In 2016, the Rhode Island Foundation celebrated its centennial – 100 years supporting Rhode Islanders and their diverse communities through grants, fundraising and leadership.
Established with a $10,000 gift in 1916, over the decades the foundation grew the initial investment to nearly $800 million, and since 2011 it has awarded more than $165 million in grants.
Rhode Island's Market Has Changed. Developers, Builders, Investors and Sellers Must Change With It.
By Emilio DiSpirito IV License Partner | Engel & Völkers Oceanside Leader | The DiSpirito…
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In a nod to its centennial celebration, the Rhode Island Foundation awarded $500,000 in Centennial Community Grants to 43 projects across all 39 Rhode Island cities and towns.
Of the anniversary grants, Neil D. Steinberg, the foundation’s president and CEO, said in a statement: “Our work would not be possible but for the visionaries who came before us, the donors who generously invest in Rhode Island and the community leaders who convert the resources into action.”
In April, Raymond “Two Hawks” Watson received an Innovation Fellowship from the foundation, an honor which carries a three-year, $300,000 grant made possible by philanthropists John and Letitia Carter, for his Providence Cultural Equity Initiative, which pushes for tourism in the capital city to highlight local cultural diversity.
The foundation made grants totaling $350,000 in November to The Providence Center, Amos House and Crossroads Rhode Island to further social-services outreach in Kennedy Plaza and Burnside Park. Panhandling and an abundant homeless population there have become the center of a conversation among city officials and businesses looking to connect those in need with available services.
Child & Family is also celebrating a milestone anniversary, 150 years, as it determines how to apply national best practices on strengthening and empowering families and communities in Rhode Island, what CEO Marty Sinnott called a “siloed” and “parochial” atmosphere.
Alex and Ani LLC’s 5-year-old Charity by Design initiative passed the $30 million mark and committed to a new target of raising $2 million over two years to support UNICEF’s post-emergency operations and its efforts in conflict zones delivering food, clean water and medicine and supporting peace-building initiatives.
United Way of Rhode Island had a successful year after the launch of its three-year, $12 million “Live United 2020” campaign, which saw $3.1 million in grants awarded to 41 programs addressing affordable housing, financial stability and education initiatives.
Providence-based domestic violence awareness agency Sojourner House received national attention when the New England Patriots Community Foundation awarded it a $100,000 grant to support its transitional housing program.
New faces emerged in the philanthropy community in 2016, as Anthony Hollingshead, president of Swan Point Cemetery, was named president of the Rotary Club of Providence; Andrew Bramson was named president and CEO of The College Crusade of Rhode Island, replacing Todd Flaherty, who retired after leading the organization for seven years; and Katje Afonseca was promoted from director of development to executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island.
And, after eight years as executive director of Serve Rhode Island, Bernie Beaudreau left the organization in the spring to head the Connecticut Food Bank as CEO. Nancy Stetter, the director of finance, has been serving as the interim executive director. •
