Cox Employees Award $55,000 to Rhode Island Nonprofits

Cox Communications employees have awarded a total of $55,000 in grants to 11 local nonprofits, through Cox Charities Community Investment Grants. The program provides employee funded grants of up to $5,000 to support a special program benefiting residents in the area. Earlier this year, organizations were invited to submit applications for funding. This year’s recipients of the Cox Charities Community Investment Grants are:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island - The organization’s STEAM Club will engage 50 Matches in hands-on learning through activities like AI literacy, chemistry experiments, recyclable art and engineering challenges—culminating in a field trip to the Boston Museum of Science. This grant will enhance these experiences by providing materials, expanding access and strengthening mentor-mentee bonds.
• Boys & Girls Club of East Providence - STEM to STERN is a unique program that combines STEM education with rowing for middle school youth in East Providence, especially those from under-resourced communities. Through hands-on learning and water-based exploration, students discover physics, engineering, and environmental science while building confidence and teamwork. Through this grant, the BGC can cover transportation, supplies, safety gear, and snacks, ensuring every participant can join at no cost.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick - The Club at Cooper provides a safe, creative space for middle and high school youth—especially those who don’t connect with traditional school or sports programs. The Club offers critical support through mentorship and enrichment. With this grant from Cox Charities, the Club will expand its Full STEAM Ahead initiative, offering hands-on learning in 3D design, audio production, digital arts, and more.
• DownCity Design - DownCity Design’s Teen STEAM Studio engages over 300 Providence County teens in year-round design and innovation programs. Through summer labs and afterschool sessions, youth build real-world skills in technology, engineering, and creative problem-solving. DownCity Design will expand access to digital design tools, deepen industry partnerships, and reach more young innovators—empowering diverse youth to thrive in STEAM fields with the help of this grant.
• Junior Achievement of Rhode Island - Thanks to this grant, Junior Achievement will bring financial literacy and career readiness programs to young people throughout Rhode Island with hands-on learning and connecting education to real-world skills.
• Progreso Latino - Progreso Latino’s Youth Mentorship & Entrepreneurship Program is a year-round initiative that empowers multilingual, newcomer youth through a STEAM-focused curriculum blending science, technology, arts, and business with mentorship and hands-on learning. The Cox Charities grant will help expand access to bilingual youth, support mentor training, and provide essential materials for hands-on projects like product design, hydroponics, and financial literacy.
• Save the Bay, Inc. - Save The Bay, Inc. is delivering STEM-infused environmental education to students in K-12 grade. Students will explore watersheds, meet Narragansett Bay species, and engage in hands-on science activities—from habitat restoration to climate change lessons—all aligned with Rhode Island’s science standards. With the grant from Cox Charities students will learn and become the next generation of environmental stewards.
• STEAMBox - STEAMBox Media Program empowers students through hands-on learning in video and audio production, journalism, and digital storytelling. With guidance from instructors and mentors, students create content that reflects their schools and communities—supporting the globally ranked STEAMBox podcast (#1 in education, 2021). With the Cox Charities grant students will gain access to professional tools, mentorship, and real-world experiences.
• The Empowerment Factory - The Empowerment Factory (TEF) provides free, community-based STEAM programs to low-income students across all ten elementary schools in Pawtucket. With support from Cox Charities, TEF will deliver Reading Adventures: Trash to Treasures, a creative STEAM initiative that blends literacy, environmental education, and hands-on artmaking.
• Winner’s Circle XR Academy - Winner’s Circle XR Academy provides an immersive after-school STEAM programs empowering young people with hands-on experiences in robotics, drone aviation, VR/AR, and game design. With support of Cox Charities, students will gain real-world tech skills, build confidence, and explore STEAM careers.
• Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council - Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council will provide youth programs that connect students to environmental science, outdoor exploration, and bicycle safety. Programs like Environmental Leaders @ The Met, River Adventurers, Fish in the Classroom, Birds of a Feather, and Rhode to Bicycle Safety engage students from grades 3–12 in hands-on learning. The grant from Cox Charities will empower youth to become environmental stewards, confident leaders and active community members.

“It takes a village to raise a child,” said Gail Ahlers, founder and executive director of The Empowerment Factory. “The Empowerment Factory appreciates the support from Cox Charities that enables us to positively impact the lives of children in Rhode Island.”

“Progreso Latino is deeply honored to be selected as a 2025 Cox Charities recipient,” added Mario Bueno, Progreso Latino executive director. “This $5,000 grant will help us expand our Youth Mentorship and Entrepreneurship Program, giving more young people the tools, guidance, and confidence they need to build their futures.”

Cox Charities is a charitable giving initiative of Cox Communications fully funded by Cox employees and business partners. The funds raised are then invested annually as Cox Charities Community Investment Grants to organizations that align with our focus areas of youth innovation programs focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM); conservation and sustainability initiatives; and equal opportunity. A total of $315,000 is being awarded to 63 grant recipients throughout Cox’s East Region.

“Supporting our community isn’t just part of our job, it’s who we are at Cox. Whether it’s our employees giving money from their own pockets to fund these local nonprofit grants, or rolling up our sleeves to volunteer, our team shows up with heart and purpose,” said Rob Brill, Cox New England market vice president. “This community means a lot to us, and I’m incredibly proud of how our employees continue to make a real difference every day.”

For more information about Cox Charities, visit www.CoxCharitiesNE.org.