R.I. Foundation awards $15.4M in 2012 first half

By Emily Greenhalgh
PBN Web Editor
Twitter: @EGreenhalgh

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Foundation awarded $15.4 million in grants during the first half of 2012, the organization announced Monday.

“Through these grants, the Foundation is responding to urgent, statewide issues by strengthening the nonprofit sector, supporting innovation, and encouraging collaboration and advocacy,” Neil D. Steinberg, foundation president and CEO, said in a statement.

“To do this, we depend on the vision and generosity of our donors, who place their trust and confidence in the foundation, so that together, we can address Rhode Island’s most pressing needs and opportunities,” added Steinberg.

Of the $15.3 million awarded by the Rhode Island Foundation, $6.4 million was awarded in discretionary grants made by Foundation staff and directors, including $1.8 million to the Fund for a Healthy Rhode Island, support for first winners of the Rhode Island Innovation Fellowship, several major education grants, $48,000 from Equity Action to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer organizations, $182,183 to organizations serving Newport County, inaugural grants from the Black Philanthropy Initiative and $207,800 to provide emergency human service assistance to needy Rhode Islanders.

Under the Foundation’s competitive strategy grant program, $2.2 million was awarded to 42 Rhode Island nonprofit organizations.

Through the competitive strategy grants, the Foundation invests in organizations and programs that strive for long-term solutions to what it calls “significant community issues.”

Rhode Island Foundation strategy grants fall into six sectors: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environment, health, and human services. The foundation also supports signature initiatives in public education and primary health care.

“The programs funded by these strategy grants will help ensure Rhode Island has a thriving arts and culture sector, job training and affordable housing for all residents, a world-class education system, preserved and protected natural resources, accessible and affordable primary health care, and a successful system of care for at-risk youth,” Daniel Kertzner, the foundation’s vice president for grant programs, said in a statement.

The strategy grants from the first half of 2012 are as follows:

• Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island, $31,000

• Amos House, $75,000

• Brown University, $45,000

• Center for Collaborative Education, $50,000

• CHILD Inc., $44,900

• Children’s Friend and Service, $60,000

• College Crusade of Rhode Island, $60,000

• Corporation for Supportive Housing Interagency Council, $50,000

• Department of Children, Youth and Families, $98,600

• Dorcas Place Adult and Family Learning Center, $45,000

• The Economic Progress Institute, $37,500

• ecoRI News, $12,825

• Environment Council of Rhode Island Education, $8,600

• Family Service of Rhode Island, $65,000

• FirstWorks, $60,000

• Fund for UCAP, $35,000

• Grow Smart Rhode Island, $75,000

• Highlander Institute, $95,000

• Hispanic Heritage Committee of RI, $20,000

• Homefront Health Care, $42,660

• Inspiring Minds, $42,500

• International Institute Rhode Island Inc., $25,000

• Lifespan/The Miriam Hospital, $48,000

• Ocean State Action Fund, $50,000

• The Providence After School Alliance, $60,000

• Read to Succeed, $10,000

• Rhode Island Instructional Leadership Academy, $75,000

• Rhode Island Kids Count, $125,000

• Rhode Island League of Charter Schools, $23,575

• Rhode Island Parent Information Network, $65,000

• Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School, $55,000

• Riverwood Mental Health Services, $200,000

• RiverzEdge Arts Project, $50,000

• Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, $35,000

• Sierra Club Rhode Island Chapter, $30,000

• South County Hospital Healthcare, $65,000

• Special Olympics Rhode Island, $50,000

• Tides Family Services, $51,480

• Tiverton Library Foundation, $30,000

• University of Rhode Island Foundation, $15,000

• Venture for America, $25,000

• VNS Home Health Services, $59,500