RIF seeks to improve giving culture in Rhode Island

THE RHODE Island Foundation has unveiled a pilot program to boost charitable giving in the Ocean State. Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO, said the foundation is "testing an approach to encourage Rhode Islanders to tap in to their networks of family, friends and neighbors to participate in this collective form of philanthropy.” 
 / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION
THE RHODE Island Foundation has unveiled a pilot program to boost charitable giving in the Ocean State. Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO, said the foundation is "testing an approach to encourage Rhode Islanders to tap in to their networks of family, friends and neighbors to participate in this collective form of philanthropy.” / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, ranks 47th worst in the nation for giving and the Rhode Island Foundation wants to change that through a pilot program which aims to boost charitable giving in the smallest state in the union.

The Giving Circles initiative will feature up to six individual applicants, who portray leadership and interest and represent the state’s diversity, selected by the foundation to create a Giving Circle.

The applicant must be willing to commit one hour per week for one year to managing the Giving Circle.

After its establishment, the foundation will match up to $5,000 in donations made by up to six Giving Circles to Rhode Island-based, federally tax exempt nonprofit organizations.

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In addition to the matching grants, the foundation will offer recipients a communications and fundraising tool-kit, staff support and meeting space.

Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, said Monday that while giving is a personal decision, a decision to donate to charitable organizations and causes can often be precipitated by peer networks and other outside influences.

“That is why we’re testing an approach to encourage Rhode Islanders to tap in to their networks of family, friends and neighbors to participate in this collective form of philanthropy,” he added.

The state’s nonprofit organizations are “struggling to find funds to test new ideas, bring proven programs to scale or fully meet community needs,” said Steinberg. “Our goal is to build a culture of philanthropy here by increasing giving activity and engagement among more Rhode Islanders,” he said.

The application is available at rifoundation.org and the deadline to apply is Jan 31; if the pilot initiative is successful, the foundation may make the idea permanent.

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  1. This technique is called “giving by embarrassing people”; using peer networks to shame you into giving…It is using pressure to force people, esp. those who lost a COLA ,, cannot afford it, or want to privately contribute to their own causes.
    Steinberg says the agencies are struggling…well, pal, guess what? So are the people who have been hurt by the corrupt state government with high fees and taxes on everything. And why approx. 4100 people are moving out of here annually to a tax friendly and less cost of living state.