BankNewport Awards $130,000 in Community Fund Grants

Four Newport Organizations Receive Aid

NEWPORT, R.I. (December 28, 2020) – BankNewport is pleased to announce that it has awarded $130,000 in grants to community organizations throughout Rhode Island. Twenty-five organizations that provide services related to food insecurity, mental health, distance learning, minority-owned small business, and underserved populations received the funding.

“We are humbled to have the opportunity to provide these proactive grants to 25 incredible organizations,” said Sandra J. Pattie, President & CEO, BankNewport. “In the best of times, these agencies work on shoestring budgets, and this year has been especially difficult. We are so appreciative of the work they do, despite many challenges, to bring hope and dignity to those most in need.”

In Newport, the MLK Community Center, Women’s Resource Center (WRC), Newport Mental Health, and FabNewport each received a $5,000 grant to support their efforts.

“I think it’s going to be a long and difficult winter for many in our community,” said Heather Strout, Executive Director of the MLK Community Center. “The demand for our services is higher than it has been in recent memory and I can see the worry in the faces of our clients like I’ve never seen before. This support from BankNewport could not come at a better time.”

“The Women’s Resource Center relies on charitable giving to support our ability to empower victims of domestic violence on their personal journeys toward safety, and further empower our community on the collective journey toward fostering environments that support the health and well-being of all people,” said Jessica Walsh, Executive Director, Women’s Resource Center. “With the uncertainty of funding sources during these unprecedented times, BankNewport’s support will help sustain the array of services that victims need as they seek safety and eventually live a self-sustaining life, free from domestic violence.”

“COVID has had a devastating impact on our children, many who’ve been stuck at home, inside, for months staring at computers” said Steve Heath, Executive Director, FabNewport. “This grant will help our team spend time connecting with our neediest students, and identify their needs as part our Trust Building Campaign to engage more deeply with families in the North End community and build stronger working relationships with school-based and community-based educators.”

About BankNewport

Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island. With $2.0 billion in assets, BankNewport is one of the oldest community banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees and communities. BankNewport has 17 branch locations, with commercial lending offices in Cumberland and Providence. BankNewport business lines include OceanPoint Marine Lending, specializing in consumer marine and recreational vehicle financing programs, and OceanPoint Insurance, a Trusted Choice independent insurance agency, providing a broad range of property casualty insurance products, including employee benefits and marine related insurance products.