Central Providence Opportunities Resident Advisory Council Community Impact Fund

Central Providence Opportunities Resident Advisory Council Community Impact Fund

Funder: ONE Neighborhood Builders (ONE|NB), administered by the Central Providence Opportunities Resident Advisory Council

Status: Active funding program with multiple rounds

Geographic Scope: Limited to ZIP codes 02908 and 02909 in central Providence, Rhode Island

Background: Central Providence Opportunities is an $8 million initiative designed to improve economic mobility for residents in central Providence. The initiative was announced by Governor Gina Raimondo in December 2020 and is funded by Blue Meridian Partners over two years, managed by the Rhode Island Foundation. The 18-member Resident Advisory Council (RAC) was formed to reflect the diversity of Central Providence and ensure authentic engagement from residents most impacted by economic insecurity.

Award Details:

Individual grant amount: Up to $5,000 per project

Total fund: $200,000

Funding rounds: At least two rounds over 18 months

First round awards: Fall 2021

Project completion deadline: August 31, 2022

Focus Areas & Eligible Activities:

Neighborhood beautification projects

Support and promotion of local entrepreneurs

Neighborhood-based coordination and information-sharing

Youth engagement or resident empowerment

Amplification of local voices

Civic engagement initiatives

Activities that directly benefit well-being and quality of life

Eligible Applicants:

Nonprofit organizations

Small businesses meeting micro-enterprise definition (9 or fewer employees)

Resident-led collaborations (2 or more entities)

Organizations without physical headquarters but working in target ZIP codes

Applicants do NOT need to be 501(c)(3) organizations

Geographic Requirements:

Recipients must be located in ZIP codes 02908 or 02909

Projects must be delivered/located in ZIP codes 02908 or 02909

Serves nine neighborhoods: Hartford, Manton, Olneyville, Federal Hill, Smith Hill, Silver Lake, Elmhurst, Mount Pleasant, and Valley

What They DON'T Fund:

Political campaigns

Individual applicants (must be organizational entity)

Evaluation Criteria:

Community Engagement: Project brings people together and engages or deepens participation of residents

Impact: Project has potential to improve quality of life and economic/social well-being

Collaboration: Encourages partnerships between multiple entities (encouraged but not required)

Alignment: Synergy with other CPO efforts/strategies and coordination among partners

Contact Information:

Phone: (401) 351-8719

ONE Neighborhood Builders

Website: oneneighborhoodbuilders.org