June 4, 2024 – Melissa Wong joined the RI Humanities team in February 2021 and has been an invaluable member of the Grants & Humanities Initiatives team ever since. During her time at RI Humanities, Melissa has supported all aspects of our grantmaking program, including the recent THRIVE grants for general operating support and other organizational initiatives such as our recent Strategic Plan and DEIA Action Plan, the award winning 2022 RI Civic Health Index, and 50Fest in October 2023. This month, Melissa will conclude her time at RI Humanities and transition to a new role as a Grants Associate at Borealis Philanthropy, a social justice philanthropic intermediary which works collaboratively with multiple foundations to enhance collective impact within and between movements across the country. Visit the Borealis website to learn more about their work. Melissa’s leadership, tremendous capabilities, and generosity of spirit will be truly missed by all of us at RI Humanities and by our grantees and partners. Read on for her reflections about her time at the organization.
What attracted you to RI Humanities in the first place and what have you found rewarding about your role?
Without knowing much about the public humanities or cultural sector in Rhode Island when I first joined, the mission of RI Humanities, “by and for all Rhode Islanders,” deeply resonated with me. I wanted to make a meaningful impact on my local community and contribute to the cultural landscape. Joining RI Humanities provided the perfect opportunity to align my professional efforts with my desire to support and uplift my neighbors. Over the past three years, this mission, “to seed, support and strengthen” the public humanities in Rhode Island has given me a steadfast sense of purpose.
During my time at RI Humanities, I’ve witnessed incredible changes to our grant programs, including providing general operating support that fosters diverse cultural, historical, and community engagement initiatives across the state. The most rewarding aspect of my role has come from collaborating with passionate individuals and organizations dedicated to enriching our community. These interactions have deepened my appreciation for and knowledge of the humanities. Additionally, working within a team of talented, supportive colleagues has made my experience even more fulfilling, reinforcing my passion to make a meaningful impact on the community I now call home.
In your role as Grants & Humanities Initiatives Coordinator, how have you seen RI Humanities make an impact on Rhode Islanders &/or the cultural sector as a whole?
Because I started at RI Humanities during the pandemic, one of my first responsibilities in this role was working on our CARES Act general operating support grants and project grants. Through working with these grantees, I gained foundational knowledge of Rhode Island’s cultural sector and understanding of what we stood to lose without supporting humanities and cultural practitioners and organizations during and coming out of the pandemic. This early experience highlighted the essential role of RI Humanities in preserving and nurturing the cultural fabric of our community during a time of uncertainty and unprecedented challenge.
Through our grantmaking programs, which are my primary focus at RI Humanities, I’ve witnessed firsthand our organization-wide goal of supporting and strengthening Rhode Island’s vibrant and evolving cultural sector. I’ve seen this support manifest in significant ways, such as creating and implementing general operating support programs like the RI CHARG program in collaboration with RISCA, and our new THRIVE grant program. Additionally, I’ve observed the smaller, yet equally impactful actions our team takes daily to bolster the cultural sector. This includes making introductions between humanities organizations and practitioners, answering queries about our grant programs, and adding community events to our eNews and calendar. These efforts are inspired by our intentions of centering and championing community voices and reinforcing our commitment to ensuring resilience and vibrancy of the cultural landscape.
Have you seen RI Humanities evolve over the past few years and if so, how does that translate to work with grantees?
The staff at RI Humanities continually leave me in awe and I frequently think of our small organization as one that “punches above its weight.” In terms of evolution, since joining RI Humanities in 2021, I’ve witnessed our team work towards bringing our vision and values to life and incorporating them into everything we do. With the sharing of our DEIA Action Plan and new Strategic Plan, we as an organization have stepped into the role we believe RI Humanities serves in the cultural sector. These public-facing guiding documents have not only provided us with a clear direction, but also reinforced our commitment to inclusivity and equitable practices within the humanities.
Through our values of collaboration, community, and relevance, we have seen a tangible evolution in how we work with our grantees. By fostering deeper partnerships and open dialogues, we work towards ensuring that our grant programs are responsive to the needs of the community. This evolution translates into a more resilient and interconnected cultural sector, where grantees feel supported not just financially, but also as integral members of a thriving community dedicated to the humanities.
Are there lessons from your time at RI Humanities that will impact your next role?
Honestly, countless lessons! One overarching lesson for me is I’m solely interested in work that seeks to positively impact the lives of others. Through working with applicants, grantees, our Board, staff, and community reviewers, I’ve found purpose in knowing that my role is to facilitate our grant programs, but the real champions of public humanities work are the community of practitioners and organizations that continue to uncover, illuminate, and grapple with our past to inform our future as a state and a society. The humanities researchers, educators, and cultural advocates I’ve had the privilege to work with inspire me daily with their dedication and passion. This experience has solidified my commitment and passion for supporting initiatives that foster community engagement, education, and cultural enrichment.
Another invaluable lesson I’ve learned at RI Humanities is the importance of collaboration and inclusivity. Our work thrives on the collective efforts of diverse voices and perspectives, and I’ve seen firsthand, through working on 50Fest and the aspects of the 2022 RI Civic Health Index, how powerful it is when a community comes together to support a common goal. This understanding will undoubtedly influence my next role, as I will carry these principles of fostering partnerships, embracing diverse viewpoints, and ensuring that every project I’m involved in is inclusive and community-driven. The success of RI Humanities in strengthening the cultural sector through collaborative efforts has shown me that lasting impact is achieved not through individual efforts, but through the shared dedication and passion of a united community.
What are you most excited about for the year to come?
While I will greatly miss RI Humanities, I’m looking forward to continuing my career journey in grantmaking and philanthropy in the year to come. I’m also not leaving Rhode Island, so I look forward to continuing to support RI Humanities events, initiatives, and grantees!
I’m also (finally!) learning how to ride a bike, so I’m looking forward to being able to finally explore some beautiful bike paths in Rhode Island!
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Melissa’s last day at RI Humanities is June 6, 2024. If you would like to share well wishes, please direct them to rachael@rihumanities.org and we will ensure they reach her promptly.
