East Providence Organizations Awarded Champlin Foundation Grants

The Champlin Foundations have announced their 2011 grant recipients and East Providence organizations were given almost half a million dollars in funding for capital needs. The group provided nearly $19 million in grants to organizations across Rhode Island, focusing on equipment, construction, renovations, the purchase of real property and reduction of mortgage indebtedness for the state's tax-exempt organizations.

• $15,720 to The Chorus of East Providence for risers, rails, conductor system, speakers, and music stands.
• $125,000 to the  for a Steinway Grand Piano for concert use at Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
• $49,945 to St. Mary Academy - Bay View for equipment for the new Molecular Biology & Biotechnology program.
• $200,000 to the  toward the capital campaign for a new facility in East Providence.
• $8,970 to East Providence Public Library program for related equipment and furnishings.
• $60,000 to the for two vans and camperships.

The grants were handed out in December, with Champlin donating 11 percent more to community organizations statewide in 2011 than the previous year. The group is now accepting grant requests for 2012 and will be taking applications between March 1 and April 30. Instructions on how to apply can be found on their website.