Rhode Island Foundation Awards $300k in Emergency Grants
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Rhode Island Foundation has awarded $300,000 in "surprise" year-end emergency grants to a dozen local non-profit organizations and coalitions in order to supplement assistance to families and individuals struggling with the cost of basic needs like food, shelter, and health care.
Combined, these organizations could reach over 100,000 Rhode Islanders.
"This grant, particularly at this time of year, goes a long way," said Heather Amaral, executive director of RI Meals on Wheels, one of the 12 organizations receiving grant money. Amaral blamed recent spikes in gas prices for the increased cost of delivering meals to almost 2,000 elderly residents daily. "We are grateful for this grand and appreciate the Foundation's recognition of programs like ours that are dedicated to helping our most vulnerable citizens maintain their independence and dignity," she said.
Today's grants follow a $100,000 emergency grant issued last October to Crossroads Rhode Island in an effort to bolster the agency's provisions for emergency shelter and services for the homeless. Neil Steinberg, president and CEO of the RI Foundation, noted that the acute needs of local communities mandated a departure from standard grant-making programs.
"We hope that these grants inspire people to dig deep and give more," Steinberg said. "We are proud of the critical work these organizations and coalitions are doing in our communities and grateful that our generous donors make it possible for provide some additional support during this season of sharing.”
Who got the grants?
The foundations receiving money, which Steinberg applauded for their "forward-thinking and creative approach to reaching more people in need" are as follows:
RI Meals on Wheels- $30,000
Amos House- $30,000
International Institute of Rhode Island- $10,000
Rhode Island Donation Exchange Program- $30,000
Rhode Island Community Food Bank- $50,000
Salvation Army (Good Neighbor Energy Fund)- $30,000
We Share Hope- $10,000
Basic Needs Network (South County)- $30,000
Bristol County Basic Needs Network (East Bay)- $10,000
Newport Partnership for Families (Newport County)- $30,000
Rhode Island Community Action Association- $30,000
Woonsocket Protein Collaborative (Woonsocket)- $10,000
