Northern RI nonprofits win grants for food, housing, health

 

Local nonprofits can still apply for an additional $11.7 million grants on first-come-first-served basis

 

 

WOONSOCKET, RI - Five northern Rhode Island nonprofits that help Blackstone Valley residents with food, housing and behavioral health are among the organizations that will share $8.3 million in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation.

 

Connecting for Children and Families, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley and New Beginnings in Woonsocket, The Milagros Project in Manville and the Northern Rhode Island Food Pantry in Cumberland all received funding.

 

"Nonprofits across the state have been going above and beyond to provide support and resources to people in need. Given the impact of COVID-19 and ongoing cost increases, our grants ensure they can continue doing the essential work that their communities depend on," said Neil D. Steinberg, the Foundation's president and CEO.

 

The Northern Rhode Island Food Pantry will use its grant to purchase food and supplies. The all-volunteer organization helps about 1,500 people a month through twice-monthly, drive-through food distribution events in the parking lot of its facility on Angell Road.

 

"Our numbers have increased so dramatically over the past two years that we've gone to two distributions a month. The need is so great. Many of our guests come to us twice a month," said Bob Chaput, co-executive director.

"The funding comes at crucial time. We're concerned that the first jump in heat and electric bills will push more people over the edge. It would not surprise me if our numbers grow."

 

The Foundation encourages northern Rhode Island organizations that have not already received grants to apply for the remaining $11.7 million.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the funding is expended. The maximum grants are expected to be $150,000.

 

"We are grateful that state leaders believed in our capacity to quickly get this funding out to the organizations that are doing the boots-on-the-ground work helping their communities recover from the pandemic's continuing impact on the daily lives of Rhode Islanders," said Steinberg.

 

Applicants must have a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) and must submit a copy of their most recent IRS Form 990, 990EZ or 990N; and their

501(c)(3) IRS determination letter with their application if it is not already on file at the Foundation. For more information, visit rifoundation.org/arpagrants<https://rifoundation.org/grant/arpagrants>.

 

State leaders funded the Foundation's ARPA Nonprofit Support Program using

$20 million from the state's $1.1 billion share of the federal American Rescue Plan Act allocation for COVID-19 recovery. Governor Dan McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio joined the Foundation to unveil the program.

 

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $98 million and awarded $76 million in grants last year. Through leadership, fundraising and grant-making activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org<https://rifoundation.org/>.