About Us
Advancing URI
University of Rhode Island Foundation & Alumni Engagement (URIFAE) secures and manages contributions from alumni, parents, corporations, foundations, and friends on behalf of the University of Rhode Island, engages alumni through programming and communication, and establishes collaborative relationships with companies to encourage access to University resources through the Business Engagement Center.
New commitments combine with distributions from the endowment (managed by URIFAE) to provide the University with funding for scholarships, faculty, academic programs, and new initiatives to enrich the URI experience. We are grateful to the individuals and organizations whose generosity advances the University’s commitment to excellence, diversity, and innovation.
URIFAE President Lil Breul O’Rourke leads these efforts under the guidance of a volunteer Board of Directors and in concert with University leadership.
Our Mission
The mission of the organization is to inspire and steward philanthropic support benefiting URI and to inform and engage alumni as committed partners of the University, its mission, and traditions. In all its activities, URIFAE strives for core values of transparency, integrity, collaboration, accountability, and respect.
Our Vision
We aspire to be a leader in university development in order to further the University of Rhode Island’s pursuit of excellence.
Our History
The University of Rhode Island Foundation was established in 1957 and serves URI as an independent 501(c)(3) corporation charged with raising and managing private support for the University. With an original charge of managing the University’s endowment, the Foundation became responsible for all URI fundraising activities on January 1, 2008.
On July 1, 2019, the Foundation joined with the URI Alumni Association, which had been incorporated in 1932, to become URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement and better serve the University and alumni.
What We Do
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Whether someone has recently graduated or celebrated their 50th reunion, they will always be part of the vibrant community of URI alumni around the globe. The alumni engagement team keeps alumni connected by providing career services, networking opportunities, access to lectures, and more.
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We secure, manage, and steward philanthropic contributions of all sizes to help URI grow and develop in pursuit of its mission as a state flagship research university.
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URIFAE staff, the board of directors, and a volunteer-run investment of committee work diligently to manage the more than 1,100 funds that make up the URI endowment. Endowment returns support the areas of greatest importance to our alumni and friends and provide essential resources to the University each year.
