Rhode Island Foundation offers $265,000 in grants to serve Newport County residents

Nonprofit organizations that serve residents of Newport County’s six cities and towns have until Feb. 15 to apply for $265,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation.

“We are focused on serving the unique needs of the people in these communities. Collaborating with partners that have deep roots here gives us the resources and context to address local priorities,” said Adrian Bonéy, the Foundation’s grantmaker for special programs.

The Newport County Fund (NCF) offers grants of up to $10,000 to develop new programs, to strengthen or expand established programs and for municipal planning or leadership.

Applicants should focus on significant problems or opportunities, strategic partnerships or collaborations, innovation and measuring results.

The NCF does not fund individuals or scholarships, medical research, debt reduction or fundraising. Grants may support faith-based organizations for secular programs or projects. These are annual grants; NCF does not make multi-year commitments.

Last year’s recipients include the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport, which received $10,000 to expand its free health and wellness programs; Day One in Middletown, which received $10,000 to support its work with child and adult victims of sexual violence and abuse; and Visiting Nurse Home and Hospice of Portsmouth, which received $5,000 to improve care for patients with conditions such as depression, dementia and chronic medical disorders.

Over the years, the NCF has invested more than $3.8 million in funding programs and services for residents of Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth and Tiverton.

The NCF is supplemented by the Jamestown Community Fund and the Jamestown Fund for the Performing Arts. Over the years, the two funds have awarded more than $100,000 in grants.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.