Creativity and entrepreneurship brought the Hales and AFH together.

Creativity and entrepreneurship brought philanthropists Karen and Rob Hale and Artists For Humanity together, back in 2004 when AFH developed the first LEED Platinum Certified building in Boston. Karen and Rob wanted to hear all about it and they have been collaborating with AFH ever since! Both creativity and entrepreneurship are at the core of the Hale’s and AFH’s success and for this reason it became a partnership made to last. A long-time investor in Boston, the Hales have time and again shown their commitment to the arts and in particular AFH’s commitment to providing teens from under-resourced communities the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in art and design. In a recent interview with Forbes magazine, Rob shared that the driving force behind his philanthropy until today are the words of Maya Angelou,

This year, Karen and Rob Hale, through their family foundation, Fox Rock Foundation, generously donated $1 million to AFH in honor of our ability to consistently deliver our mission. Each week, enterprising teens show up to work at AFH, where they are asked to take on real responsibility, have a seat at the table and share their voice through the power of art and design. AFH projects enrich our teens, their families and the community at large by introducing young people's creativity to businesses and communities, forever changing the prospects for young people’s potential. Karen and Rob recognized the invaluable impact the AFH model has had on the young people of Boston, on the business community, and the City of Boston—world views are changed, and what seems impossible becomes a reality.

Rob has consistently supported our model of creative employment. He was instrumental in AFH’s recent design project with Connecticut College, in which AFH’s 3D Design Studio was commissioned to design and fabricate 21 bike racks for their college campus. Made of stainless steel, the collection “Bloom” was inspired by the College’s commitment to environmental stewardship both on and off the campus, and their efforts to promote biking as a sustainable mode of transport.

It takes courage to be an entrepreneur, to be committed to a mission and to share one’s creativity. And it is through these common values that AFH and Karen and Rob connected. AFH remains honored to be a part of Karen and Rob Hale’s philanthropic family.

Read the Forbes Magazine article on Boston Billionaire Rob Hale's giving.

About Fox Rock Foundation 

Fox Rock Foundation is the private family foundation established by Karen and Rob Hale and their adult children, Trevor, Thomas, and Brett, to inspire health in our communities and our environment, with more opportunity for all. Building on the philanthropy of the Hales and their businesses, Fox Rock Foundation supports a wide variety of organizations within four principal areas of giving: education, health and wellbeing, conservation, and equality.

The Foundation’s current focus is a series of grant partnerships with small and midsized nonprofits making a difference on a variety of causes in New England and beyond. Fox Rock Foundation builds on the philanthropy of Granite Telecommunications, where Rob is founder and CEO, Granite Gives Back, FoxRock Cares, and other personal giving by the Hales. Through a variety of giving channels, the Hale family has pledged or donated more than $300 million to a broad range of worthy causes.

If you would like to learn more about this announcement or request an interview with AFH, please contact Lorraine Johnson, Director of Creative Services and Communications at 617-286-7620 x220 or ljohnson@afhboston.org.