RI Foundation Awards $300K in “Surprise” Emergency Grants

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

GoLocalProv News Team

It was Christmas, just a bit early. This morning, the RI Foundation awarded $300,000 in "emergency" grants to 12 local organizations, to help them respond to needs for basic services.

“This grant, particularly at this time of year, goes a long way,” said Heather Amaral, executive director of RI Meals on Wheels, at a press conference this morning where her organization was among the groups to receive a supplemental year-end grant to help provide emergency assistance to families and individuals who are struggling with basic needs such as food, warm and stable housing, and health care.

The Rhode Island Foundation is awarding these grants to non-profits located throughout the state in response to the continued need for basic services. Combined, these organizations, which include five coalitions representing at least a dozen regional service providers that have formed strategic partnerships, could reach more than 100,000 Rhode Islanders.

“When you are delivering almost 2,000 meals a day to elderly residents, one can quickly see how the recent spike in the price of gas drives up costs instantly. We are grateful for this grant and appreciate the Foundation’s recognition of programs like ours that are dedicated to helping our most vulnerable citizens maintain their independence and dignity,” said Amaral.

Today’s emergency grants come on the heels of a $100,000 emergency grant awarded to Crossroads Rhode Island in October to bolster the agency’s ongoing efforts to meet the unprecedented need for emergency shelter and services for the homeless.

Neil Steinberg, president and CEO of the Foundation, noted that while this program is a departure from its standard grantmaking programs that focus on long-term solutions, the need in communities is still acute and providing some additional support is simply the right thing to do again this year. “We hope these grants inspire people to dig deep and give more," he 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 the Foundation to provide some additional support during this season of sharing.” Mr. Steinberg made special note of the five coalitions, applauding their “forward-thinking and creative approach to reaching more people in need.”

Grants totaling $300,000 were awarded to:
•      Rhode Island Meals on Wheels
•      Amos House
•      International Institute of Rhode Island
•      Rhode Island Donation Exchange Program
•      Rhode Island Community Food Bank
•      Salvation Army (Good Neighbor Energy Fund)
•      We Share Hope
•      Basic Needs Network (South County)
•      Bristol County Basic Needs Network (East Bay)
•      Newport Partnership for Families (Newport County)
•      Rhode Island Community Action Association
•      Woonsocket Protein Collaborative (Woonsocket)