Rhode Island Foundation celebrates centennial at 2016 annual meeting

The Rhode Island Foundation’s 2016 annual meeting, attended by more than 1,000 donors, community and business leaders Monday evening, marked the philanthropic organization’s centennial.
The Rhode Island Foundation’s 2016 annual meeting, attended by more than 1,000 donors, community and business leaders Monday evening, marked the philanthropic organization’s centennial.

(Updated 11:19 a.m.)
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Foundation’s 2016 annual meeting, attended by more than 1,000 donors, community and business leaders Monday evening, marked the philanthropic organization’s centennial – 100 years serving the Ocean State.

At the event Neil Steinberg, the foundation’s president and CEO, looked to the future.

“This is a night of celebration and appreciation,” he said. “The Rhode Island Foundation reflects Rhode Island; the needs, the challenges, opportunities and generosity. Together with our donors and nonprofit partners, we help shape Rhode Island – an awesome opportunity and responsibility.”

One of the centerpieces of this celebration is a $10 million campaign from the foundation to restore Roger Williams Park, which, among other items, will include repairs to the Temple to Music, the venue for Monday evening’s event.

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On June 13, 1916, the Rhode Island Foundation was established with a $10,000 gift from industrialist Jesse Metcalf.

Steinberg said Metcalf would be impressed with the foundation’s progress in a century, especially with the advances made toward blended learning in Rhode Island schools, patient-centered medical homes and high-tech workforce development.

While he said there were many successes to celebrate, Steinberg emphasized the need for long-term solutions to current issues faced by residents, including income disparity, drugs, affordable housing and educational achievement gaps.

Regarding future hurdles, Steinberg said: “There will always be needs, challenges, opportunities and issues of the day for the Rhode Island Foundation to embrace and support and lead. We plan to do that.”

Marie Langlois, the chair of the foundation’s Board of Directors, thanked Rhode Islanders for their generosity and continued support of the foundation.

“Together, we have accomplished a great deal for Rhode Island in the past 100 years. Undoubtedly, there are challenges and opportunities ahead, and we look forward to working with each and every one of you in the years to come,” she said.

Gov. Gina M. Raimondo, who was also in attendance, remarked on the foundation’s role as a civic leader in strengthening the statewide community.

She said: “Thanks to [the foundation’s] hard work, our state has made key strides towards improving our economy. They are a terrific partner and are dedicated to helping everyone make it in Rhode Island.”

As the largest funder of nonprofit organizations in the state, the Rhode Island Foundation, which focuses on economic security, educational success, healthy lives and inspiring philanthropy, has grown its assets to nearly $800 million over the past century. Since 2011 alone, the organization has awarded more than $165 million in grants in eight key sectors: arts and culture, basic human needs, children and families, education, economic security, environment, health and housing.

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