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The Norman And Rosalie Fain Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.5M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.3M

The Norman And Rosalie Fain Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,528,667 (2023)
  • Grant Range: $1,500 - $250,000
  • Total Assets: $26,669,151 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 38 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Rhode Island (primary), Georgia, Massachusetts
  • Foundation Type: Private family foundation

Contact Details

Address: 505 Central Ave, Pawtucket, RI 02861-1945

Note: No public website, phone, or email available. This is a private family foundation that operates primarily through trustee discretion.

Overview

Established in 1964 and granted tax-exempt status in April 1967, The Norman And Rosalie Fain Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The foundation was created by Norman Fain, a Rhode Island business leader and philanthropist who received his undergraduate degree from URI in 1936 and an Honorary Doctor of Business degree in 1967. Norman Fain joined Teknor (later Teknor Apex) in 1936 and became chairman in 1968, expanding the company from a tire recapper to a leading plastics compounder. Following Norman's death in 2003 at age 89, the foundation continues under the leadership of his children: Jonathan D. Fain (who served as Teknor's president and CEO), Martha F. Roberts, and Wendy B. Fain, all of whom serve as unpaid trustees.

The foundation focuses on education, philanthropy, voluntarism, grantmaking, and human services, with particular emphasis on Jewish causes and Rhode Island institutions. The foundation is a major supporter of the Jewish community, contributing at the $100,000+ level annually to the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island's Community Campaign.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee discretion with no formal grant programs or application deadlines. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year as determined by the three family trustees.

Priority Areas

Education

  • Scholarship funds for tuition-based students
  • Music school financial assistance
  • Higher education institutions, particularly those with connections to the Fain family legacy
  • Jewish educational initiatives

Jewish Causes

  • Jewish federation and alliance organizations
  • Hillel foundations and campus Jewish life
  • Jewish community infrastructure
  • Annual community campaigns

Human Services

  • General mission support for service organizations
  • Community-based programs
  • Organizations serving Rhode Island communities

Geographic Priorities

  • Primary focus: Rhode Island
  • Secondary focus: Georgia and Massachusetts

What They Don't Fund

As a private family foundation with discretionary grantmaking, the foundation does not publish explicit exclusions. However, their giving pattern suggests focus on established institutions rather than:

  • Organizations outside their geographic focus areas
  • Organizations without connection to the family's interests
  • Start-up or newly established organizations
  • Organizations unrelated to education, Jewish causes, or human services

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Jonathan D. Fain (Trustee) - Son of Norman and Rosalie Fain; served as president and CEO of Teknor Apex in the early 1990s. At the 2008 announcement of the foundation's $1 million gift to URI Hillel, Jonathan stated: "We see this as a fitting tribute to our father and an opportunity to invest in the future of the Jewish community."

Martha F. Roberts (Trustee) - Daughter of Norman and Rosalie Fain

Wendy B. Fain (Trustee) - Family member

All three trustees serve without compensation, demonstrating their commitment to volunteer service in continuing the family's philanthropic legacy. The foundation operates with minimal administrative overhead, directing approximately 77% of annual expenses toward charitable grants.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Norman And Rosalie Fain Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation where grants are awarded at the discretion of the three family trustees. There is no application portal, published guidelines, or formal submission process.

Grants appear to be awarded through:

  • Pre-existing relationships with supported organizations
  • Trustee-initiated giving to causes aligned with family values
  • Ongoing commitments to organizations the family has historically supported
  • Invitations from organizations with which the trustees have personal connections

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded on a discretionary basis throughout the year as trustees identify worthy causes and organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's private, discretionary nature, organizations cannot directly apply for funding. However, understanding what the foundation values may help organizations position themselves for potential future consideration:

Historical Giving Patterns Show:

  • Strong preference for Jewish causes: The foundation consistently supports Jewish federations, Hillel organizations, and Jewish community infrastructure at the highest giving levels ($100,000+)
  • Family legacy connections: The $1 million gift to URI Hillel honored Norman Fain's connection to URI (class of 1936); organizations with connections to the Fain family history or business legacy may receive consideration
  • Education focus: Scholarships and tuition assistance, particularly for music education and higher education
  • Rhode Island institutions: Primary giving occurs within Rhode Island, reflecting the family's deep roots in the Pawtucket and broader Rhode Island community
  • Established organizations: Giving pattern favors well-established institutions with proven track records rather than new ventures

Family Values Reflected in Giving: As expressed by Jonathan Fain regarding the URI Hillel gift, the foundation seeks to "invest in the future of the Jewish community" while honoring the memory and values of Norman Fain, who served on boards of Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, and the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is not a target funder for unsolicited proposals - The foundation operates through trustee discretion without a public application process
  • Jewish causes receive priority funding - Annual gifts of $100,000+ to Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island demonstrate this commitment
  • Rhode Island focus is paramount - While the foundation gives in Georgia and Massachusetts, Rhode Island organizations receive the majority of funding
  • Family connections matter - Historical giving suggests relationship to the Fain family business (Teknor Apex), education (URI), or Rhode Island philanthropic community may be factors
  • Grant sizes vary significantly - From $1,500 to $250,000, suggesting both small ongoing commitments and major transformational gifts for special projects
  • Long-term relationships are key - Organizations appear to receive ongoing support year after year rather than one-time grants
  • Memorial giving is meaningful - The $1 million URI Hillel gift demonstrates that the foundation makes major gifts to honor Norman Fain's memory and values

References

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