Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation Awards $234,000 in Grants to 24 Organizations Throughout Rhode Island and Connecticut
Investments support community development, housing initiatives, and efforts to alleviate food insecurity.
The Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation has awarded $234,299 in funding to 24 organizations throughout Rhode Island and Connecticut as part of their Q3 2024 funding cycle.
“As a community bank, our mission is to help strengthen communities across Rhode Island and Connecticut. These grants reflect our dedication to partnering with local nonprofits that work tirelessly to address community needs and life-changing work,” Paola Fernandez, SVP, Community Development Officer at Centreville Bank. “We are honored to play a role in helping address critical needs, strengthen our neighborhoods and empower individuals and families to thrive.”
Local Return is one of the Rhode Island non-profits receiving awards. Local Return is a newly created organization with the goal of building community wealth in Rhode Island through local ownership and investment in real estate projects and related ventures, particularly in neighborhoods that have experienced disinvestment. The funds will be used to help launch a pilot program in Providence.
“Thanks to this grant from the Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation, Local Return will bring the Jumpstart real estate development education, training, and networking program to Providence in 2025, aligned with Rhode Island's first-ever community investment fund. Real estate development is an important strategy for people who have been shut out of traditional wealth-building opportunities,” said Jessica David, Co-Founder and President, Local Return. “This grant will help us to ensure that local residents own and benefit from development of neighborhoods assets.”
Community Health Resources is one of seven Connecticut non-profits receiving awards. President and CEO Heather Gates says this will support women who have completed the organization’s intensive treatment for substance use disorders continue their recovery and wellness journeys.
“We are so grateful to the Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation for their continued support for individuals receiving life-saving care through CHR’s programs in northeastern CT. This funding will help individuals and families who are rebuilding their lives and need vital assistance with housing, food, clothing, and other support,” said Heather Gates, President and CEO of non-profit behavioral healthcare provider Community Health Resources (CHR), which has offices in Danielson and Putnam. “Continued support from Centreville Bank will go far to help individuals and families in need. We are deeply appreciative. Centreville Bank is a wonderful neighbor!”
The Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation was established as a non-profit charitable organization in 2008 by the Board of Trustees to further the philanthropic mission of Centreville Bank. The Foundation strives to support local community-based organizations tackling the most significant challenges and helping meet the needs of underserved populations throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island. Grants are considered quarterly focusing on the following priority areas: education success, economic security, and capacity building.
Rhode Island organizations receiving third quarter grants:
- Rhode Island Business Development Institute: Funding will support program services dedicated to advancing the economic opportunities of Black-owned and minority businesses and individuals in Rhode Island.
- House of Hope CDC: Funds will support the ECHO Village initiative which will offer shelter to individuals who are experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island.
- Local Return: Funding will support a pilot program in Providence focused on helping Rhode Island families and communities control their own economic destiny and financial prosperity across the state’s urban neighborhoods.
- Meals on Wheels: Funding will support the ongoing Emergency Meals Program funded by Centreville Bank.
- Crossroads Rhode Island: Funding will support their Housing Problem Solving Program for households at risk of homelessness.
- Community Prep School: Funds will be used for a student tuition scholarship.
- Sojourner House: Grant funds will support the organization’s operations.
- United Way of RI: Represents the bank’s Charitable Foundation’s Employee match from Annual Giving Campaign.
- North Kingstown Food Pantry: Funding will be used to support the organization’s Food Nutrition Program.
- Rhode Island Community Food Bank: Grant funds will support food procurement to help address food insecurity in Rhode Island.
- West Warwick Assistance Agency Inc.: Funds will provide aid to food grant requests.
- Jonnycake Center of Westerly: Funding will be used to support the organization’s food pantry.
- Coventry Housing Authority: Funds will be used to help support the Coventry Housing Assistance Fund.
- Innovation Studio: Grant funds will go towards the Biz Bodega and Pathways to Entrepreneurship Program.
- Amenity Aid: Support for addressing hygiene needs in Rhode Island.
- Sargent Rehabilitation Center: Funds will support the expansion of an equine therapy program.
- Comprehensive Community Action Inc.: Funding will support food security initiatives in Rhode Island.
Connecticut organizations receiving third quarter grants:
- Community Health Resources: Funds will be used for the organization’s New Life and Milestone program, supporting women who have undergone intensive treatment for substance use disorders.
- EastConn: Funds will be used to replace outdated network equipment in two buildings to meet the current demands of modern instructional technology.
- Day Kimball Healthcare Foundation: Grant money will provide aid to the cancer fund.
- Rose City Learning Center: Funds will provide support to the Norwich Adult English Proficiency/Workforces Program.
- Higher Edge: Funds will support the organization’s College Access Program.
- Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board Inc: Grant funds will help support the CT Youth Employment Program.
- New London Community Meal Cent: Funding will be used to support community meals.
