RI Foundation offers help to local charities

PROVIDENCE – If inspiring philanthropy is one of your New Year’s resolutions, the Rhode Island Foundation can help.

Under the Giving Circles initiative, the Foundation will select up to six individual applicants who will commit to recruiting a group of family, friends and others to contribute to local charities. The Foundation will then match up to $5,000 in donations made by the members of these six giving circles.

“We know that giving is a very personal decision. And we know that relationships and peer networks are often influential,” said Neil Steinberg, president and CEO. “That is why we’re testing an approach to encourage Rhode Islanders to tap in to their networks of family, friends and neighbors to participate inthis collective form of philanthropy.”

Rhode Island ranks low nationally for charitable giving as a percentage of income. The state came in 47th in the latest report by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

“Data aside, we see and hear it every day; nonprofit organizations are struggling to find funds to test new ideas, bring proven programs to scale or fully meet community needs,” said Steinberg. “Our goal is to build a culture of philanthropy here by increasing giving activity and engagement among more Rhode Islanders.”

But don't wait. Deadline to apply for this latest initiative is Jan. 31. The application is posted at rifoundation.org.

The Foundation will provide up to $5,000 in matching funds for up to six of these giving circle groups statewide. Applicants must identify the potential members of their giving circle and agree to commit one hour per week for one year to managing their group. Only donations to Rhode Island-based, federally tax exempt nonprofits are eligible to be matched by the Foundation.

The Foundation will select participants based on the demonstrated leadership of the applicants, the extent that the giving circles are representative of the state’s diverse population and the feasibility of the proposal given the stakeholders and available resources.

In addition to the matching grants, the Foundation will offer recipients a communications and fundraising toolkit, staff support and meeting space.

The Foundation plans to use the pilot Giving Circles initiative to test the feasibility of launching a permanent program.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. In 2015, the Foundation awarded a record $41.5 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.