RI Foundation Awards Grants to Three Woonsocket Nonprofits

Three Woonsocket nonprofits are among eight organizations that will share $6,010 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation through the North Smithfield Ambulance and Rescue Association Fund. The grants will underwrite a variety of services including expanding health and wellness programs for seniors and assisting victims of domestic violence. The Foundation now has made more than $63,000 in grants since the fund was established in 2003.

The fund supports projects and activities that benefit the health and welfare of the citizens of North Smithfield. Preference is given to organizations that do not have access to other sources of funding. This year’s grants are:

·         Family Resources Community Action, Woonsocket, $500 to support the Infant Massage Project;

·         NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Woonsocket, $500 to provide expanded access to health and wellness programs for North Smithfield seniors;

·         Thundermist Health Center, Woonsocket, $1,500 to provide comprehensive primary care in a patient-centered-medical-home model to needy residents of North Smithfield;

·         Camp Ruggles, Chepachet, $510 for a scholarship for a needy child from North Smithfield;

·         Villa at Saint Antoine, North Smithfield, $500 to support the summer concert series at the Villa;

·         WellOne Primary Medical and Dental Care, Pascoag, $1,500 to support health services for needy North Smithfield residents;

·         North Smithfield Heritage Association, $500 to support labor and material costs to replace the upper and interior portions of the Forestdale School House chimney; and

·         Sojourner House, Providence, $500 to support domestic violence services in North Smithfield;

The North Smithfield Ambulance and Rescue Association was formed in 1954 to provide free ambulance and rescue services to residents. Its activities were funded through annual door-to-door drives and direct mail appeals. In the early 2000s, when ambulance and rescue runs began to be billed to insurance companies, the association disbanded. The North Smithfield Fire Department picked up the ambulance and rescue service, utilizing a rescue truck, boat and other equipment donated by the association. The association then transferred its remaining assets to the Rhode Island Foundation to establish a permanent endowment.

Applications will be available again early in 2014. For grants currently available at the Rhode Island Foundation, visit the Nonprofits/Grant Opportunities section of the Foundation’s website at www.rifoundation.org.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island.  In 2012, the Foundation made grants of more than $30.4 million to organizations addressing the most pressing issues and needs of the state’s 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.