Textron Inc. recently announced 23 Rhode Island-based recipients of the company’s 2006 grant program. Grants are awarded two times each year via the Textron Charitable Trust, a nonprofit, private foundation sponsored by Textron Inc. The foundation provides grants to organizations that focus on workforce development, education, community revitalization, arts and culture, as well as health and human services programs.
“Textron is dedicated to responsible corporate citizenship,” said Cate Roberts, director of diversity and community affairs at Textron. “Through our corporate giving program, we strive to build positive and proactive community partnerships with agencies that provide innovative responses to community needs.”
The grants awarded this cycle support activities and programs benefiting Rhode Islanders throughout the state. Funding recipients include:
* International Institute of Rhode Island – $40,000 to support an ESL (English as a Second Language) and Job Readiness Program.
* Crossroads Rhode Island – $35,000 toward “The Copy Shop Project,” which provides training and employment in the printing business to disadvantaged adults.
* Festival Ballet Providence – $20,000 for the support of ballet scholarships and the “Discover Dance” program.
* FirstWorks Providence – $20,000 toward multiple cultural celebrations for children and families throughout 2006.
* Bradford Dunn Institute – $10,000 to help fund a summer remedial reading program for grade-school students.
The Textron Charitable Trust also provided funding to City Year Rhode Island; Day One (formerly known as The Sexual Assault & Trauma Resource Center); CVS Highlander Charter School; Grow Smart RI; Junior Achievement of Rhode Island, Inc.; Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC); Meals On Wheels; Providence Performing Arts Center; Providence Preservation Society; Rebuilding Together Providence; Rhode Island Kids Count; Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra; Rhode Island Zoological Society; Special Olympics Rhode Island; The Education Partnership; Trinity Repertory Company; WaterFire Providence; and Year Up Providence.
The company accepts grant applications twice each year, spring and fall. The deadline for the next grant cycle is Sept. 1, 2006. For more information, guidelines, and an application, visit www.textron.com.
