Please join us in congratulating SueEllen Kroll, director of grants and strategic partnerships, on her new position as program officer for arts and creativity at the Barr Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in New England.
As director of grants and strategic partnerships at the Council, SueEllen has been the standard bearer of grass-roots humanities in Rhode Island. Over 13 years, SueEllen broadened the horizons of the Council’s grantmaking, building a program that supports a wide variety of organizations to engage in humanities activities throughout the state. SueEllen helped to establish the core values of the Council’s grant program–to develop the capabilities of grantees, to reach diverse audiences, to make connections to scholars, partners and other resources, and to encourage innovative practices and potential models.
SueEllen also has been a leader in bringing together cultural organizations and humanities councils nationally to share perspectives and practices as well as data and information. As director of strategic partnerships, SueEllen helped to launch projects like Rhode Tour, the smartphone app for Rhode Island stories. Through the Catalyzing Newport initiative, SueEllen created a new model for humanities facilitation that has strengthened the community and culture and encouraged civic dialogue on pressing issues for the city.
SueEllen writes, “Over the past several years, I have really found a new focus for my passion for the humanities to broaden civic engagement in local communities. I have sincerely valued the work in Newport and the Council’s leadership to see this as a great chance to become more adaptive and relevant in the sector. I have grown tremendously-both professionally and personally-in my 13 years at RICH. I will miss my job here and the incredible people I have had the pleasure of working with throughout the years.”
SueEllen leaves the grantmaking program in a strong position, with Program Officer Logan Hinderliter at the helm. For any questions regarding the Council’s grantmaking program, please contact Logan directly at logan@rihumanities.org or by calling the office.
We wish SueEllen well and know she will continue to be a leader in cultural grantmaking in New England. Her last day at the Humanities Council is Friday, July 7.
Catalyzing Culture Fund
In recognition of Sue Ellen Kroll’s 13 years of service to the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities and her tireless efforts to spark meaningful, forward-thinking public humanities, the Council’s board has established the Catalyzing Culture Fund.
Gifts made in Sue Ellen’s honor to the the Catalyzing Culture Fund will support the model of social practice public humanities that SueEllen has developed. Please note “Catalyzing Culture Fund” in the dedication field when making a donation online or in the memo of a check. If you have any questions or would like to make a gift over the phone, please contact Rachael Jeffers at rachael@rihumanities.org or 401-273-2250.
