Henry Holden Received Joshua A. Nickerson Society Award

South Yarmouth— The Joshua A Nickerson Society recently announced that Henry (Hank) Holden of Chatham has received its honorary award for 2026 for his longstanding and extensive contributions to the Cape Community.

The Society was established in 1982 to commemorate Joshua A. Nickerson, who worked for the Nickerson Lumber Company for more than 50 years, retiring as chairman of the board in 1975.  Throughout his life, Nickerson played an integral part in the development and preservation of many local institutions, such as Cape Cod Hospital, Cape Playhouse, Cape Cod National Seashore, and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. In 2019, the Nickerson Society became a program of The Cape Cod Foundation.

Five local organizations who have benefited from Holden’s leadership, creativity, and dedication jointly nominated Holden for the honor, which is awarded to a citizen who exemplifies the spirit of Nickerson.  The nominating organizations are Cape Arts & Entertainment, Cape Cod Community College Educational Foundation, Cape Cod Healthcare, Monomoy Community Services and The Chatham Children’s Fund, and The Cape Cod Foundation.

Patricia Maquire Meservey, former Chair of The Cape Cod Foundation Board of Directors, said Hank’s “commitment to something bigger than himself” has been evident throughout his life.

Holden, a decorated fighter pilot, flew over 100 active combat missions in the United States Air Force, embodying the Air Force value of “Service Before Self.”

Holden served on The Cape Cod Foundation’s Board of Directors and Investment committee for years, helping lead the organization and raise millions in discretionary resources for community betterment.  His extensive career in the investment industry, where he retired as a Managing Director of Commonfund, and his passion for Cape Cod and its people, have been significant assets to the growth of the Foundation. Hank was also instrumental in the founding of The Chatham Fund, which has distributed over $500,000 to support the year-round Chatham community, and currently serves as Chair.

Theresa Malone, Executive Director of Monomoy Community Services said, “Some people talk about what needs to be done.  Hank actually gets the work done.”  Malone said, among his many contributions, Holden helped secure financial support for the organization’s Building Capital Campaign and inspired others to become involved in the project.

Mike Albaugh, President and CEO of Cape Arts & Entertainment, said, Holden’s work on the organization’s Board of Directors and Investment Committee “has been institution-first, thoughtful, and deeply supportive of our long-term sustainability and mission.”

Holden joined the Cape Cod Community College Educational Foundation Board of Directors in 2023 and was recently elected as Vice Chair for fiscal year 2027.  Sara Anton, CEO, said his appointment is “a testament to the respect and trust he has earned among his fellow board members.”

The nominating organizations credit Holden for his “countless hours, planning, brainstorming, fundraising, and community-building…Stated succinctly, it’s never about him; it’s always about community.”

More than 30 citizens who have made lasting contributions in the areas of conservation, arts, science, education, health, and democracy have received this award since its inception forty-plus decades ago.  Holden’s legacy spans most of those areas.

The Cape Cod Foundation is a community foundation whose mission is to build permanent charitable resources for community betterment through informed grantmaking and civic leadership. Founded in 1989, the organization celebrated its 35^th Anniversary in 2024. Since inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $115 million in scholarships to local students and grants to nonprofit organizations.

The Joshua A. Nickerson Society was established in 1982 to commemorate Joshua A. Nickerson, who worked for the Nickerson Lumber Company for more than 50 years, retiring as chairman of the board in 1975.  Throughout his life, Nickerson played an integral part in the development and preservation of many local institutions, such as Cape Cod Hospital, Cape Playhouse, Cape Cod National Seashore, and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. In 2019, the Nickerson Society became a program of The Cape Cod Foundation. Since inception, the honorary award has been presented to more than 30 citizens who, like Nickerson, have made lasting contributions to the Cape Cod region.