R.I. Foundation awards $17.2M in grants in first half of ’15

THE RHODE Island Foundation said Monday that it awarded $17.2 million in grants to fund dozens of programs serving Rhode Islanders throughout the state in the first half of 2015.
THE RHODE Island Foundation said Monday that it awarded $17.2 million in grants to fund dozens of programs serving Rhode Islanders throughout the state in the first half of 2015.

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Foundation said Monday that it awarded $17.2 million in grants to fund dozens of programs serving Rhode Islanders throughout the state in the first half of 2015 – the highest amount in recent years.

“We align the dreams of our donors with solutions to the challenges Rhode Island faces. By supporting innovation, collaboration and leadership, we make it possible for nonprofits to achieve the changes that are vital as the state moves forward,” Neil D. Steinberg, the foundation’s president and CEO, said in a statement.

Dozens of nonprofits received grants through the foundation’s competitive strategy grant program, which targets seven key sectors: arts and culture, children and families, education, economic security, the environment, health and housing.

“From supporting the state’s vibrant arts and culture sector to making investments in work that guides Rhode Island’s planning for climate change, our grants focus on the issues that will drive our future,” Jenny Pereira, director of grant programs, said.

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Key strategy grants from the first half of 2015 are:

  • The College Crusade: $125,000 to support its work preparing nearly 4,000 low-income middle school and high school students in Central Falls, Cranston, Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket for college and careers.
  • The Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island: $40,000 in support of Rhode Island Voices for Better Health, an ongoing collaborative initiative with the Rhode Island Organizing Project and the Economic Progress Institute. The project is working with state officials, medical providers and health insurers to ensure that seniors and adults with disabilities are receiving appropriate and coordinated health care and the long-term services and supports they may need to live safely in their communities.
  • The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre in Pawtucket: $70,000 for its Pawtucket Literacy and Arts for Youth (PLAY) program.

Dozens of other nonprofits received discretionary grants, including:

  • More than $57,000 to organizations that serve the LGBTQ communities including Youth Pride, Family Service of Rhode Island and the Thundermist Health Center through the Equity Action Fund.
  • More than $200,000 to Newport County nonprofits, including the Boys and Girls Club of Newport County, East Bay Community Action Program and the Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties. Grants support work ranging from after-school activities and cleaning up Sachuest Bay to Alzheimer’s care and preventing relationship violence.
  • More than $25,000 to eight college students from Rhode Island for travel, study and public service projects through the Michael P. Metcalf Memorial Fund.
  • More than $176,000 to food banks, homeless shelters and free clinics that provide needy Rhode Islanders with basic human needs including the Blackstone Valley Emergency Food Center in Pawtucket, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport and Welcome House of South County.

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