‘Demand for our help did not diminish’; RI Foundation gave nearly $87M in grants in 2024
By Jack Perry for The Providence Journal
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Foundation awarded nearly $87 million in grants to more than 2,500 nonprofit organizations last year, with some of the money helping young people get into college and train for jobs.
“Demand for our help did not diminish last year. The pandemic is behind us in many ways, but its impact on student success, health and the economy lingered,” David N. Cicilline, the foundation’s president and CEO, said in announcing the grants. “We are grateful for the generosity of Rhode Islanders who trust us to guide their philanthropy and the dedication of our nonprofit partners that enabled us to take on the challenge.”
The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Last year’s was its third-highest annual award total in its 109-year history…
…
Bringing art to the community and students
Another recipient is FirstWorks, which received $85,000 to support its work staging festivals, workshops, lectures and performances such as PVDFest and the Summer Beats Concert Series.
Kathleen Pletcher, executive artistic director of FirstWorks, said, “Our live performances connect the arts and audiences in a way that shines a light on Rhode Island’s stellar arts community.
The organization also offers arts education workshops to 2,000 students annually. Eighty percent of those students live below the poverty line.
“Research shows that low-income students that are highly engaged in the arts are more than twice as likely to earn a bachelor’s degree and have better employment prospects, higher volunteerism, and greater civic participation,” Pletcher said.
