Well-known RI philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein dies at age 93

PROVIDENCE — You can hardly move around Rhode Island without seeing Alan Shawn Feinstein's mantra on numerous buildings and signs: “To improve one life is to improve the world.” It was more than a nine-word sentence. Feinstein was a firm believer that Rhode Island children were the key to a better world, and he continually invested time and, of course, money in that belief. Feinstein, the local philanthropist who donated millions to various causes — including his notable Feinstein Jr. Scholars program — died Sept. 7. He was 93. Feinstein, born in Dorchester, Mass., in 1931, began his professional career as a teacher. But according to a profile article on Feinstein by Rhode Island PBS, a financial guide written by Feinstein was presented to a doctor in India and eventually shared in newspapers around the world. Subscribers grew to “hundreds of thousands.” The article also noted that Feinstein sold demonetized currency abroad and offered customers a guarantee. According to the Rhode Island PBS segment, he mailed the items to customers before taking payment for them. “That brought in millions of dollars,” Feinstein said at the time. According to his obituary at Sugarman Sinai Memorial Chapel, after Feinstein made his fortune, he became concerned about world hunger. He believed no one should go hungry, and that led him to join Brown University's World Hunger Program after he retired from teaching. That eventually led to him founding the Feinstein Foundation in 1991, a Cranston-based nonprofit that recognizes and encourages children to do good deeds across the state and be kind “whenever possible.” To date, according to the foundation's website, more than 600,000 children have participated in the Feinstein Leadership School program and are recognized as Feinstein Jr. Scholars. The foundation and Feinstein's leadership and philanthropy helped establish more than 200 Feinstein Leadership Schools throughout Rhode Island. In 2023, the foundation distributed $1.7 million in various grants and donations, according to the organization's Form 990 filing. The foundation also helped establish the Feinstein College of Continuing Education and the Center for a Hunger Free America at the University of Rhode Island, the Feinstein Institute for Public Service at Providence College, the Feinstein School of Education and the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership at Rhode Island College, the Feinstein Enriching America Program at the New England Institute of Technology and other similar programs at local colleges. The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theater in Warwick is named after Feinstein's sister. In a post on X on Monday, Gov. Daniel J. McKee said Feinstein was a “change agent” who invested in the lives and futures of Rhode Island's children. “We will always remember him, not only for his impact on education, but for his kind and genuine heart,” McKee said.

The funeral service will be held on September 21 in the historic chapel at Swan Point Cemetery. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions in Feinstein's honor may be made to the Feinstein Foundation.

(UPDATED: Added 10th paragraph to include statement from Governor Daniel J. McKee.)

James Bessette is PBN's special projects editor and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You can reach him at [email protected]. You can also follow him on X at @James_Bessette.