Newport County Fund announces grants for 21 projects

The Newport County Fund of The Rhode Island Foundation has announced $137,367 in grants to 21 projects addressing a wide variety of needs in Newport County. Since being established at the Foundation in 2002, the Newport County Fund (NCF) has awarded more than $1.7 million to nonprofit organizations working in all six communities of Newport County.

In 2009, grantmaking in Newport County from The Rhode Island Foundation and the Newport County Fund totaled more than $1.3 million.

“The Rhode Island Foundation’s Newport County Fund helps to sustain local organizations that are working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for residents. These grants are directly aligned with the Foundation’s efforts to meet the state’s most pressing challenges while inspiring and stewarding philanthropy,” said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO, The Rhode Island Foundation.

This year’s funded projects range from a youth mentoring program to environmental education programs to job training services. Nonprofit organizations, including municipal departments, operating in Newport County are eligible to apply for the grants that range from $1,000 to $10,000. Grants are awarded in six key sectors; arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environment, health, and human services. In awarding these grants, the NCF seeks opportunities where a relatively small amount of money can be of strategic assistance. Each year, an advisory committee made up of community leaders from Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, and Tiverton makes grant recommendations.

“Since establishing The Newport County Fund, we have seen a tremendous outpouring of support and interest in helping address critical needs within our community. The breadth and quality of grant applications this year was tremendous, and I commend these organizations for their innovation and hard work,” said James Wright, chair, Newport County Fund. “The Rhode Island Foundation and the Newport County Fund are working together to make significant investments in programs creating positive change for our residents.”

In addition to its grantmaking activities, the Newport County Fund, in partnership with the Newport Daily News, convene community leaders and residents to engage in issues of importance and identify solutions to critical problems. NCF welcomes the involvement of all residents through participation in the convenings, applying for grants, and by becoming donors. Persons interested in supporting the funds or applying for grants should visit Grants, Giving to NCF, or contact Joyce Botelho, philanthropy officer, Newport County Fund, at (401) 848-2886.

NCF will seek applicants again next spring. For funding opportunities currently available through The Rhode Island Foundation, see Nonprofits/Grant Opportunities.

2010 grant recipients

Bridges, Inc. - $8,920
To create a pilot project music therapy program for clients at Bridges and two sister agencies in Newport County to achieve non-musical, therapeutic treatment goals prescribed by a board-certified music therapist.

Chamber Education Foundation - $6,000
Staffing support for a program coordinator for the Aquidneck Island Mentoring Program to grow and sustain a high-quality youth mentor program.

Child and Family - $8,000
For the Iron John Programs, a new initiative to develop supportive, action-oriented educational events to guide young men ages 13-19 through the challenges of growing up strong, healthy, and confident. The Iron John events will inform clinical support and assessment models and create new ways to approach the treatment and support of young men.

East Bay Community Action Program - $9,000
To provide case management services for the Newport Skills Alliance, a coalition of Newport County employers, industry associations, education and training providers and social/government service agencies, that have come together to address regional workforce development challenges by training low-income, work ready adults for high-demand jobs in strategic industries.

Island Moving Company - $8,000
For continued support of creative movement classes for 2nd and 3rd graders in Jamestown, Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton and Little Compton.

Jamestown Arts Center -$5,000
For support of a part-time executive director on a contractual basis to focus on organizational development planning for the Jamestown Arts Center.

Jamestown Community Chorus - $1,757
For the 2010-2011 Jamestown Community Piano Concert Series.

Jamestown School Department - $6,000
To establish a collaborative reading and learning partnership between students at the Lawn School Jamestown and Thompson Middle School in Newport using Mawi Asgedom’s “The Code: The 5 Secrets of Teen Success” to promote tolerance, respect and the value of personal action in initiating community change.

Little Compton Historical Society - $7,500
To hire a project consultant, produce a publication, and transcribe and digitize research resources on the history of Sakonnet Point as part of a public program collaboration between the Little Compton Historical Society, the Sakonnet Preservation Association, and The Friends of the Sakonnet Lighthouse.

Newport Community School - $10,000
Continued support for academic and extended learning opportunities by providing funding for program providers, transportation, and supplies.

Norman Bird Sanctuary - $10,000
For staffing support to hire a School Programs Coordinator and expand high-quality environmental education programs throughout Newport County.

Salve Regina University - $4,000
To develop educational resource packets and provide teacher stipends to recruit additional teacher/student teams and expand water quality monitoring for the Aquidneck Island Watershed Survey.

Star Kids Scholarship Program - $4,000
To provide individual academic after school and summer tutoring for Star Kids students.

Tiverton Library Foundation - $9,400
To hire consultants to develop and implement a marketing and communications plan about the need for a new library.

Up with School Arts - $4,400
To support school-based string instrument and percussion programs at the elementary and middle school level and orchestral and choral programs for high school students.

Visiting Nurses Services of Newport and Bristol Counties - $10,000
To expand existing health and wellness programming to the neediest senior residents in Newport County and link individuals to primary care and specialty services when more sophisticated care is necessary.

Visiting Nurses Services of Newport and Bristol Counties - $3,500
To foster quality professional care giving and clinical providers through support for the mental health needs of Hospice and Homecare staff and to offer professional trainings in Elder Emotional Health for community providers in Newport County.

Washington Square Services Corporation - $10,000
For continued support of case management services provided to residents at the McKinney Cooperative Shelter.

Women’s Resource Center of Newport and Bristol Counties - $7,890
To expand the bullying prevention and character development programs at Gaudet Middle School, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County, and the YMCA.

Jamestown Community Fund Grants

Jamestown Arts Center - $1,000 (in collaboration with a Newport County Fund grant)
For support of a part-time executive director on a contractual basis to focus on organizational development planning for the Jamestown Arts Center.

Friends of the Jamestown Philomenian Library -$1,000
To fund a week long summer camp for middle school aged girls who show an interest and talent in the arts but may not have the opportunity to attend a summer program because of finances or other obstacles. Ten girls will be chosen by teachers and or other community members (librarian, teen coordinator) to participate. The camp will focus on traditional handcrafts including basic sewing skills, knitting, weaving, paper making and silk screen using repurposed materials to explore the possibilities of creating art in a socially and environmentally conscious context.

Jamestown Education Foundation FA for the Jamestown School PTO - $2,000
To support two performances and workshops with the RI Philharmonic’s full jazz ensemble focusing on the life and work of Duke Ellington for Jamestown students in grades K-8. This program serves to introduce students to the rhythms of jazz performance, its instruments as well as the cultural impact of jazz on American life providing an innovative opportunity to combine the study of math, music theory, and history.