NEWPORT – The BankNewport Charitable Foundation has awarded $26,000 in grants to three organizations supporting Rhode Island children and teenagers, funding programs focused on education, food access, literacy, arts and social-emotional learning.
On Sept. 1, the foundation announced $15,000 for the Star Kids Scholarship Program, $7,000 for FabNewport and $4,000 for The Empowerment Factory.
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The Star Kids grant will support academic tutoring, supervised after-school and summer programs, transportation, textbooks and school uniforms for low-income children and youths. During the 2025-26 academic year, the organization served 153 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including 86 Rhode Island students. Star Kids reported a 95% high school graduation rate as of 2025, with 92% of graduates pursuing postsecondary education.
FabNewport’s $7,000 grant will support its Healthy Meals Program, which provides lunches and snacks to about 60 middle and high school students participating in free summer and extended-learning programs. The program also incorporates lessons on nutrition, local food systems and sustainability.
The Empowerment Factory received $4,000 to help purchase supplies for after-school and community programs in Pawtucket and Providence combining literacy, hands-on art and social-emotional learning. Its programs have reached more than 10,000 urban youths over the past 11 years.
The grants were part of BankNewport Charitable Foundation’s spring 2026 grant cycle, which distributed more than $470,000 to nearly 50 Rhode Island nonprofits.
BankNewport has awarded more than $12 million in grants, sponsorships and donations over the past decade to organizations focused on basic human needs, arts and culture, education and healthy communities.
Matthew McNulty is a PBN staff writer. He can be reached at McNulty@PBN.com or on X at @MattMcNultyNYC.
