BankNewport Charitable Foundation Awards $420,000 in Fall 2024 Grants

Funds support the work of over 45 organizations throughout Rhode Island, and communities affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton across the Southeast

Newport, RI – The BankNewport Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its Fall 2024 grants. These grants will support over 45 organizations throughout Rhode Island that assist with arts and culture, basic needs, children and families, economic security, education, food security, healthy lives, and housing.

“BankNewport is proud to continue its longstanding tradition of supporting organizations that strengthen and uplift our communities,” said Jack Murphy, President and CEO, BankNewport. “These grants reflect our commitment to addressing critical needs across the state and empowering organizations that make a positive difference every day.”

Among the recipients, the BankNewport Charitable Foundation also recommended a $100,000 grant to support the Newport Historical Society renovation campaign for the Center for Black History at the historic Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House.

Additionally, the Bank’s Board of Directors approved a $25,000 donation to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in response to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The funds will assist the American Red Cross’ ongoing work across the Southeast, providing essential supplies, meals, and support services to communities affected by the hurricanes.

“Supporting those in need during times of crisis is at the core of BankNewport’s community values, even when those needs aren’t in our own backyard,” continued Murphy. “We are honored to contribute to the American Red Cross and their tireless efforts to bring comfort and relief to families impacted by these hurricanes.”

Recipients of the Fall 2024 grants include:

Arts & Culture:

• Battle of Rhode Island 1778 Association, to support its Living History event and digital outreach program.
• Bristol Middle Passage, in support of its Middle Passage memorial installation.
• Empowerment Factory, to support the Children’s Arts Program.
• Newport Festivals Foundation, to provide free music lessons for students in need.
• Portsmouth Historical Society, for accessibility improvements.
• Redwood Library and Athenaeum, for its community exhibition and programming.
• Rhode Island Philharmonic, to support its LinkUp music literacy program.
• Wickford Art Association, in support of its storage infrastructure project.

Basic Needs:

• Amenity Aid, providing hygiene support for individuals in need.
• Crossroads Rhode Island, to help provide 24-hour essential support services.
• Children’s Friend and Service, in support of its warm clothing program for families.
• Emmanuel Church, to support their Community Bridge access improvements.
• MAE Organization, to provide food, shelter, and essentials to those in need.
• St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Lucy’s Conference, Middletown, for housing and utility assistance.

Children & Families:

• Boys Town New England, for its family residential and support programs.
• Girls on the Run, to provide access to physical, social and emotional learning opportunities.
• Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, to provide support for its Young Women’s Initiative.

Economic Security:

• Entrepreneurship for All, to accelerate economic impact through inclusive entrepreneurship.
• Innovation Studio, for Biz Bodega and Pathways to Entrepreneurship program.
• Social Enterprise Greenhouse, to support GROW community economic development expansion.

Education/Workforce:

• Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket, for out of school time youth programming.
• Books Are Wings, for strategic literacy partnerships.
• Boys & Girls Club of Warwick, to support Cooper teen center youth entrepreneurship program.
• Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation, to support programming for underserved youth programming.
• DownCity Design, to support youth technological skills in design, manufacturing and  fabrication.
• Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, for its AgInnovation farm program.
• Genesis Center, in support of Bridge to Careers adult career education and services.
• Inspiring Minds, for in-school tutoring and mentoring opportunities.
• Newport Community School, for its GED and English program expansion.
• Providence Promise, for early scholarship financial empowerment program.
• Sail Newport, in support of Pell elementary school science and sailing program.
• Save the Bay, to support student environmental education for Sackett Street School, Providence.

Food Security:

• Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island, for its Seafood to Schools initiative.
• McAuley Ministries, to provide healthy meals for those in need and in support of the  food pantry.
• Rhode Island Community Food Bank, to help distribute food to those in need.
• We Share Hope, for its school food pantry program.

Healthy Lives:

• The Groden Network, to provide assistive technology for students.
• John Clarke Nursing & Retirement Center, for wheelchair accessible transportation.
• Seven Hills Rhode Island, to procure technology for therapeutic services.
• The Providence Center, to support mental health service for students.

Housing:

• Child & Family Services, for its supportive housing program.
• House of Hope Community Development Corporation, for its shelter village program.
• Jonnycake Center for Hope, in support of affordable housing services and renovations.
• Kent County Community Development, to provide repairs for affordable housing units.
• Pawtucket Central Falls Development, for its homeownership program.

About BankNewport:

Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island. BankNewport is one of the longest-standing community banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and communities. BankNewport has nineteen branch locations, a community lending center in Central Falls, and a commercial lending office in Providence. OceanPoint Marine Lending, a business line of BankNewport, specializes in consumer marine and recreational vehicle financing programs.

Through its All In Giving program, BankNewport is committed to supporting nonprofits with areas of impact focused on basic human needs, children and families, education, economic security, healthy lives, arts and culture, and the environment. BankNewport has awarded over $9.8 million in grants, sponsorships, and donations over the past ten years to a wide range of nonprofits to help strengthen and enrich lives and communities throughout Rhode Island. Financial education and community service performed by employees totals 10,000 hours annually. For more information, please visit www.BankNewport.com.