Donors
A Rhode Island couple comes back and gives back
"We feel there are a lot of needs in the state that we aren’t aware of. I did a lot of investigating of organizations that we could work with, and I found a natural fit with the Rhode Island Foundation." - Mark Mancini
Mark, who with his wife Pam became a philanthropic partner of the Foundation in 2018, continues. “We’re here to be educated as well as to act."
“The Foundation is about finding solutions, and its three primary areas of focus – education, economic security, and health – mesh well with what we’re interested in."
- Pam Mancini
Mark and Pam grew up in Providence and both graduated from Classical High School and Rhode Island College. Pam earned a master of public administration degree from Syracuse University, while Mark continued his education at New York University where he earned a master of business administration degree.
Their careers have taken them to Washington, DC, New York City, and Hong Kong. After returning from Hong Kong in 2012, their primary residence has been New York City where Mark helped found Ergoteles Capital, an investment management firm; he currently serves as its chief operating officer.
Their roots, however, are in Rhode Island. “This is where we grew up, where we went to school, and where we have lifelong friends. Our emotional ties and history are with Rhode Island; it’s our home,” Mark explains from the Barrington home they purchased from his mother.
They are staunch supporters of Rhode Island College, with Pam serving as a long-time member and current secretary of the Rhode Island College Foundation board of directors and Mark assisting with fundraising and searches for college deans. The couple established a scholarship fund at RIC in 2001.
Pam especially appreciates hands-on volunteering and philanthropy. She has volunteered for many years with the American Red Cross, serving as a disaster services volunteer, and was active in the schools when their children, now 21 and 23 years old, were younger.
“We want to get more engaged in the Rhode Island community, and we know the Foundation can help us to do that. It has a great understanding of the needs of the state and can help us have the greatest impact," Mark states.
"The Foundation’s Civic Leadership Fund is important to me. I believe you need the opportunity to study a problem, investigate it, and look at the challenges and assumptions before you act. The Civic Leadership Fund gives the Foundation and its donors the opportunity to do that."
- Mark Mancini
Through their donor advised fund, the Mancinis have chosen to support the Civic Leadership Fund, as well as the Fund for Rhode Island. Of the latter, Mark says, “I understand the importance of unrestricted funds which allow the Foundation to do what it thinks is best for the state. The Foundation is forward-thinking and looking for solutions to the state’s bigger challenges.”
“We want to do more than just give dollars. We want to have an impact that will give people hope and change lives. The Rhode Island Foundation will help us to become better educated and will be our guide. There’s a brilliant quote from Mr. Rogers, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ Rhode Island Foundation is one of those helpers,” Pam concludes.
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