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The Roger J. Bertrand Scholarship Fund represents a visionary gift that helps open doors for students seeking a Catholic education in Rhode Island. Established through a trust created by the late Roger Bertrand, the fund began assisting K-12 students and their families to afford parochial school tuition after Roger’s passing in 2015. Now, this important legacy continues under the stewardship of the Rhode Island Foundation, ensuring that Roger's commitment to supporting young learners will continue to benefit future generations.

Roger Bertrand was a self-made businessman who owned a small paint and hardware store in West Warwick. Though he never married or had children of his own, Roger had a profound desire to help young people access the Catholic education he had received in his youth.  

"He was a quiet philanthropist," recalls Normand Plante, trustee of Roger's estate and longtime friend since their school days together. "He was the kind of guy who would never sit in the front row at church – he was the one in the back row."  

Roger's life was marked by curiosity and adventure. An avid traveler, he explored France, China, Turkey, Greece, and even mined for gold in South Africa. Rather than luxury hotels, he preferred to stay with local families, forging lasting friendships through these cultural connections. He often shared his travel adventures with grade school children, inspiring their own curiosity about the world.

The transition to the Rhode Island Foundation marks a new chapter for the fund. As both stockbroker and friend, Normand faithfully managed the scholarship from its inception. "Administrating a scholarship fund is a lot of work," explains Normand, who found great personal satisfaction in his role. However, as time passed, he recognized the need to ensure the fund's long-term sustainability. To that end, the trust identified the Rhode Island Foundation, known for its expertise in managing scholarships for Rhode Islanders, as an alternative home for Roger’s legacy.

"Now it's time to pack it in," says Normand. "The Rhode Island Foundation is well positioned to help. It will live on in perpetuity, where I don't!"