The Rhode Island Foundation awarded over 2,500 non-profit organizations with a total of $89 million dollars in 2023, making it the single largest grant the foundation has ever given.
The foundation is the largest public sector funded nonprofit funder in the state and aims to improve the lives of all Rhode Islanders through education, economic security and healthy living.
According to the Rhode Island Foundation, the grants awarded in 2023 were aligned with its strategic priorities of educational success, healthy lives and economic security.
Some of the programs that were funded include the College Visions in Providence, which aims to support college access and success, and the Genesis Center in Providence, which focuses on workforce training programs.
David Cicilline, the president, and CEO of the foundation expressed, “Our aid brought hope to Rhode Islanders who are struggling with hunger, rising housing prices and behavioral health challenges. We are indebted to our generous donors and the nonprofit organizations that deliver crucial assistance to Rhode Island’s diverse communities.”
According to the Rhode Island Foundation, about two-thirds of the grants were directed by the foundation’s donors, with only a third of the grants given at the sole discretion of the foundation. The foundation also launched its third class of Equity Leadership Initiative as a part of its efforts to diversify leadership in Rhode Island.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.