Help Wanted: Seeking individuals with ambitious ideas for Rhode Island

New Rhode Island Innovation Fellowship will award $100k/year for three years to solve challenges within Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Foundation today announced the Rhode Island Innovation Fellowship, a new, annual program designed to stimulate solutions by Rhode Islanders to Rhode Island challenges. Made possible through the generosity of philanthropists Letitia and John Carter, the Fellowship will provide seed funding for ideas designed to reap community benefit.

Beginning in 2012, Rhode Island Innovation Fellowships will be awarded to two individuals. The fellowship provides $100,000 a year for up to three years to develop, test, and implement innovative ideas that have the potential to dramatically improve any area of life in Rhode Island.

"Letitia and John Carters' commitment to Rhode Island is unparalleled," said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. "This Fellowship is about Rhode Island reaching its true potential. To our knowledge, nothing like this has ever been tried in our state. It's new territory but we are convinced that risk taking will be essential and failure is infinitely better than not trying."

"There is no monopoly on creative thinking, exceptional ideas, or the potential of people to help solve issues affecting the lives of Rhode Islanders. Letitia and I wanted to provide a platform for change - one in which everyone is invited to participate. We believe The Rhode Island Foundation is the ideal organization to carry forward our dreams for Rhode Island's future and we are excited to embark on this adventure together," said John Carter.

Fellows will be selected by a panel of seven Rhode Island leaders:

• David Dooley, President, University of Rhode Island
• Ann-Marie Harrington, President & Founder, Embolden
• Charlie Kroll, Founder, President & CEO, Andera
• Marie Langlois, Retired Managing Director, Washington Trust Investors
• John Maeda, President, Rhode Island School of Design
• Navyn Salem, Executive Director, Edesia, Inc.
• Neil Steinberg, President & CEO, Rhode Island Foundation, Chair

To learn more about the Rhode Island Innovation Fellowships, including the timeline, guidelines, and application process, please visit www.rifoundation.org/innovation.