Overview of 2010 Grant Programs
As the largest and most comprehensive funder in the state, the Foundation is committed to achieving maximum positive impact through grants, outreach, and other investments in the community. In 2010, we gave a record $29.2 million in grants to more than 1,300 organizations.
Grants fall into two broad categories: discretionary grants made at the direction of Foundation staff and directors; and grants recommended by our donors through donor-advised or designated funds. In 2010, Foundation-directed grants represented 41percent of total grantmaking; donor-directed grants totaled 59 percent.
In 2010, we focused our discretionary grantmaking in our six funding sectors – education, health, arts & culture, community & economic development, environment, and human services – while increasing our attention and resources on two key “signature initiatives” of public education reform and primary healthcare. Our 2010 discretionary grants of $10,000 or more are listed here. These pages also include an “Impact” section since we are determined to measure and learn from the impact of our investments and to communicate that impact more broadly.
The full range of Foundation grant opportunities in 2010 included:
- Strategy grants, which support projects that address significant community challenges, strive for lasting impact, and serve disadvantaged Rhode Islanders
- Organizational development grants for activities that strengthen and improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness
- Basic human needs grants for organizations providing food, clothing, housing, prescription, and utility assistance
- Fund for a Healthy Rhode Island grants to improve primary health care services and delivery
- Newport County Fund grants for organizations serving the six communities of Newport County
- Equity Action grants for organizations serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning communities of Rhode Island
- Scholarships providing financial assistance for educational opportunities through more than 150 scholarship funds
See a complete list of the 1,314 organizations that received one or more grants from a fund at the Foundation in 2010.
Total Grants by Fund Type |