Six Warwick non-profits received word of grant awards totaling $403,811 last week from the Champlin Foundation with the announcement of $10 million in capital funding to 93 Rhode Island organizations.

The $10 million in awards  brings Champlin  2023 funding total to  nearly $18 million.

From Woonsocket to Peace Dale to Newport, 24 communities statewide will be served with these grants, which will be used to restore historic properties, expand facilities, improve safety, and enhance outreach capabilities.

Warwick organizations and the amounts of the grants they will receive are: In Sight, $75,000 for restroom accessibility; Mentor Rhode Island, $77,000 for community training room equipment; Sargent Rehabilitation Center, $82,565 for a safety walkway and childhood play and observation area; Thundermist Health Center on Service Avenue, $126,888 for a mobile medical van and the Warwick Police Athletic League, $25,000 for a roof replacement and A/C repair.  Also,  the MS Dream Center, based in Warwick, which  provides a place of connection and support for people with multiple sclerosis and their families, and offers a wide range of programs, free of charge, from fitness and reiki to classes on art, brain development, and meditation, will receive $17,360 toward space upgrades including plumbing and electrical needs.

While longtime grantees like Girl Scouts and YMCAs statewide continue to put Champlin funding to good use, the Foundation also provides support to a robust group of small nonprofits that make an outsized difference in the communities they serve. 

“Rhode Island nonprofits are incredibly creative when it comes to doing more with less and providing excellent service and support despite having very limited staff or, in some cases, an entirely volunteer-led operation,” said Nina Stack, executive director of The Champlin Foundation. “It is always impressive to see how many of these small teams are doing essential work, serving the urgent needs and addressing the wellbeing of Rhode Islanders in innovative and impactful ways.”

 Champlin’s nine areas of focus are arts and culture, conservation and parks, education, healthcare, historic preservation and heritage, libraries, social services, welfare of animals, and youth services. Examples of nonprofits that are small but strong can be found in nearly every category, including Rhode Island Black Storytellers in arts and culture, Rhode Island Women in the Trades in education, and the MS Dream Center in social services. 

Eleven of the organizations receiving funding in this cycle are first-time Champlin grantees, at a time when the Foundation continues to increase outreach and seeks to make its processes more streamlined and accessible. In the past two years, Champlin successfully transitioned to an online application portal and shifted to a twice-a-year grant distribution cycle—meaningful organizational changes made possible with the support of the Distribution Committee. 

 The Foundation’s Distribution Committee has had a change this year with Linda Newton stepping down and Marie Ghazal stepping in. Ghazal recently retired as the CEO of the Rhode Island Free Clinic. 

“With wisdom and passion, Linda helped us to see the world differently. She helped guide The Champlin Foundation to recognize how it can better serve the people of our state—all the people of our state,” said Stack. “Linda’s departure is certainly a loss, but we feel quite fortunate to have Marie joining the Committee, bringing her years of healthcare experience to our work.”  

The Committee also elected a new slate of officers for 2024. Ted Wetherill will step down as Chair after three terms. Dione Kenyon will serve as Chair, Judge Edward Clifton as Vice Chair, and Dr. Jose Polanco as Secretary.  

In addition to the Distribution Committee changes, the Foundation also recognized the retirement of longtime Director of Grant Administration Tim Gorham, who has been with the Foundation for 24 years. Stack stated “Tim and his family’s connection to George Champlin and the Foundation spans a century. Throughout his time, Tim’s contribution to the work of Champlin is truly unprecedented, having considered untold numbers of grant requests, making thousands of visits to hundreds of organizations, and distributing funding across Rhode Island. It is quite remarkable.”