The Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund found its inception in the closing of Park Tower high rise in 1998. The foundations primarily goal was to support low-income housing. Twelve years later, Don Barbieri and his partner, Sharon Smith, expanded the organization using their own wealth, growing it to $2.6 million. Since then, donations from private contributors and their own investment has grown the fund to about $7 million in assets.
As of last year, the organization made $360,000 worth of grants available to thirty six service providers, a result of allowing donors to have their money go to a cause or group of their choice. Although the name may imply it, Smith says that their fund isn't political. The progressive simply means that their decisions are based on such values. Ultimately, the fund plans to address poverty, informing, and housing.
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