Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI)

RAFI is a family foundation, founded by the late Don Ramon Aboitiz. A well-respected businessman and philanthropist, he always held steadfast to his belief that family business could not be pursued apart from an active involvement in the communities in which it operated. In a letter to a friend in 1951, Don Ramon wrote that “…the dignity of man is best respected by helping him realize his hopes and by sharing with him the burdens of his fears…’ It is this guiding principle that lead to the establishment of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation in November 16, 1966.  RAFI then focused in providing support to various charitable organizations and vocational education.

The values of capacitating people, building institutions and assuring sustainability were kept alive through the work of his son Eduardo J. Aboitiz, who continued his father’s work and built on his legacy through the institutionalization and professionalization of RAFI. Don Eddie guided RAFI through its transition from a philanthropic organization to a development institution and increasingly focused on participatory development programs.

Today, RAFI is one of the most recognizable non-government organizations in the Visayas and Mindanao. It carries its mission and implements programs in a holistic manner, working in various aspects of human and societal needs. It provides the architecture of participation and facilitates the meeting of minds, bringing stakeholders from the government, civil society and business in the development and implementation of its programs and projects.

As a Foundation, RAFI continues to define and re-define its role in the community, making it attuned to development and striving to be always relevant. It maintains a sense of connectedness, a culture of excellence and service and passion to create a better future for all.