Bristol, RWU Award Nearly $12,000 to Community Organizations

The Town of Bristol/Roger Williams University Cooperative Committee awarded nearly $12,000 in grant funds to local nonprofits and organizations this week.

The $11,700 award was possible as part of the Fund for Civic Activities, which was established in 2007 when Roger Williams University and the Town of Bristol agreed to a 20-year PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) accord.

 The award concludes the fifth cycle of biannual FCA awards, which according to a release issued today, were created to enhance the civic experience of Bristol residents, extend RWU’s commitment to active community engagement and provide support to local organizations. The university pledged $25,000 annually in FCA grants and to date has distributed $80,076 to support nearly 50 projects and initiatives, the release stated.

“We reviewed a wide range of proposed projects this cycle, from enhancing childhood education to assisting local families in need,” said Peter Wilbur, who directs community relations for Roger Williams. “We’re pleased to see that so many people are benefitting from the civic activities fund and that the university is able to provide these much-needed funds to the local community.”

The FCA is part of the $42 million, 20-year PILOT agreement established in 2007, under which the university makes an annual voluntary payment of $150,000 to help offset the cost of emergency services provided by the town. Selections are made by the 12-person Cooperative Committee, which comprises individuals from both the town and the university. The complete list of awards for this fifth cycle of grants includes:

• $2,500 to the Herreshoff Marine Museum to develop a 9^th grade curriculum-enriching “traveling trunk” program, aimed at using sailing to teach the math and sciences.
• $600 to the toward the purchase of a digital video projector and other costs associated with the organization’s free lecture series.

• $2,500 to the Bristol County Elks Lodge for continued support of the East Bay Cares program, which provides supplementary assistance to local food pantries and soup kitchens.

• $750 to the Bristol Land Conservation Trust to organize an event that will recognize conservation efforts in Bristol as part of the trust’s 25^th anniversary celebration.

• $1,500 to to support the Access Nutrition Program, which provides over 3,000 low-income individuals with healthy food and nutrition information.

• $850 to Coggeshall Farm Museum to enhance the quality and quantity of curriculum-matched educational programs and school field trips to the Farm site.

• $1,500 to the toward the purchase of four double cat cage units, which will assist staff and volunteers in providing care as animals await adoption.

• $1,500 to the Portuguese Citizenship Project of Bristol to supplement the cost of naturalization classes and civics test registration fees.