Rhode Island Foundation’s Matching-grant Challenge Raises $111,000 for Streamlining State Government

PROVIDENCE, RI – Seven companies are joining with the Rhode Island Foundation to give the state more than $100,000 to streamline state government and eliminate waste. The money will support Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s Lean Government Initiative.

 The companies contributed a total of $61,000 in response to a matching-grant challenge the Foundation issued earlier this year. Together with the maximum $50,000 match from the Foundation triggered by the donations, the state will receive $111,000.

 Amica, Corning , Groov-Pin, Hope Global, TACO, Taylor Box and Toray Plastics are the companies that responded to the Foundation’s matching-grant challenge with contributions.

 “We are committed to helping state government work better for all Rhode Islanders. Every one of these donors deserves our thanks for investing in creating a strong economy that will enable all Rhode Islanders to prosper,” said Neil Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO.

 The Foundation issued the matching-grant challenge to support Gov. Raimondo’s work fostering innovation across state government and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

 “The Lean Government Initiative give us the resources to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state government,” said Gov. Raimondo. “Rhode Islanders deserve a government that moves at the speed of business. By working together, we will develop better approaches, designed by our state employees, and provide dependable service to Rhode Islanders.”

 The Lean Government Initiative is based on a proven methodology used by the manufacturing industry to eliminate waste, reduce wait and processing times, and realize greater efficiency and cost reductions.

 Gov. Raimondo ordered process reviews for many key government services, including environmental permitting, professional licensing for healthcare workers and certification of minority-owned businesses. More than 350 state employees already have received Lean training and more than 20 agencies are participating in the effort. In addition, she has launched a mentorship program that teams private sector leaders with experience in Lean process improvement with members of her cabinet.

 The first company to respond to the Foundation’s challenge with a $10,000 donation was Groov-Pin. The Smithfield company, which is a precision manufacturer of industrial pins and threaded inserts for high-tech, aerospace and industrial uses, instituted Lean principles in 2009.

 “I know first-hand how effective Lean is. What used to take us 12 weeks to manufacture and ship to customers now takes just 20 days. Imagine the impact that applying Lean principles to state government will have on Rhode Island’s economy,” said Scot Jones, CEO of Groov-Pin.

 This is the Foundation’s third investment in streamlining state government. Through its Make It Happen economic development initiative, the Foundation also has awarded $50,000 to the state Office of Regulatory Reform to create a statewide electronic building and fire permitting system and $47,000 to the state Dept. of Environmental Management to create a permitting assistance center.

 The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island.   In 2014, the Foundation awarded $34.8 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit http://www.rifoundation.org

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