United Way Invests $3 Million in Rhode Islanders
Monday, April 15, 2013
United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) is preparing to invest nearly $3 million in grants to organizations across Rhode Island, in reponse to its latest Requests for Proposal. Those receiving funds will focus on direct program services to facilitate long-term change through Education, Income, and Housing and Homelessness programs.
The more than 140 proposals were reviewed by 120 volunteers and then funding decisions were determined by the organization’s Community Investment Advisory Committee (CIAC). Each were scored on a wide-variety of criteria that included: fiscal accountability, agency operational standards, alignment with UWRI’s strategic goals, population and geography served, organizational stability and performance history, innovation, projected return on investment, and a balanced portfolio of programs.
“We are really excited about these investments,” said Anthony Maione, president & CEO of United Way of Rhode Island. “Thanks to the generous support of our donors and the hard work of our volunteers, we are partnering with organizations across our state in order to positively impact as many people as possible.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFor the period of July 2013-June 2016, 28 organizations representing 36 Rhode Island cities and towns will receive funding to support programs in UWRI’s focus areas of Education, Income, and Housing and Homelessness. Funding decisions were based on UWRI’s firsthand knowledge that when people have a safe, affordable place to live, a good education, and a higher-paying job, they can provide for themselves and their families.
Education grants
In the focus area of Education, grants were awarded to support both early childhood education and out-of-school-time programs. For young children, ages birth to five, improving access to high-quality early childhood education is critical to their development and preparation for success in the classroom. For children already enrolled in school, spending their out-of-school-time engaged in hands-on, experiential programming minimizes learning loss.
Education grants have been awarded to:
Capital City Community Centers: Early Childhood Education
Connecting for Children and Families, Inc.: Early Childhood Education & Out-of-School Time
East Bay Community Action Program: Out-of-School-Time
Federal Hill House Association: Early Childhood Education
New Urban Arts: Out-of-School-Time
Progreso Latino, Inc.: Early Childhood Education
RiverzEdge Arts: Out-of-School-Time
The College Crusade of Rhode Island: Out-of-School-Time
The Highlander Institute: Out-of-School-Time
Westbay Community Action, Inc.: Early Childhood Education
Income grants
Within the focus area of Income, grants were awarded in support of basic needs and financial stability to improve and expand safety net services for food, clothing, shelter, and heat while strengthening organizations’ case management capabilities and wrap-around services to help people move from crisis to security. Funds will also be used for work supports, removal of barriers to employment, and training programs to help individuals access and succeed in career opportunities in growth industries.
Income grants have been awarded to:
Building Futures/Providence Plan: Financial Stability
Children’s Friend and Service: Basic Needs
Connecting for Children and Families, Inc.: Financial Stability
Crossroads Rhode Island: Work Supports
Dorcas International Institute of RI: Basic Needs & Work Supports
Family Resources Community Action: Basic Needs & Financial Stability
Foster Forward: Financial Stability
Progreso Latino, Inc.: Financial Stability & Work Supports
Providence Housing Authority: Financial Stability & Work Supports
Providence Public Library: Work Supports
Rhode Island Free Clinic: Basic Needs
The Salvation Army: Basic Needs
Tri-Town Community Action Agency: Financial Stability
Westbay Community Action, Inc.: Basic Needs
West Elmwood Housing Development, Co.: Financial Stability
Wood River Health Services: Basic Needs
Housing + Homelessness
In the focus area of Housing and Homelessness, funds have been awarded to organizations to connect individuals and families who are homeless with individualized programs and services designed to help them become permanently housed.
Housing and Homelessness grants have been awarded to:
Amos House: Housing & Homelessness
Crossroads Rhode Island: Housing & Homelessness
House of Hope CDC: Housing & Homelessness
Providence In-town Churches Association: Housing & Homelessness
Riverwood Mental Health Services: Housing & Homelessness
WARM Center: Housing & Homelessness
“Each of the organizations who will receive funding has not only demonstrated strong results, but also innovative programs and a willingness to coordinate services among community partners to generate the best outcomes possible,” added Maione. “Our volunteer review committee had many difficult decisions to make based on the number of truly outstanding proposals we received; there is incredible work being done across the state, as we all work towards a community with fewer people in need.”
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