R.I. Foundation awards grants for projects in every community

NEIL D. STEINBERG, Rhode Island Foundation president, announced Wednesday that 43 projects in all 39 cities and towns will share $500,000 in Centennial Community grants funding. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION
NEIL D. STEINBERG, Rhode Island Foundation president, announced Wednesday that 43 projects in all 39 cities and towns will share $500,000 in Centennial Community grants funding. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION

PROVIDENCE – A total of 43 projects in all 39 towns and cities across the state will share $500,000 in Centennial Community Grants funding distributed by the Rhode Island Foundation to mark its 100th anniversary, the organization said Wednesday.

Over the past five years the foundation, whose assets have been valued at $800 million, has awarded more than $165 million in grants.

Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO Neil D. Steinberg said he is proud to continue the organization’s long history of philanthropy.

“Our work would not be possible but for the visionaries who came before us, the donors who generously invest in Rhode Island and the community leaders who convert the resources into action,” he said.

- Advertisement -

The Centennial Community grants were funded in part by longtime Rhode Island Foundation donor Anne Sage.

“This is such a wonderful way to celebrate the foundation’s 100th anniversary. What an amazing opportunity to cast a wide net and benefit people from every corner of Rhode Island,” she said.

Everything from municipal governments to nonprofit organizations and public agencies received funding of no more than $15,000. All projects, which include bike lane construction, designing walking tours, planting community gardens, creating neighborhood libraries and installing historic markers, are estimated to be completed by the close of 2016.

Some of the recipients are:

  • Town of North Providence, $15,000 to create and install signage and a gazebo on the waterfront at the Camp Meehan site in Gov. John Notte Memorial Park.
  • Aquidneck Community Table, $12,000 to create the first community garden in Newport.
  • The Contemporary Theater Company of South Kingstown, $15,000 to present a summer performance series and enhance its public performance patio overlooking the Saugatucket River with lighting, seating, bicycle racks and sound equipment.
  • East Greenwich Housing Authority and its affiliated nonprofit Cove Homes Inc., $1,500 to construct, manage and maintain three Little Free Libraries at the three affordable housing developments for families in town.
  • Town of Warren, $15,000 to repair and restore full public access to the Jamiel Park Outdoor Skating Rink, the only Olympic-size inline skating rink in the area.
  • The Boys & Girls Club of Woonsocket, $8,000 to restore a basketball court located behind the club on land it recently purchased from the city.

Additional grant information can be found HERE.

Jessica David, the Rhode Island Foundation’s senior vice president of strategy and community investments, said the Centennial Community grants program is an investment in the future of Rhode Island.

“We are celebrating our Centennial by funding projects that will bring life to every one of Rhode Island’s remarkable cities and towns. Communities will blossom and grow stronger as this work rolls out,” she said.

In celebration of its anniversary, the Rhode Island Foundation has chosen to highlight the restoration of Roger Williams Park through a $10 million campaign for which they have already raised $5 million. Funds raised by the foundation include a $1.15 million gift from The Champlin Foundations to restore the historic bandstand and museum, $1.5 million from the foundation itself, as well as contributions from more than four dozen additional donors.

Updates to the central green space will include new signage, expanded walkways, bicycle paths, improvements to park entrances and repairs to the Museum of Natural History, the bandstand, the casino and the Temple to Music.

No posts to display