Papitto Opportunity Connection
About
The Papitto Opportunity Connection (POC) is a non-profit private foundation dedicated to listening and working together with non-profit organizations supporting diversity, equity and inclusion to empower and create individual success stories by investing in education, job skills training and entrepreneurial ventures.
Rhode Island is a state of 1-million people, and because of our size, we have a unique opportunity to accomplish our goals through aggressively funding unique and sometimes out-of-the-box programs. Operating on a model of trust-based philanthropy, we are constantly learning based upon active participation and engagement.
Making connections, eliminating barriers to success, and clearing pathways to learning are the guiding lights behind every investment POC makes. To truly matter, make an impact, and help create systemic change, the programs we support are those most needed and wanted.
Founded in December 2020, the Papitto Opportunity Connection was formed by Barbara Papitto as a continuation of the long-time commitment she and her late-husband Ralph have made to creating educational opportunities and supporting children impacted by systemic racial injustice in Rhode Island.
What They Do
education
Investing in innovative literacy and learning programs from kindergarten through graduate school.
skills training
Developing skills and enhancing talent through innovative and traditional apprenticeships and training programs.
entreprenuership
Funding creative risk, often for those who don’t qualify elsewhere, to give life to new ideas, businesses, and dreams.
How They Work
grant seekers
The Papitto Opportunity Connection provides support to non-profit organizations that promote diversity, equity and inclusion through unique and narrative changing programs that are designed to create success stories.
scholarships
The Papitto Opportunity Connection has at its’ roots a life-long commitment to education by Ralph and Barbara Papitto. In keeping with that commitment, we currently support two dedicated educational scholarships.