PROVIDENCE – It is hard to go around Rhode Island and not see Alan Shawn Feinstein’s mantra noted across multiple buildings and signs: “To better one life is to better the world.”
It was more than a nine-word phrase. Feinstein firmly believed that children living in Rhode Island held the key to making the world a better place, and he continuously invested in that belief both with time and, of course, money.
Feinstein, the local philanthropist who contributed millions to various causes – including his noteworthy Feinstein Jr. Scholars program – died Sept. 7. He was 93.
Feinstein, born in Dorchester, Mass., in 1931, saw his professional career start in teaching. But, according to a profile piece on Feinstein by Rhode Island PBS, a financial guide Feinstein wrote was introduced to a doctor in India and it was eventually shared in newspapers all over the world. The subscription base grew into the “hundreds of thousands.”
The piece also noted Feinstein sold overseas demonetized currency and offered customers a guarantee. He, per the Rhode Island PBS piece, would send out the items to customers before accepting payment for them. “That brought in millions of dollars,” Feinstein said at the time.
Per his obituary from the Sugarman Sinai Memorial Chapel, Feinstein after gaining his fortune became concerned about world hunger, believing that no one should go hungry and led to his association with Brown University’s World Hunger Program after retiring from teaching. That eventually led to him forming in 1991 The Feinstein Foundation, a Cranston-based nonprofit to both recognize and encourage children to perform good deeds across the state and be kind “whenever possible.”
To date, according to the foundation’s website, there are more than 600,000 children who have participated in the Feinstein Leadership school program and are recognized as Feinstein Jr. Scholars. The foundation and Feinstein’s leadership and philanthropy helped create more than 200 Feinstein Leadership Schools across Rhode Island.
In 2023, the foundation distributed $1.7 million in various grants and contributions, according to the organization’s 990 form.
The foundation also helped establish the Feinstein College of Continuing Education and Center for a Hunger Free America at the University of Rhode Island, the Feinstein Institute for Public Service at Providence College, the Feinstein School of Education and Institute for Philanthropic Leadership at Rhode Island College, the Feinstein Enriching America Program at the New England Institute of Technology, and other similar programs at local colleges. The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre in Warwick is named after Feinstein’s sister.
In a post on X on Monday, Gov. Daniel J. McKee said Feinstein
was a “change agent” who invested in the lives and futures of Rhode Island's children. “We will always remember him, not just for his impact on education but for his kind and full heart,” McKee said.
Services will be held Sept. 21 at the Historic Chapel in Swan Point Cemetery. Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions in Feinstein’s honor can be made to
The Feinstein Foundation.
(UPDATED: Added 10th paragraph to include statement from Gov. Daniel J. McKee.)
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on X at @James_Bessette.
