INTRODUCING: The RICOWI Foundation, Inc. Funding for Industry Research

The RICOWI Foundation, Inc. has been officially recognized as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit. The Foundation's work of industry research is important to the future growth and direction of the building community which includes academia, industry, contractors, code officials, specifiers, insurers and general consumers. The Foundation is one of a very few organizations that provide such informative studies.

The mission of the RICOWI Foundation, Inc. is to enhance and promote research related to the performance of roofing products and systems. The Foundation was developed to help support the activities of the RICOWI Inc. organization and other industry research requests as a funding mechanism through which grants, special research projects and natural disaster event investigations might continue. The Foundation’s Executive Director, Joan Cook noted that the organization is excited to begin working with new industry partners, and supporting existing partner's research.

The roofing industry acknowledges there is no greater "think tank" of expertise in the country to tackle the issues of roof performance during extreme Weather Events. The RICOWI, Inc. website can provide you greater insight into the types of programs and avenues of research information that are envisioned, and will be a model of the expected extent of the research. While the Wind and Hail investigation programs are well recognized, the work in codes, best practices, and overall roof system performance are equally important to the building industry. Visit www.ricowi.com for more information.

The Foundation is actively seeking donations to fund the initial establishment of the Foundation. Additionally, calls for new research projects will be made as the funding is established. Contact Joan Cook at: foundation@ricowi.com or by phone: (330) 671-4569 for more information or to make a tax deductible donation.