Rhode Island Foundation grants record $29.2M to local nonprofits

By PBN Staff

Attachments

A LIST OF THE 2010 "strategy" grant winners.

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Foundation, a state-centric philanthropic organization, granted a record $29.2 million in 2010 to nonprofits, up from $27.5 million in 2009.

It is the largest annual amount in the Foundation’s 95-year history, according to a news release on Tuesday.

“So many Rhode Islanders are still struggling to get by, and nonprofits are working extremely hard to address the state’s most pressing issues,” said Foundation President and CEO Neil D. Steinberg. “This record amount demonstrates our shared commitment and belief that charitable giving can improve the quality of life in our state over the long term.”

The Foundation also highlighted the 114 Rhode Island nonprofits that received a total of $5.7 million in competitive “strategy” grants last year, a program designed to encourage collaborative projects that “foster innovation and seek to achieve efficiencies, reduce duplication of service and provide strategies for long-term sustainability.”

The “strategy” grants are divided into six sectors: arts and culture, economic and community development, education, environment, health, and human services.

The Rhode Island Foundation said it has invested more than $245 million statewide during the past decade.