Letter from the Chairman and the President
 In January 2010, we met with leaders of the other largest community foundations in the United States. From New York to Chicago to San Francisco, common themes and challenges emerged. At the top of everyone’s list is this critical question: how does a community foundation measure the impact of its work in the community?
The Rhode Island Foundation, at 94 years and counting, is determined to answer this question. In fact, we undertook a reflective journey in 2009 that led us to plant the notion of impact squarely in the midst of our newly stated strategic direction and focus.
Our journey involved looking outward, to the communities we serve, fellow Rhode Islanders who entrust us with their legacies, and the many partners who work with us to address the state’s most pressing challenges and, in the words of our mission, to meet the needs of the people of Rhode Island.
Where did our exploration lead us?
First, in response to thoughtful feedback from our nonprofit partners, we have focused and streamlined our grant policies and practices to more quickly and effectively respond to the needs of these hardworking organizations on the ground. This is a critical step at a critical time for our state and nation.
Second, we have moved to a more proactive fundraising model, to inspire philanthropy and to build additional permanent philanthropic capital so that we may continue to increase our grant investments in Rhode Island, again, in response to increased needs and to address the issues of the day. At the heart of this report you will read the moving stories of the generous donors who have established funds at the Foundation in the past year. We are honored that they have placed their trust in us.
Third, we have renewed our commitment to making strategic, thoughtful grants in six sectors: education, health, arts and culture, economic and community development, environment, and human services, with a special focus on signature initiatives in public education and primary healthcare, incorporating policy advocacy, fundraising, and leadership to leverage additional activities that will create positive change.
Consider what an attractive business climate our state would offer if we boasted a stellar system of public education – one where dedicated teachers effectively prepare eager young minds for higher education and the jobs of the future. Who would not wish to live in a state where there is universal access to primary care, widely acknowledged in the national healthcare reform debate to be the key to lowering costs, reducing emergency room visits, and controlling chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma? We believe that focusing increased Foundation resources in these two areas will help to leverage additional, necessary support, not only from Rhode Island partners, but also from national funders. And we have already begun to see results from our initial investments, as is evidenced in the stories found here on Teach For America and Rapid Access Rhode Island. At the Foundation, we anticipate when we can post signs welcoming people to our state, reading: “Rhode Island: Home of the Nation’s Best Public Schools” and, “Rhode Island: Home of the Nation’s Best Primary Healthcare.” We look forward to reporting progress on both of these important fronts in the years to come.
And finally, as we said at the outset, we are determined to measure, learn from, and share the impact of our efforts in every sector in order to better serve Rhode Island. While it is true that the Foundation made grants of more than $27 million in 2009, and that we invested more than $240 million in Rhode Island in the past decade, these statistics are meaningless unless we also endeavor to measure the ways in which our investments have catalyzed positive change, answering the question, what do these investments mean to the people of Rhode Island? We are committed to measuring and reporting the impact of our community investments and believe this is just as important as measuring and reporting the returns on our financial investments.
"The stories found here of our grantees, community partners in every sense, animate the Foundation’s work and point up the power of philanthropy in developing smart solutions to entrenched problems. Their passion, dedication, and innovative ideas improve the lives of all Rhode Islanders."
We have embraced this set of strategies to guide our actions and our approach as we look forward to our 100th anniversary in 2016. But we cannot do it alone. Partnerships – with individuals, organizations, and sectors – will be instrumental to any success we individually or collectively achieve with our philanthropy. Together, we can lead boldly by taking chances, bridging differences, facilitating difficult conversations and opening doors for the greater good of the community. We can encourage innovation, disseminate knowledge and convene and coordinate others to focus on the state’s highest priorities. The stories found here of our grantees, community partners in every sense, animate the Foundation’s work and point up the power of philanthropy in developing smart solutions to entrenched problems. Their passion, dedication, and innovative ideas improve the lives of all Rhode Islanders.
This is truly a good to great opportunity.
Rhode Island’s largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations achieving greater impact; attracting additional philanthropic dollars to provide sustainable funding and support specific strategic priorities while raising a more prominent, visible voice to champion solutions to the most pressing issues of the day. With our collective efforts to meet the needs of the people of Rhode Island, the smallest state will become the greatest state.
David M. Hirsch
Chairman
Neil D. Steinberg
President and Chief Executive Officer
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