In 100 years, the Rhode Island Foundation has gone from a white shoe- and parasol-set, passive grant-maker to an active participant in the public dialog about the state's civic and economic health. That change has made the foundation the most important nongovernmental statewide institution.
President and CEO Neil D. Steinberg leads the charge for the foundation, but in one sense, he is just continuing an evolution over the last four decades that has seen community foundations across the nation take more active roles in public policy and civic engagement. But make no mistake, Mr. Steinberg and company are charting new ground as well.
The foundation was well on its way to greater public relevance when three-and-a-half years ago it held the Make It Happen Rhode Island retreat. Mr. Steinberg challenged the business community and other private citizens to come up with an action plan to reinvigorate the state, something that at the time public officials did not seem to have any sense of urgency to create.
It's not just about individual efforts. Rather, the foundation said, we must collectively act, creating through collaboration a better community.
The foundation is using its centennial celebration, planned for June at Roger Williams Park, as an example of this approach. Along with the Champlin Foundations, the foundation is challenging the public to help it restore the park.
Some question if it is appropriate for a community foundation to be so overtly engaged. The truth is, the Ocean State is fortunate that the Rhode Island Foundation is just that. •