Rhode Island Foundation awards nearly $400K to 63 projects, in 18 cities and towns

Photo: Casey Johnson displays two bee species as WRWC volunteers behind her work on cultivating a pollinator garden along the river in Providence. Credit: Connie Grosch for the Rhode Island Foundation.

In a time when division seems to rule, it’s never been more important to support work that brings people together.

The Rhode Island Foundation announced it has awarded nearly $400,000 in grants to fund community-based projects across the state. The work ranges from installing a string of pollinator gardens along the Woonasquatucket River and a Black Improv Festival to outdoor classrooms for urban youth and a community-quilting project.  

“In a time when division seems to rule, it’s never been more important to support work that brings people together. Our hope is that every one of these projects will strengthen the bonds that bind us together as neighbors and as citizens,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO. 

The Foundation is funding 63 projects in 18 cities and towns. The maximum grant was $10,000. Most of the work is expected to be underway before the end of the year. 

“These grants will support places to gather, offer experiences that bring us together and launch new collaborations that will build community connections throughout Rhode Island,” said Cicilline. 

Among the organizations receiving grants are the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council in Providence, which received $7,500 to create a string of pollinator garden beds along the Woonasquatucket River Greenway; the South County Museum in Narragansett, which received $5,000 to support a community quilt project; Bread of Life in Woonsocket, which received $5,000 to stage a cultural cuisine festival; and Newport Classical, which received $4,000 to support its free, year-round Community Concerts Series.

Other recipients include Borders Farm Preservation in Foster, the African Allian of R.I. in Providence, Crossroads Rhode Island in North Kingstown, Friends of Canonchet Farms in Narragansett, Good Neighbors in East Providence, House of Hope in Warwick and the Greenville Public Library. For the complete list of grant recipients, visit rifoundation.org/community.