R.I. Foundation awards record $41.5M in grants in 2015

PROVIDENCE – As it marks its centennial year, the Rhode Island Foundation reported Friday it awarded a record $41.5 million in grants last year to more than 1,600 nonprofits across the state.
The foundation also raised $43 million in new gifts from individual, family, organizational and corporate donors last year, the fourth-highest total in its history. Founded with a $10,000 gift from Jesse Metcalf in 1916, the foundation’s assets have grown to $790 million.
The foundation works in partnership with donors and nonprofits to meet the needs of the people of Rhode Island, and to find long-term solutions to community issues. Many of the awards were made under its competitive strategy grant program, which targets seven sectors: arts and culture, children and families, education, economic security, environment, health and housing.

“We are indebted to our committed donors for joining with us for 100 years to address the state’s challenges and opportunities,” said Neil D. Steinberg, the foundation’s president and CEO.
“Their extraordinary generosity made it possible for us to make investments in Rhode Island as never before.”
Some of the recipients and their awards included Day One of Providence, which got $72,030 to support its work fighting the commercial sexual exploitation of children and to provide victims with counseling, and Hope & Main in Warren, which received $100,000 to support its work helping culinary start-ups.
“From investing in programs that ensure young people can have productive lives to helping people lead healthier lives, our grants take on the issues that will move Rhode Island forward,” said Jenny Pereira, vice president for grant programs.
In 2015, the foundation also raised a record $354,247 in the fourth year of its annual Civic Leadership Fund, which enables the foundation to go beyond traditional grant making to provide leadership and a forum for dialogue on critical community issues. Ongoing projects include the Buy Local RI economic development initiative and Community Conversations, a series of presentations on critical issues.
To celebrate its centennial, the foundation plans a full year of community activities highlighted by a campaign to raise $10 million to preserve and improve Roger Williams Park.

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