City rolls out ARPA program to take action against inequality

East Providence, RI –The City of East Providence has rolled out its third of multiple (American Rescue Plan Act) ARPA programs. The City has announced its Action Against Inequality grant and has set a total allotment of $50,000 in ARPA funds for the program.

The basic objective of the Action Against Inequality grant is to aid the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community in the city.

Nonprofit organizations, who have a proven track record of identifying underrepresented, and historically marginalized communities and fighting against inequality, are eligible to receive up to $10,000.

"Some of our residents face challenges, both as an Indigenous person and as a Black person and that intersection of challenges, presents a unique position for our city to take action,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “The pandemic took a heavy toll on the BIPOC community from high rates of unemployment to increased risk of infection and death - our Action Against Inequality grant allows us to provide relief and services that fits our mission of economic security, healthy living, and human services for our historically marginalized communities.”

In order to be eligible to receive funding through the Action Against Inequality grant program you must meet the following Criteria:
• Must be a 501-c3 nonprofit organization with a proven track record of programming within our BIPOC community.
• Must demonstrate that the funding will serve the BIPOC community in East Providence
• Organizations must address urgent needs in East Providence’s BIPOC communities associated with economic security, healthy living and human service. The grant application will be open until August 15, 2023.

If an organization is approved for this funding they will be responsible for tracking, and reporting to the City of East Providence. Once an organization has been approved the money will be given in a phased approach providing 50 percent of the grant, then once tracking and reporting are completed the remainder of the funds will be released.

For more information on our Action Against Inequality grant, please visit: https://eastprovidenceri.gov/action-against-inequality