The Phyllis and Jerome Lyle Rappaport Foundation strives to create a widespread, ripple effect of positive change by enlarging the group of leaders who perform innovative, collaborative work in myriad disciplines throughout the Boston region.
Our Mission Statement
The Rappaport Foundation sponsors government and academic partnerships to improve public policy and its implementation, seeks research breakthroughs in neurologic and mental illnesses, and celebrates the creation of world-class contemporary art.
By fostering innovative alliances, the Foundation improves regional dialogue and connects thought leaders and practitioners in the ever-expanding Rappaport Fellow network. The Foundation encourages meaningful system-level change, strengthens leadership in our target areas, and offers models for others beyond the region.
Our Values
Our family foundation honors and is driven by the interests and passions of the founders, Phyllis and Jerome Lyle Rappaport. We pledge to meet the highest ethical and professional standards in all our organizational endeavors and hold our Foundation and our institutional partners accountable to our mission and to the public by:
Establishing integrity beyond reproach:
- Be accountable to each other, our mission, and our partners
- Treat our partners and colleagues with honesty, openness and respect
- Earn trust by building and retaining enduring relationships, being competent, and following through on our commitments
- Commitment to, and respect for, diversity
- Decisions without bias based on religious background, ethnicity, country of origin, sexual orientation, race, gender, gender identity, or disability status
Creating value through others:
- Select best partner grantees
- Attract other donors to partner with us to enlarge our pool of philanthropic resources
- Improve performance of our partners in any areas touched by our programs
- Advance the state of knowledge and practices in our partners’ fields
Respecting and being open to a variety of viewpoints and diversity of thought:
- Strive for an environment that encourages the Foundation to achieve our potential and values the contributions of all Board members, staff, and partners
- Role modeling and engaging in civil discourse, particularly with those who hold views with which we may disagree
- Support our partners in their quest to expand and strengthen the diversity of their workforce and boards
- Use a creative spirit and original thought in the pursuit of excellence
The Foundation will endeavor to reserve the right to reconsider its relationship with an institutional partner whose activities and/or practices are not in line with the Foundation’s values or that does not effectively pursue the goals and objectives of the agreed- upon programs.