A Giving Tuesday conversation about generosity, educational freedom, and building a stronger New Hampshire.
When Manchester business owner Ron Boufford, founder of Global Coin Exchange and the Global Real Estate Companies, talks about why he supports educational freedom, he does not start with policy debates or statistics. He starts with his grandchildren.
Ron first learned about the Children’s Scholarship Fund New Hampshire (CSFNH) when his grandchildren became CSFNH scholars at Saint Francis School in Litchfield. Seeing them thrive in a school that truly fit them changed the way he thought about education for every child in New Hampshire. “I saw the difference it made in their lives,” he said. “Their character, their motivation, their excitement to learn – it all grew because their parents could choose the right place for them.”
That personal experience is what ultimately pulled him deeper into CSFNH’s mission.
A charitable life with a new focus
Ron has donated to many causes over the years. Giving back is something he sees as a basic responsibility. But when he saw how much education freedom helped his own family, and how many families across the state were benefiting, he felt called to support this work directly.
Last year, he contributed to CSFNH through the Education Tax Credit Scholarship Program after hearing student stories and watching how his grandchildren were flourishing. “It is simple,” he said. “I believe in giving families more options.” Educational freedom, for him, brings together what he cares about most: strong families, strong communities, and opportunities that reflect a child’s individual needs.
Education freedom as an investment in character and community
When Ron describes educational freedom, he focuses on what he sees in the students themselves: polite, confident, curious kids who enjoy school and take pride in their work. He believes those qualities come from being in an environment that fits who they are and how they learn.
At Saint Francis, he sees students who are respectful, motivated, and eager to grow. “That is the difference the right school can make,” he said. “Kids who are motivated, who enjoy learning, and who carry themselves well.”
He also believes the impact reaches far beyond individual children. Strong schools, he says, make for stronger communities. When families have options, they choose places where their kids can succeed, and that success spreads through families, neighborhoods, and even the broader culture of the state. As he put it, “When one child finds the place where they can really grow, it spreads. It changes them, and it changes the people around them too.”
Trust built on simplicity and stewardship
During a recent visit to CSFNH, Ron was struck by how straightforward and modest the office and operations were. “I walked in and thought, ‘This is it? This is where all that work gets done?’” he said with a laugh. But the simplicity reassured him.
Seeing how lean the organization is, and how much gets accomplished with such a small footprint, strengthened his trust. “When you see an organization doing a lot with a little, you want to help them do more,” he said.
“Freedom to Flourish” feels personal
This year’s theme, Freedom to Flourish, immediately resonated with Ron because he has watched his grandchildren flourish with educational choice. To him, the phrase captures what he wants for every child in the state.
“Freedom to flourish” means giving every young person the chance to discover their strengths in a place where they feel supported and inspired. It means giving parents real choices. It means building communities where the next generation can grow into confident, capable adults. Supporting educational freedom, he believes, is one of the most meaningful investments anyone can make in New Hampshire’s long-term future.
In one sentence: “I give because…”
As our conversation wrapped up, Ron summed up his commitment with a single sentence that reflects everything he shared:
“I give because every child deserves the chance to thrive.”
Help New Hampshire students find the school where they can truly thrive. Your gift today fuels more scholarships, strengthens families, and opens doors for the next generation.
