The 2017 J.M.K Innovation Prize

The J.M. Kaplan Fund will award up to 10 prizes to nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits tackling the country’s most pressing needs through social innovation.  The Prize provides up to three years of support at $50,000 per year, as well as a $25,000 “bank” of funds available for technical assistance or targeted project expenses, making a total award of $175,000.  The Prize seeks to support innovation in the fields of the environment, heritage conservation and social justice.  Please distribute to your community partners who might be suited to apply.  Applications will be accepted until April 28. For more information

Grantmakers in the Arts’ Web Conference on Arts, Environment and Place

Grantmakers in the Arts will be hosting a web conference, Arts, Environment, and Place, on Tuesday, December 6 at 2:00pm, which is a valuable follow-up the GCRI’s September Creative Placemaking roundtable. This session will discuss how funders can think about arts strategies to support place-based work that addresses environmental sustainability. Alexis Frasz will present Helicon Collaborative’s research on how culture is supporting environmental efforts in communities across the country and F. Javier Torres will discuss how ArtPlace America is connecting art with environment in its creative placemaking work.  Register

Creative Placemaking Roundtable September 23

GCRI Creative Placemaking Roundtable for Funders on September 23

GCRI is excited to welcome Jamie Bennett, Executive Director of ArtPlace America, for our September 23 Creative Placemaking session, which will be held at Southside Culture Center from 10am-noon.  ArtPlace America is one of the nation’s leading organizations in engaging the public, private and nonprofit sectors in collaborative initiatives to build local communities’ livability, safety, identity, diversity and economic vitality by engaging the arts as a foundational strategy and value.   Come learn about innovative approaches both within Rhode Island and across the country, and see firsthand some of the creative projects in our state.

RI SNAP Employment and Training Funds Can Help Donor Investments Multiply Impact

Just a reminder to RI funders who support workforce development initiatives — the portion of those programs that provide services to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients can be reimbursed up to 50% through the RI SNAP E&T program administered by LISC RI.  This means that donor funds can initiate expanded offerings and reach a wider audience.  The intent to apply is due June 22, but applications will be accepted until December 15, 2016 for a later implementation start date.  For more information or contact Claudia Staniszewski at cstaniszewski@lisc.org.