Donors
Who Gives? Bill Braden
Bill Braden approaches philanthropy with humility and intention, carrying forward a legacy that began with his parents’ commitment to giving. His mother, the late Lachlan Porter Braden, established a donor advised fund with the Catholic Communal Fund in New York City. When that organization closed in 2017, Bill brought the Porter Braden Fund to the Rhode Island Foundation, where he continues to honor his parents’ charitable vision while pursuing his own philanthropic interests.
Bill has expanded the fund’s scope to reflect both his parents’ values and his own strategic approach to giving, focusing on programs with enduring value and impact, particularly in education and micro-lending. His partnership with the Rhode Island Foundation has led to funding opportunities, like support for the Providence Revolving Fund, which provides crucial loans to small businesses. Bill’s commitment to understanding the organizations he supports – gaining familiarity with their work before investing – reflects his belief that wise giving requires both generosity and thoughtful consideration.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I’ve thought about happiness a lot. Happiness is a temporary thing. You get some good news, you’re happy. And you can get into a flow state, where you’re involved in something that’s pretty good, but I don’t think I would call that happiness. It’s hard to imagine heaven, as whatever you imagine doing there would get boring after a while.
What is your favorite place in Rhode Island?
The East Providence Bike Path. I used to rollerblade there until I broke my wrist back in 2018, but now I walk – since I realized my rollerblading days were over! I also used to windsurf at Sabin Point. It’s beautiful there.
What is the quality you most like in a person?
First and foremost: Goodness. Overall, I just like people who know what they’re talking about. It’s interesting: there’s a lot of research around the idea that you will decide within 30 seconds how likeable someone is – and you’re unlikely to change that opinion a year later. But other things, like deciding whether people are trustworthy, that’s not as easy. That takes time.
What do you appreciate/admire most about the Rhode Island Foundation?
I appreciate the fact that they take the time to tell me about possible opportunities for investment. One of the first funding opportunities that I was involved with was Teach for America. That was several years ago. I’ve since been involved in some other local projects. I really wouldn’t know as much about the needs in Rhode Island without the Foundation’s expertise. I’ve also maintained my parents’ intentions when giving from the Fund at the Foundation to honor their memory.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, who/what would it be?
I would probably vote for human. I feel like I have a privileged life and wouldn’t mind coming back to a similar position, financially comfortable, and blessed with a nice family. As to who to be, I didn’t choose who I am now, so it’s not a menu that I’ve been looking at.
What is your motto?
I do carry a few pieces of my mother’s advice from childhood floating in my head, like “Don’t force it.”
Who is the most generous person you know?
I don’t know that I can answer that. I think you have to know someone really, really well to know how generous they are. When you have money, it’s nice. When there are things you want, you’re able to buy them. But how much stuff are you going to buy? Another purpose of money is security – if something bad happens, like if there was an earthquake – we’d get through it. It would be miserable, but we would be fine. So, what are you going to do with this money? Giving it away is a satisfying way to spend it. There’s nothing that I can buy, even for substantial money, that’s going to make me happier.
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