Nearly one year after The Rhode Island Foundation’s Make It Happen Rhode Island event brought together more than 300 business leaders to brainstorm ways to jump-start the region’s economy, the foundation is considering what to do for an encore.
Having spent more than $800,000 of the $1 million that it allocated to support initiatives that came out of the two-day program, the foundation should be proud of what it has achieved.
The most recent product of its efforts is the “It’s All In Our Backyard” marketing campaign, designed to combat what many feel is a persistent negative self-image in the state that hinders economic growth as well as the ability to attract businesses and people here.
The campaign – which cost the foundation $150,000, its largest investment to come out of Make It Happen – celebrates success stories in the state, including Hope Global, a specialty textile manufacturer with customers around the world, while encouraging other individuals and businesses to add their stories to the campaign’s website.
The work of Make It Happen is not complete. But it has made a difference. •