The Rhode Island Foundation announced last week that Westbay Community Action, Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick and House of Hope are among 18 Warwick nonprofits that received more than $2 million in grants to provide housing, food and behavioral health services. The funding was through $20 million ARPA Nonprofit Support Program.

“We are grateful that state leaders believed in our capacity to quickly get this funding into the hands of the nonprofit organizations that are doing the boots-on-the-ground work helping those in their communities recover from the pandemic’s continuing impact on their daily lives," Neil D. Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO. Said in a statement.

 Governor Dan McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio tapped the Foundation to distribute the funding from Rhode Island’s $1.1 billion share of the federal American Rescue Plan Act allocation for COVID-19 recovery.

 “Thank you to Neil Steinberg and the Rhode Island Foundation for getting this critical funding out the door so quickly,” said Speaker Shekarchi. “In just six months, the Rhode Island Foundation has deployed $20 million to the organizations that are many of the unsung heroes of the pandemic, supporting Rhode Islanders as we collectively get back on our feet and move forward. Thank you to all of the grant recipients for your great work.”.

 The $20 million the Foundation has awarded since December is the single largest pool of grants in the organization’s 107-year-history.

 “Our nonprofits and community organizations provided critical on the ground supports to Rhode Islanders throughout the COVID pandemic even while facing negative economic impacts themselves,” said Governor McKee. “I want to thank the Rhode Island Foundation for quickly distributing these funds to 240 organizations throughout the state to help them as they continue to recover and grow out of the pandemic.”

 The grants targeted organizations that experienced negative economic impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation gave priority to community-based nonprofits serving communities where the need is highest.

 Westbay will use its grant to re-stock its five-day-a-week food pantry as well as to support its other services for residents of Kent County. The Warwick-based nonprofit estimates its food pantry and home delivery services help approximately 20,000 people a year.

 “Without the support of our services our community would struggle to meet the everyday needs of their households,” said Paul Salera, Westbay’s president and CEO. “We help countless numbers of individuals and families stay housed, keep the heat on and enjoy fresh and non-perishable pantry staples; as well as providing pantry delivery services for residents who are homebound and vulnerable.”

 The other Warwick organizations receiving grants are Amenity Aid, R.I. Student Assistance Services, the Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, Friends Way, Integrated Healthcare Partners, the Trudeau Center, Mentor Rhode Island, the Parent Support Network of R.I., the R.I. Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the R.I. Parent Information Network, the Sargent Rehabilitation Center, the Substance Use and Mental Health Leadership Council of R.I., Thrive Behavioral Health, Thundermist Health Center and VNA of Care New England.

 The Foundation announced the first $8.3 million in grants to 91 nonprofits last December. The final $11.7 million in grants were awarded to 149 organizations over the past four months.

 The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised more than $75 million and awarded nearly $84 million in grants last year. Through leadership, fundraising and grant-making activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org