RD Foundation started as a Charity Work of the Rivera Family in 1976 when they started their First Pawnshop.
As the pawnshop business expanded, the Rivera’s established RD Scholarship Foundation. They focused on supporting education of children of church leaders and Pastors.
In 2003, RD Foundation of General Santos was incorporated and registered with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Under the leadership of Mr. Rodrigo Rivera Jr., an active Rotarian, the scholarship program accommodated marginalized students from Mindanao State University. The Foundation also supported medical/dental missions and supplemental feeding programs.
A few years after, Mr. Ritche Rivera also a Rotarian took the helm of RD Foundation as its Vice Chairperson. With new drive and dynamism, he expanded the Foundation’s programs. The Scholarship Program was opened to indigenous peoples and Muslim students. Health and Social Services and other Sustainable Development projects were implemented. In 2006, Mr. Ritche Rivera, was awarded the Ernst & Young “Socially Responsible Entrepreneur” during the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
RD Foundation with its aim to professionalize and efficiently improve its service delivery to communities is currently undergoing institutionalization phase. The aim is to be more than just a Philanthropic institution but a development Foundation.
In 2007 – Mr. Karl Vincent Quiepo, the RD Foundation Executive Director, visited the Foundations sister companies, the RD Tuna Canners and RD Fishing in Madang, Papua New Guinea. He visited back in 2008 with Mr. Kernie D. Fanagel whom they assigned to start the RD Foundation PNG Office.
