Deadline Nears for Grants to Serve RI's African American Community

Nonprofit organizations have until Sept. 15 to apply for grants from the Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI), a field-of-interest fund at the Rhode Island Foundation.

BPI is the first fund at the Foundation devoted exclusively to causes and issues affecting Black Rhode Islanders. Proposals must serve the African-American community and focus on economic sustainability and the Black family in three specific areas: housing, financial literacy and job training.

“Our mission is long-term, systemic changes that better the lives of Rhode Island’s Black community. By seeking proposals that encourage equity and promote access, we can create pathways to achievement and accomplishment,” said Linda Newton, who co-chairs BPI’s advisory committee.

Last year’s recipients include the Rhode Island Black Business Association, which received $5,000 to increase equity in access to capital for Black-owned businesses; the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, which received $4,178 to increase the assets of Black women and their families by expanding outreach around financial literacy; and AS220 Youth, which received $8,614 to explore Black male identity, masculinity, family and community for about 100 young men of color at the state youth detention center. The average grant was grant was $7,600.

In addition to Newton, the members of the BPI advisory committee are the Honorable Edward Clifton, Jason Fowler, Beverly Ledbetter and the Honorable Walter Stone. Since 2012, BPI has awarded more than $60,000 in grants.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. In 2013, the Foundation made grants of more than $31 million to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit www.rifoundation.org.

PHOTO CAPTION: Members of the Black Philanthropy Initiative present a grant to AS220 as last year.