Taking rhetoric to action

WORDS MATTER: Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO Neil D. Steinberg speaks to a Johnson & Wales University class on fundraising and philanthropy, potentially inspiring the next generation of donors and advocates. / PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY
WORDS MATTER: Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO Neil D. Steinberg speaks to a Johnson & Wales University class on fundraising and philanthropy, potentially inspiring the next generation of donors and advocates. / PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofits in Rhode Island, is no “caretaker” CEO. Under his direction, the foundation has become a proactive force in and for the state.

It continues to support a broad cross-section of organizations that address the state’s most pressing issues and needs. But under Steinberg’s leadership the foundation has targeted its focus on critical statewide issues of public education, economic security and quality health care. With this approach, it is, he said, “working more proactively with … our generous donors, our nonprofits … and general Rhode Island stakeholders” to assume a stronger civic leadership role.

And with assets of more than $810 million, that role is significant. The foundation had a record year in 2014, awarding more than $34.8 million in grants.

Steinberg’s leadership and the foundation’s financial support have made an impact on education, with Rhode Island’s adoption of a statewide education funding formula. A co-chair of the state’s Race to the Top Steering Committee, Steinberg realized success when Rhode Island won two federal education grants. In 2010, he led an initiative that raised $2.7 million to bring Teach For America here – a program through which top college graduates come to teach in public schools.

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The foundation’s “Make It Happen RI,” a 2012 initiative, brought together private-sector leaders to brainstorm ideas for economic growth. “Buy Local RI” and “Rhode Island: It’s All In Our Backyard,” championing state strengths, arose from Make It Happen.

Steinberg and U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse convened a group of health care leaders in 2014 to explore opportunities for delivery-system reforms. By convening such summits and making grants around these issues, Steinberg said, the foundation reinforces “our conscious decision to be a positive voice for … Rhode Island.”

Steinberg, who came onboard in 2008, is “a passionate voice for the nonprofit sector and for philanthropy,” wrote Jessica David, the foundation’s senior vice president of strategy and community investments, in her nomination. “He truly considers it his role … to inspire and encourage others to give.”

What’s his greatest challenge? “Time is finite,” he said, without hesitation, “and there’s a lot to do, whether in the community or [my] schedule.

“Yes, I have a sense of urgency,” he said, and “a desire to take rhetoric to action and to look forward and be positive.”

Time challenges haven’t kept Steinberg from serving on boards or mentoring others. A trustee of the Rhode Island Commodores and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, Steinberg serves on the Healthy Rhode Island Steering Committee. A former advisory committee member of the United Way of Rhode Island, Steinberg has held board positions with such diverse organizations as the Providence Foundation, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, the Providence Performing Arts Center and the Urban League.

Many organizations have recognized Steinberg for his contributions. Earlier this year, he received an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Bryant University.

Earlier in his career, Steinberg served as Brown University’s vice president for development and as Fleet Bank Rhode Island’s chairman and CEO.

Asked what he hopes his legacy will be, Steinberg said, “That I helped many other people help themselves and help … Rhode Island go forward.” •

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