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Dozens of nonprofits across the state will share $6.1 million in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation to help people with health care, housing, hunger and other crucial needs.

“More than 2,000 community members contributed to the creation of our new Five-Year Action Plan, which focuses our work on crucial community priorities like housing and economic mobility, healthy and strong communities, and education and student success,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO.

The R.I. Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, Gotta Have Sole in Cranston and the North Kingstown Food Pantry are among the nearly 150 nonprofit organizations that were awarded grants.

The R.I. Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs received $100,000 to support ‘Power Hour’ homework and academic support programs at the East Providence, Newport, Northern Rhode Island, Pawtucket, Providence and Warwick clubs. The afterschool program for youth ages 5 to 18 supports academic success by providing homework assistance, tutoring and high-yield learning activities that encourage them to become self-directed learners. Last year, the program served 1,440 young people, according to the Alliance.

“Our Power Hour program is more than just homework help; it is a structured learning environment designed to bridge opportunity gaps, reinforce classroom learning and equip middle and high school students with the skills to become independent learners,” said Erin Gilliatt, executive director of the East Providence Boys & Girls Clubs, who also leads the Alliance. “By providing targeted academic support after school, Power Hour extends the reach of Rhode Island’s education system, ensuring students stay engaged, confident and on track for graduation.”

Gotta Have Sole in Cranston received $10,000 to build the capacity of its board of directors to keep pace with growing demand for the organization’s core service, providing new properly fitting shoes to children experiencing homelessness. Gotta Have Sole estimates it has provided footwear to more than 125,000 children over the years.

“Homelessness puts children at greater risk for chronic health issues, social isolation, and educational disruptions. Unlike used shoe donations, our model ensures children receive high-quality, properly fitting footwear, which fosters dignity, confidence and belonging. By providing new shoes, we remove a fundamental barrier to their physical, emotional and social well-being, allowing them to fully engage in school, play and after-school activities,” said Nicholas Lowinger, founder and executive director. “Expanding our capacity will allow us to reach even more children in Rhode Island, strengthening communities by addressing an urgent yet often invisible need.”

The North Kingstown Food Pantry received $5,000 to re-stock its shelves during a period of high demand from residents, who may select items based on household size and food preferences, choosing from proteins, dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and staple items. The food pantry, which is generally open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., also provides some basic hygiene and cleaning supplies.

“Our clients normally make appointments and shop with the assistance of a volunteer. In addition, there is a monthly program for senior citizens and North Kingstown school-age children who qualify for free and reduced meals at school,” said Kimberly Page, the organization’s president. “We are always seeking additional opportunities to reach out to those with a food insecurity through the schools, the North Kingstown Senior Center, Kingstown Crossing, newspapers, libraries, the internet and other agencies.”

Other recipients include Child and Family Services of Newport County, Climate Action Rhode Island 350, the Olneyville Neighborhood Association, the Jonnycake Center of Westerly, the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter and the Valley Affordable Housing Corporation in Cumberland. The full list of grant recipients is posted at rifoundation.org/recentgrantees.

Many of the grants are the first from the Foundation’s new Community Priority and Capacity Building grant programs, which the Foundation launched earlier this year as part of its new Five-Year Action Plan.

Two million dollars in grants were earmarked for organizations whose services to Rhode Islanders are affected by the loss of federal funding due to recent actions in Washington.

“What is happening in D.C. has a real impact on the work of our nonprofit partners, and most importantly, the thousands of people they serve every day. Rhode Islanders are facing empty shelves at food pantries, job cuts, small business assistance drying up, Head Start programs going dark and children going hungry,” said Cicilline.

The nonprofits that applied report losing or standing to lose millions of dollars in federal funding to support their work in health care, housing, hunger relief, job training and more. In addition, nearly 90 per cent said they have or will have to cut services to Rhode Islanders.

About $160,000 of the $6.1 million in funding is through the Foundation’s Basic Human Needs grant program, which supports community agencies that provide emergency assistance to Rhode Islanders most in need. Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded to community-based programs that provide direct assistance for food, clothing and housing, among other crucial needs.

The Foundation will begin taking applications for Round 2 of the Community Priority Grants, Capacity Building Grants and Basic Human Needs Grants program Aug. 1.

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.