Attending the signing for the RIGHA Foundation Fund were (front, l to r) Karen Voci, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation; Lois Monteiro, RIGHA Foundation; Neil Steinberg, The Rhode Island Foundation; (back) Brian Drought, RIGHA Foundation; Owen Heleen, The Rhode Island Foundation; Earl Manz, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care; and Barry Preston, RIGHA Foundation.  

At an official signing earlier this week, The Rhode Island Foundation and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care announced that the RIGHA Foundation will transfer its grantmaking operations to The Rhode Island Foundation. The $1.6 million fund will become a permanent endowment supporting the Foundation's efforts to promote the development of a successful and effective primary health care system in the state.

"Supporting the development of a comprehensive primary care system for the state is a core strategic initiative for The Rhode Island Foundation. The new endowment will leverage the Foundation's ongoing efforts to make quality health care more accessible and affordable across the state. We are pleased that the collaboration with the RIGHA Foundation and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care will now be endowed permanently here to support primary health care in communities across the state," said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO, The Rhode Island Foundation.