$290K In Grants Available To Newport County Nonprofits

NEWPORT, RI — Nonprofit organizations in Newport County have until Feb. 10 to apply for a share of $290,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation.

"These grants focus on serving the distinct needs of the residents of these communities. This is an opportunity for nonprofits to bring new resources to their missions," said Adrian Bonéy, the grant programs officer who manages the Foundation’s Newport County Fund.

Organizations can apply for up to $10,000 to develop new programs, strengthen or expand existing programs or for municipal planning or leadership, the foundation said. Organizations are asked to focus on "significant problems or opportunities, strategic partnerships or collaborations, innovation and measuring results."

The program is not intended to fund scholarships, medical research, debt reduction or other fundraising. Faith-based organizations can apply for a grant f the intended project or program is secular in nature.

Grant awardees will be notified in mid-May.

Last year, grants were awarded to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport, Child and Family in Middletown and the Jamestown Community Food Pantry. In total, the program has awarded approximately $5 million to organizations in Newport County's six cities and towns.

"We work with an advisory committee of residents from every Newport County community in order to provide the structure and context to address local priorities," Bonéy said.

For more information or to apply, visit the Rhode Island Foundation's website.