BankNewport Awards $480K+ to Support RI Nonprofits This Fall

BankNewport Awards Over $480,000 in Fall 2025 
Charitable Foundation and Proactive Grants
Funding supports over 50 nonprofit organizations throughout Rhode Island

The BankNewport Charitable Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its Fall 2025 grants. Over $480,000 was awarded to more than 50 nonprofit organizations across Rhode Island, underscoring the Bank’s commitment to strengthening communities and supporting programs that foster basic needs, education success, arts and culture, and healthy lives, thriving communities.

“Each grant we award represents a shared investment in Rhode Island’s future,” said Jack Murphy, President and CEO, BankNewport. “We’re proud to partner with organizations that are improving lives, strengthening neighborhoods, and creating lasting change across the state.”

Among the recipients, the BankNewport Charitable Foundation recommended key grants in support of hunger relief initiatives, including $50,000 to the East Bay Food Pantry in Bristol and $30,000 to the North Kingstown Food Pantry to support renovation and expansion projects at their respective facilities, in addition to $10,000 to the Central Falls Foundation for its Mobile Food Pantry and $25,000 to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to help acquire and distribute food for Rhode Islanders in need.

In addition, a major proactive gift in the amount of $100,000 was confirmed by BankNewport’s Board of Directors in response to the Rhode Island Foundation appeal to its Community Partner Resilience Fund, established with   $1 million to support nonprofits and initiatives serving critical needs like healthcare, housing, and hunger services throughout our state. “It’s more important than ever to support nonprofits working tirelessly to serve our neighbors most in need,” stated BankNewport President Jack Murphy.  “The Bank’s gift to the Rhode Island Foundation represents our shared commitment to make an impact during this unprecedented time.”

The BankNewport Charitable Foundation also proactively awarded $8,000 to support local food pantries and meal sites to provide services this holiday season, through Amos House, Barrington TAP-In, Central Falls Food Pantry at Progreso Latino, Connecting for Children and Families, Federal Hill House, Good Neighbors, Johnnycake Center of Peace Dale, Saint Mary of the Bay food pantry, and the Salvation Army Corps in both Newport and Providence.  

BankNewport Charitable Foundation Fall 2025 grant recipients include:

• Adoption Rhode Island, for wrap-around services supporting youth and young adults who are in, or have experienced, foster care.
• Amenity Aid, to address hygiene insecurity and provide essential products to vulnerable populations.
• American Red Cross Rhode Island Chapter, for Home Fire Assistance Program.
• Aquidneck Food Pantry, for food funding appeal.
• BalletRI, for its ProviDANCE afterschool arts education program serving underserved youth in Providence, Pawtucket, and East Providence.
• Battle of Rhode Island 1778 Association, for interpretive signage at Butts Hill Fort in Portsmouth.
• Bike Newport, for its bicycle safety education programs offered in schools and summer camps across Aquidneck Island.
• Better Lives Rhode Island, to support food pantry, community meal, and transitional housing services.
• Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket, to support out-of-school programs focused on academics, the arts, healthy lifestyles, and good citizenship.
• Boys Town New England, for its Family Home Residential Program.
• Child & Family Services, for its Supportive Housing Program with wraparound case management.
• Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation, to expand outreach to historically marginalized youth through partnerships with local schools.
• Crossroads Rhode Island, to sustain 24-hour essential services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
• DaVinci Center for Community Progress, for its Tech Bridge Youth Empowerment and Senior Engagement Program.
• Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, for deer fencing at the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm to protect trees and increase fruit production for food-insecure families.
• Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), for its Business Accelerator Program helping entrepreneurs launch new businesses through mentorship and training.
• The Groden Network, for basic needs support for its Parent and Family Empowerment and Family Preservation Programs.
• Hasbro Children’s Hospital, to support its Pediatric Behavioral Health Unit.
• James L. Maher Center, to support its new satellite office at the East Providence Senior Center.
• Jamestown Historical Society, for signage at five historic properties throughout Jamestown.
• John Clarke Nursing & Retirement Center, for installation of an ADA-compliant walking path.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), for its Neighborhood Development Fund.
• Mae Organization, Inc., to support food and program services.
• McAuley Ministries, for its Healthy Meals, Food Pantries, and Household Necessities Support Program.
• MS Dream Center, for equipment and technology upgrades supporting virtual and expanded programming.
• Newport Community School, for programs addressing health, wellness, and family support in partnership with Newport Public Schools.
• Newport Festivals Foundation, to provide free music lessons and instrument rentals for Newport County students.
• Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust, to advance farm viability and food sovereignty efforts in Rhode Island.
• Providence After School Alliance, to enhance STEM program resources for youth-serving educators.
• Providence Children’s Museum, to expand mental health resources for young children through therapeutic play.
• Providence Promise, for earned incentives for families participating in financial literacy and empowerment programs.
• Rhode Island Free Clinic, for medical and dental supplies.
• Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School, for its Link Up music literacy program for elementary students in Newport and Providence Counties.
• Sail Newport, for its Pell Elementary School Fourth Grade Science and Sailing Program.
• Salve Regina University, for its Community Mobile Health Unit serving Rhode Island communities.
• Save the Bay, for its Narragansett Bay Field Studies Program with Central Falls High School.
• Seven Hills Foundation, to improve technology supporting child and family services for those with developmental disabilities.
• Social Enterprise Greenhouse, to support entrepreneurship education and training programs.
• Sojourner House, for housing and support services for individuals and families impacted by abuse and homelessness.
• Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre & Conservatory, for its Imagination Series school-time arts and STEM performances.
• Youth Pride, Inc., to support its Basic Needs Pantry.
• Winners Circle XR Academy, for robotics and STEAM supplies.

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 oldest banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and the community for 206 years. 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, arts & culture, education success, and healthy lives, thriving communities.  BankNewport has awarded over $7.7 million in grants, sponsorships, and donations over the past five 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.