More money is being poured into the Fund for Providence, thanks to local businesses and organizations.
The Fund for Providence, a fund established by the Rhode Island Foundation after Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline was elected in November, was designed to support new initiatives focused on “expanding” and “improving” city services including ProvStat, an accountability and tracking system to monitor the performance of city services.
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Last week, several businesses announced commitments to the fund, now at $600,000.
Citizens Financial Group donated a total of $125,000 to the fund, $100,000 of it was in corporate support and the remaining $25,000 was made in individual contributions from employees.
“Our executives will be available and are eager to work with the city to help in the implementation of three critical priorities identified in the Fund for Providence plan – technology, finance and human resources,” said Mark Formica, vice chairman of Citizens Financial Group. “We believe that the strength and future of the city lies in its ability to expand and grow existing businesses as well as attracting new ones.”
“The redesign of city government is fundamental to the goal of improving the quality of life for Providence residents,” said Cicilline. “The willingness of our business and charitable organizations to invest in this reform agenda signals a new day for Providence, and demonstrates the importance of working together to create public-private partnerships to meet our collective needs.”
Money was also donated by Fleet Bank, who announced a $100,000 gift to the fund. Pablo Rodriquez, chair of the Rhode Island Foundation, announced that the foundation is donating $40,000 to $100,000 to the fund.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation, a national foundation will equally match the $100,000 commitment, with other investments in Providence and Rhode Island.
