Dorcas International received additional funding from Rhode Island Foundation to help RI’ers cope with continuing effects of COVID-19 crisis

The Rhode Island Foundation has awarded an additional $550,000 in grants from its COVID-19 Response Fund to help RI’ers cope with the continuing effects of the pandemic. With this most recent round, Foundation has awarded $7.3 million in grants since launching the fund nearly one year ago.

“Even though the situation appears to be improving, we never stopped raising money and making grants to benefit Rhode Islanders hit hard by the crisis,” said Neil D. Steinberg. “We will continue working with dedicated and generous donors from throughout the state and tireless nonprofit partners as Rhode Island moves from crisis relief to long-term recovery.”

The latest recipients include the Dorcas International Institute in Providence, Operation Stand Down in Johnston, the Samaritans in Pawtucket, Turning Around Ministries in Newport and the WARM Shelter in Westerly.

Dorcas International will use the funding to help members of the Narragansett tribe with rent, utilities, transportation, essential PPE products, and other basic needs. The organization expects to serve approximately 40 tribal households.

“Many of the families are not able to access public assistance, and without a sufficient safety net in the community, we continue to see the increasing need for financial assistance and other wraparound services for this population,” said Executive Director Kathleen Cloutier. “These funds will be vital to prevent homelessness and will allow us to support families in meeting their immediate needs.”

The Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund was launched in March 2020, initially in partnership with the United Way of Rhode Island. The $7.3 million in grants awarded to date reflect only the grantmaking by the Foundation. Nearly 150 nonprofits received grants. See the list of COVID-19 Response Fund grantees.

The full article is available at: https://rifoundation.org/news/rhode-island-foundation-awards-an-additional-550-000-in-grants-to-help-riers-cope-with-continuing-effects-of-covid-19-crisis

More on this topic from The Associated Pressand Providence Business News.