PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND – The Papitto Opportunity Connection (POC) announced today it has awarded more than $4.3 million in grants to non-profit organizations across the state working with Rhode Island’s communities most in need. The awards include a $1-Million Innovation Challenge Grant given to The Clinic at Amos House, as well as operational funding provided to 136 other non-profit organizations.

“Today, the critical work of non-profits committed to driving systemic change for communities most in need is under attack,” said John A. Tarantino, POC Managing Trustee. “As we have since our founding in 2020, POC remains committed to making investments to organizations that make connections, eliminate barriers to success, and clear pathways to learning.”

A prime example of working to create systemic change is the Clinic at Amos House, a first of its kind program that will increase access to behavioral health and primary care services for justice involved individuals and people in recovery in Rhode Island. POC’s $1-Million Innovation Grant will allow a pilot program to expand at Amos House’s Community Center – a center in Providence that provides critical resources to more than 1,000 individuals daily.  In 2024, POC awarded its first ever $1 Million Innovation Grant to the Brown University Health Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program, which will allow for expansion and enable it to become a regional leader and a national model for sickle cell care.

The POC Million Dollar Innovation Challenge supports programming that is designed to create systemic change for communities most in need in the areas of education, skills training, entrepreneurship, healthcare or housing. Nonprofits are encouraged to collaborate on proposals to leverage resources and cultivate partnerships. POC’s Small Grant Program has provided operational funding to more than 350 Rhode Island-based 501-C-3 organizations with demonstrated needs of varying sizes.

Applications for both grants, which will be awarded through a competitive RFP process, will be accepted June 1-15 and December 1-15 via an online application portal. All organizations applying for a grant must submit an online application to be considered– this applies to first time grants, and those organizations seeking additional funding.

About POC
The Papitto Opportunity Connection (POC) is a non-profit private foundation dedicated to listening and working together with Rhode Island’s communities in need to empower and create systemic change by investing in education, job skills training, health care and entrepreneurship. Established in December 2020, POC has invested more than $100 million dollars to support programs that provide crucial services that uplift Rhode Island’s communities in need. Learn more at POCFoundation.com