$100,000 in Grants to East Providence Organizations Push Rhode Island Foundation to Record-Breaking Year

The Rhode Island Foundation awarded more than $100,000 in grants to East Providence organizations on the way to a record-breaking year in 2015.

"We are indebted to our committed donors for joining with us for 100 years to address on the state’s challenges and opportunities," said Neil Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO. "Their extraordinary generosity made it possible for us to make investments in Rhode Island as never before."

Grants targeted eight key sectors: arts and culture, basic human needs, children and families, education, economic security, environment, health and housing. Grants were distributed to half a dozen East Providence organizations, including:

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School received $85,000 to support its work on programs such as Linked Up, which provides free music education classes to more than 11,000 students in grades 3, 4 and 5.

The Boys and Girls Club of East Providence received $2,300, the National Federation of the Blind of Rhode Island received $6,365 and the National Federation of the Blind received $6,365 to teach Braille and non-visual techniques to blind and visually impaired students age 5 to 13.

The East Providence School Department received nearly $5,000 to support classroom innovation at the Orlo Avenue School. Five third-grade teachers split the grants. For example, Amanda Betchy will buy floor and table-top drums to teach students how to read music.

“Students will learn how to read traditional musical notation and how to perform and work together. This could lead to a college scholarship by inspiring students to go out for marching band or chorus in high school,” said Betchy. “Students will learn about different drumming cultures around the world and how the music influences their daily lives.”

Statewide, the Foundation awarded $41.5 million in grants, while raising $43 million in new gifts from individual, organizational and corporate donors last year.

“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, director of grant programs. In addition to grantmaking and fundraising, community leadership is central to the Foundation’s activities and business. In 2015, the Foundation raised a record $354,247 in the fourth year of its annual Civic Leadership Fund (CLF), which enables the Foundation to go beyond traditional grantmaking to provide leadership and a forum for dialogue on critical community issues. Among CLF’s ongoing projects are the Buy Local RI economic development initiative and Community Conversations, a series of presentations on crucial issues.

“Our Civic Leadership donors recognize that change can require many different approaches. Having the resources to take advantage of opportunities enhances the work that our nonprofit partners already do,” said Jessica David, the Foundation’s senior vice president of strategy and community investments.

Founded with a $10,000 gift from Jesse Metcalf in 1916, the Foundation’s assets have grown to $790 million. To celebrate its centennial, the Foundation plans a full year of community activities highlighted by awarding community-building grants of up to $15,000 in every city and town in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. In 2015, the Foundation awarded $41.5 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.