RI Foundation Awards $3.3M To Warwick Nonprofits

WARWICK, RI — The Rhode Island Basis awarded $3.3 million in grants to Warwick nonprofits in 2024, serving to push the group to the third-best yr of giving in its 109-year-history.

“Demand for our assist didn’t diminish final yr. The pandemic is behind us in some ways, however its influence on pupil success, well being and the economic system lingered,” mentioned David N. Cicilline, the Basis’s president and CEO. “We’re grateful for the generosity of Rhode Islanders who belief us to information their philanthropy and the dedication of our nonprofit companions that enabled us to tackle the problem.”

Warwick Nonprofits Aided by $3.3M in grants

Home of Hope, the Potter Spay and Neuter Clinic, the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, Thundermist Health Center and the Westbay Community Action Program are among the many native nonprofits that obtained grants.

Home of Hope obtained $20,000 to cowl prices that contribute to homelessness or forestall people who find themselves unhoused from shifting into housing.

‘Demand for our assist didn’t diminish final yr. The pandemic is behind us in some ways, however its influence on pupil success, well being and the economic system lingered.’

“These {dollars} are desperately wanted. Think about being one medical invoice or one electrical invoice from not having sufficient cash to pay the hire. That is particularly nice information with winter climate arriving,” mentioned Laura Jaworski, Home of Hope’s government director.

The Potter Spay and Neuter Clinic obtained $30,000 to supply low-cost spay/neuter providers for pet homeowners who can’t afford them. The ability estimates it carried out procedures on over 6,000 canine and cats final yr.

“Given our dedication to tackling companion animal and neighborhood pet overpopulation, this program is crucial in serving to us meet our targets and enhancing the well-being of our neighborhood’s animals,” mentioned CEO Brad Shear. “Over the previous yr, we now have seen a rising demand for our providers due to rising prices; we are going to proceed to reply to this rising want with our unwavering dedication to offering distinctive care in a nurturing surroundings.”

The announcement comes because the Basis launches its new 5-Yr Motion Plan and focuses its consideration on Civic and Cultural Life, Local weather Motion and Sustainability, Civic and Cultural Life, Training and Pupil Success, Wholesome and Sturdy Communities, and Housing and Financial Mobility; guided by inclusiveness, accessibility, compassion, mutual respect and humility.

As well as, the Basis lately rolled out three enhanced grant packages: Group Precedence Grants, Catalyst Grants and Capability Constructing Grants.

  On the finish of 2024, the Basis’s whole property stood at roughly $1.5 billion. Complete fund funding return for the yr was 10.5 p.c. Along with elevating $59 million in items final yr, the Basis awarded almost $87 million in grants statewide, its third greatest efficiency ever. Greater than 2,500 nonprofits obtained funding.

About 75 p.c of the grants had been directed by the Basis’s donors; solely a few quarter of the grants may very well be made on the sole discretion of the Basis. About half of the almost $87 million went to organizations that obtained each donor-directed and Basis-directed grants.

 Along with grant-making and fundraising, neighborhood management is central to the Basis’s work. In 2024, the Basis raised almost $720,000 for its Civic Management Fund.

 This annual fund allows the Basis to transcend conventional grant-making to work with neighborhood companions and decision-makers to resolve crucial neighborhood challenges by way of convening and advocacy, and by offering alternatives for Rhode Islanders to interact in civic life.

  “Our donors perceive that responsiveness requires flexibility, innovation and the assets to tackle urgent points as they come up. Their generosity enabled us to deal with challenges just like the housing scarcity by funding a public schooling marketing campaign in assist of the $120 million housing bond final November,” mentioned Cicilline.

 The Rhode Island Basis is the biggest and most complete funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. By means of civic management, fundraising and grant-making actions, along with neighbors and companions, the Basis helps to create progress that lasts. For extra data, go to rifoundation.org.