ALAN G. HASSENFELD learned at a very young age the importance of philanthropy and lending a helping hand to those in need.
In addition to providing financial assistance to various Rhode Island-based institutions, such as Hasbro Children’s Hospital, supporting the Bryant University Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership and the Brown University Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute, Hassenfeld – the director of the Providence-based charitable nonprofit Hassenfeld Family Foundation – has also offered global help to those in need.
In 2017, when Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, the foundation oversaw multiple humanitarian aid efforts to help the island recover. The second effort, called “Operation Potato Head by CG,” saw Hassenfeld team up with Spanish TV journalist Natalia Denegri to bring water, food, medical supplies and health care professionals to help the residents.
As of 2018, the Hassenfeld Family Foundation distributed $12 million to local organizations and reported about $150 million in assets.
Education has also been a big passion for Hassenfeld, who feels it is a key element in Rhode Island recovering from the devastation that the COVID-19 pandemic left in its wake. Hassenfeld previously told Providence Business News that the state has to make sure the curriculums taught at colleges and tech schools are proper for the current job market.
“It all starts with education … if you give people education or a skill to a job, they will be meaningfully employed,” Hassenfeld said.
