Throughout history and in every community, a small
band of individuals envisions society as it might yet be, not as it is,
and is willing to take “the road less traveled” to create community
change. So, too, has The Fund for Community Progress forged a new path to
democratize philanthropy in Rhode Island.
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The Fund was the first network of grassroots agencies to describe the needs particular to low-budget, community-based agencies to workplace donors.
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The Fund was the first fundraising network to expand the concept of charity to include advocacy.
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The Fund was the first fundraising network to model collaboration by having the executive directors of its member agencies share decision-making and donations equitably.
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The Fund opened the Rhode Island State Employees Combined Appeal to hundreds of worthy nonprofits.
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The Fund was the catalyst for The Rhode Island Foundation to establish its first socially responsive equity portfolio, thus challenging philanthropists to screen their charitable investments.
In these instances The Fund was not always met with
community acceptance. But, today, these changes are widely embraced by our
community.
All it takes is a few dedicated, hard-working visionaries and many willing supporters to build a better community for all Rhode Islanders.