R.I. Gives Vax Challenge awards $120K to 12 local nonprofits

STATE OFFICIALS have awarded 12 local nonprofits $120,000 in grants from its new RI Gives Vax Challenge vaccine incentive program. / AP FILE PHOTO/TED S. WARREN
STATE OFFICIALS have awarded 12 local nonprofits $120,000 in grants from its RI Gives Vax Challenge vaccine incentive program. / AP FILE PHOTO/TED S. WARREN

PROVIDENCE – For the second time this week, local nonprofits became beneficiaries of grants thanks to more people getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Gov. Daniel J. McKee’s office announced Friday that 12 nonprofits received $120,000 in total grants in the second round of its RI Gives Vax Challenge vaccine incentive program. The initiative, in partnership with the Rhode Island Foundation and R.I. Commerce Corp., selects eligible nonprofits that are on the frontlines combating the ongoing pandemic through a lottery system, with each one receiving $10,000.

The grants will help the organizations provide COVID-19-related services and also encourage local residents to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, McKee’s office said. The first round of grants were announced Monday.

The organizations that received grants in this round are:

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  • African Alliance of Rhode Island
  • Be The Change Sunday Meal
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick
  • Center for Southeast Asians
  • The Collective
  • Friends of Rhode Island CASA
  • NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley
  • Rhode Island Public Health Institute
  • Rhode Island Communities for Addiction Recovery Efforts
  • The Salvation Army
  • Turning Around Ministries
  • Women’s Refugee Care

The foundation is accepting applications from interested nonprofits via its website until July 30. The next round will have $150,000 in grants distributed to 15 nonprofits once another 5,000 first COVID-19 vaccine doses are administered across Rhode Island.

James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.

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