RI Foundation Awards $3.3M to Warwick Nonprofits

WARWICK, RI — The Rhode Island Foundation awarded $3.3 million in grants to Warwick nonprofits in 2024, helping push the organization to the third-best year of giving in its 109-year-history.

“Demand for our help did not diminish last year. The pandemic is behind us in many ways, but its impact on student success, health and the economy lingered,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “We are grateful for the generosity of Rhode Islanders who trust us to guide their philanthropy and the dedication of our nonprofit partners that enabled us to take on the challenge.”

Warwick Nonprofits Aided by $3.3M in grants

House of Hope, the Potter Spay and Neuter Clinic, the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, Thundermist Health Center and the Westbay Community Action Program are among the local nonprofits that received grants.

House of Hope received $20,000 to cover costs that contribute to homelessness or prevent people who are unhoused from moving into housing.

“These dollars are desperately needed. Imagine being one medical bill or one electric bill from not having enough money to pay the rent. This is especially great news with winter weather arriving,” said Laura Jaworski, House of Hope’s executive director.

The Potter Spay and Neuter Clinic received $30,000 to provide low-cost spay/neuter services for pet owners who cannot afford them. The facility estimates it performed procedures on over 6,000 dogs and cats last year.

“Given our commitment to tackling companion animal and community pet overpopulation, this program is essential in helping us meet our goals and enhancing the well-being of our community’s animals,” said CEO Brad Shear. “Over the past year, we have seen a growing demand for our services because of rising costs; we will continue to respond to this growing need with our unwavering dedication to providing exceptional care in a nurturing environment.”

The announcement comes as the Foundation launches its new Five-Year Action Plan and focuses its attention on Civic and Cultural Life, Climate Action and Sustainability, Civic and Cultural Life, Education and Student Success, Healthy and Strong Communities, and Housing and Economic Mobility; guided by inclusiveness, accessibility, compassion, mutual respect and humility.

In addition, the Foundation recently rolled out three enhanced grant programs: Community Priority Grants, Catalyst Grants and Capacity Building Grants.

  At the end of 2024, the Foundation’s total assets stood at approximately $1.5 billion. Total fund investment return for the year was 10.5 percent. In addition to raising $59 million in gifts last year, the Foundation awarded nearly $87 million in grants statewide, its third best performance ever. More than 2,500 nonprofits received funding.

About 75 percent of the grants were directed by the Foundation’s donors; only about a quarter of the grants could be made at the sole discretion of the Foundation. About half of the nearly $87 million went to organizations that received both donor-directed and Foundation-directed grants.

 In addition to grant-making and fundraising, community leadership is central to the Foundation’s work. In 2024, the Foundation raised nearly $720,000 for its Civic Leadership Fund.

 This annual fund enables the Foundation to go beyond traditional grant-making to work with community partners and decision-makers to solve critical community challenges through convening and advocacy, and by providing opportunities for Rhode Islanders to engage in civic life.

  “Our donors understand that responsiveness requires flexibility, innovation and the resources to take on pressing issues as they arise. Their generosity enabled us to tackle challenges like the housing shortage by funding a public education campaign in support of the $120 million housing bond last November,” said Cicilline.

 The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Through civic leadership, fundraising and grant-making activities, together with neighbors and partners, the Foundation is helping to create progress that lasts. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.