Impact (highlights)
- With $40,000 from The Rhode Island Foundation, the City of East Providence leveraged more than $300,000 in state funds to develop one of the largest solar energy projects in New England, transforming the former Forbes Street landfill, a long-time nonperforming liability, into a performing asset for the city. The project will be incorporated into the local school curriculum and serves as a model for redeploying brownfield sites as alternative energy producers.
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| Rhode Island’s more than 45 land trusts work to preserve open space and natural areas like Black Point, Narragansett. (Photo: Rupert Friday, Rhode Island Land Trust Council, with fiscal agent Third Sector New England) |
- A grant of $60,000 to the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning’s “Green and Healthy Housing” demonstration project in Providence, one of 15 pilot sites around the country, will support 250 housing units that meet the standard of “green and healthy” and systems change that improves household health and lowers utility costs for Rhode Island families. The project has leveraged more than $3.5 million in federal and state funds to date.
- A $55,000 grant helped the Coalition for Transportation Choices develop transportation funding recommendations as part of legislation introduced during the 2011 session to start addressing the state’s unsustainable transportation financing structure currently in place.
- As a result of the Environment Northeast’s policy and advocacy efforts, energy efficiency programs worth $45.6 million will be available to Rhode Island families and businesses, an increase from $16 million in 2008. Energy efficiency measures saved Rhode Island customers $12.3 million in 2010 and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 432,000 tons.The Foundation awarded $45,000 toward these efforts.
- With a Foundation grant of $30,000 Southside Community Land Trust is establishing a Rhode Island Food Council and an integrated two-year strategic action plan that moves the state toward a more sustainable food system.
”After land is protected by land trusts, the state
or municipalities, sound stewardship is critical!
Rhode Island Foundation funding enables us to
be vigilant and ensure that these special places
in our communities remain protected for future
generations to enjoy.”
Rupert Friday, Director, Rhode Island Land Trust Council |
- A $25,000 grant is helping Westerly Land Trust develop a long-term strategic plan for its urban program, consisting of four catalytic projects: the Westerly KeepSpace Initiative, the restoration of the United Theater, the Main Street Gateway Project, and the development of a regional commuter rail hub.
- As a result of Save The Bay’s climate change initiative, Newport, Bristol, and Warwick will have revised comprehensive and hazard mitigation plans that incorporate climate change impacts leading to smarter infrastructure investments and stronger local policies in the areas of water infrastructure, coastal management, and storm preparedness. The Foundation supported this work with a $30,000 grant.
- A $50,000 grant is helping The Nature Conservancy revise the State Wildlife Action Plans to incorporate climate change considerations, a new federal mandate. The project will leverage more than $100,000 in federal funds and makes the state eligible for an estimated $600,000 annually for plan implementation.
“Responding to the challenge of impaired water quality is essential to all citizens. Funding through the Rhode Island Foundation
has helped us to bring together the two states and municipalities and deal with this issue in a
collaborative way that improves communication across natural and political boundaries.”
David Prescott, South County COASTKEEPER®
Save The Bay |
- A Rhode Island Environmental Literacy Plan was approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education and utilized as a basis for an environmental education curriculum that has demonstrated success nationally in improving student engagement and performance in math and science. A $22,000 Foundation grant supported the Plan.
- The Audubon Society of Rhode Island, the largest private steward of conservation land in Rhode Island, received a $38,000 grant to help increase sales and revenue at its two retail stores and sustain a 10% growth per year over the next three to five years to support its educational and conservation programs.
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