether you’ve been part of this work for years or are newly connected to the GMC, the Annual Gala is a chance to celebrate what keeps our region strong and support what helps it continue to grow.
Sponsoring the 2026 Greater Monadnock Collaborative Annual Gala is more than supporting a single evening. It’s a way to stand alongside the businesses and organizations helping shape the future of the Monadnock Region.
Our sponsors are regional champions. They invest in the relationships, leadership, events, and regional promotion that keep this community grounded and help it continue to grow. Sponsorship provides sustained visibility throughout the year across GMC events, digital platforms, and communications, while directly supporting the work that strengthens our regional economy and community.
With tickets now on sale and sponsorships moving quickly, now is the time to secure your place as part of this year’s Gala and our full slate of 2026 Signature Events.
GMC sponsorships are being coordinated by Pam Wilder of Silver Direct, who is managing sponsorship outreach and support for the 2026 Gala and Signature Events. If you’re interested in learning more or would like help selecting the right opportunity, Pam can be reached at 603-903-4228 or pam@silverdirectinc.com
Presented By
$100 | $125 non-members
Table of 8: $800 (available on a first-come, first-served basis with RESERVED table seating) Not a member? Join now!
Keene State College
Zorn Dining Commons
39 Madison Street, Keene, NH 03431
Thank you sponsors!
Ken Jue Non-Profit of the Year
Last Year’s Winner: Monadnock Humane Society
Awarded annually to a regional nonprofit organization which is a member in good standing with the Greater Monadnock Collaborative
Named in honor of Kenneth Jue (1945-2022).
In 2022 we lost a member of our community known locally, nationally, and internationally for his dedication to mental health services. He was CEO of Monadnock Family Services for 33 years where he, among other accomplishments, developed the InShape program which is a comprehensive, evidence-based health and wellness program designed to improve the health outcomes and social inclusion of individuals living with serious mental illness. It is a model that has been used across the world.
Ken’s impact was the most profound. Ken carried himself with a boundless optimism, a true belief in people and an endless capacity for compassion. While mental illness was a personal and professional focus, the nonprofit world held a prominent place in his heart. He had a unique gift at establishing partnerships across organizations and people in our community to help lift everyone. He was tireless at networking across various organizations, groups and individuals finding ways they could collaborate and realize mutually beneficial relationships. If you’ve ever had a meeting with Ken, it usually ended with you agreeing to volunteer for something or join some local nonprofit board. Ken’s involvement with countless nonprofits in our region always overlapped in ways that would help each organization. Those include MFS, Keene Elm City Rotary Club, Trustees of the Keene Public Library, Friends of the Keene Public Library, Monadnock United Way, the Keene School Board, Keene Academy Fund and many more.
We are proud to establish this annual award as a legacy left by Ken Jue in service to nonprofit organizations in our community and hope it inspires them to fully realize their respective mission statements with a collective effort to improve our shared community.
Windsor Brooks Business of the Year
Last Year’s Winner: SERVPRO of Cheshire County
Awarded annually to a regional business which is a member in good standing with the Greater Monadnock Collaborative
Named in honor of Windsor Brooks (1915-2002).
He brought an open mind to business. In the early 1980’s when some retailers were hunkering down at the prospect of competition from the Colony Mill Market place opening on west street. Mr. Brooks went out of his way to welcome the new shopping center, which he said should be regarded as part of the expanded downtown. He was the leader in considering businesses as ca collaborative to bring in more shoppers instead of competition.
Windsor Brooks embodied the concept of giving back to the community. Windsor came to Keene after WWII, and entered the family business, Goodnow’s Department Store on Main Street. He was one of the founders of Red Feather, now our Monadnock United Way. He also helped found the forerunner of today’s Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce. He was involved in many non-profits, including MFS and the hospital.
The first Windsor Brooks Business of the Year Award was presented in 2002 to Granite Bank.
Citizen of the year
Last Year’s Winner: Robert Englund
