Rhode Island
Rhode Island Foundation Awards $5.2M to Newport County Nonprofits in Record Grant Year – Newport Buzz
NEWPORT, R.I. — The Rhode Island Foundation awarded more than $5.2 million in grants to Newport County nonprofits in 2025, contributing to a record-setting year for the organization as it marked the largest grant-making total in its 109-year history.
Among the local organizations receiving support were Strategic Prevention Partnerships (SPP) in Portsmouth and Turning Around Ministries in Newport, both working to address urgent community needs.
SPP received $125,000 to expand its No Wrong Door initiative, a program designed to help Newport County firefighters, EMTs and police officers cope with trauma-related anxiety, PTSD and depression.
“Behind their uniforms, many First Responders face mental health challenges stemming from the high-stress nature of the job,” said Rebecca Elwell, SPP’s executive director. “From the increasing day-to-day traumatic events to large-scale incidents, critical calls are becoming more frequent.”
Turning Around Ministries received $70,000 to continue its work helping residents facing financial hardship access affordable housing, workforce development programs and long-term financial stability.
“The number of unhoused and un- or under-employed people in Newport County is increasing, and so is the number of people needing our help,” said Cheryl Robinson, the organization’s president. “Participants know we are there for them and committed for the long haul.”
Other Newport County nonprofits receiving grants include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County, Newport Community School, East Bay Community Action Program, Conexion Latina Newport, Little Compton Community Center, Jamestown Community Food Pantry and the Newport County YMCA.
Statewide, the Rhode Island Foundation awarded a record $93 million to more than 2,600 nonprofit organizations in 2025, while also launching a new Five-Year Action Plan aimed at addressing some of the state’s most pressing challenges.
“Our work last year reflects what the community identified as their priorities and the areas where we could play a deeper role,” said David Cicilline, the foundation’s president and CEO.
The plan focuses on five community priorities: civic and cultural life, climate action and sustainability, education and student success, healthy and strong communities, and housing and economic mobility.
In addition to its record grant-making, the foundation raised $82 million in donations in 2025, its third-best fundraising year.
“The generosity of Rhode Islanders allows us to respond to emerging issues and invest in initiatives that strengthen communities across the state,” Cicilline said.
Like Newport Buzz? We depend on the generosity of readers like you who support us, to help with our mission to keep you informed and entertained with local, independent news and content. We truly appreciate your trust and support!


Related
Rhode Island
This RI Zoo Just Solved Your Mother’s Day Plans
Mother’s Day is just days away, and one local zoo is offering all moms some free fun.
Free Mother’s Day Admission Details
Roger Williams Park Zoo has announced free admission for all moms, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers on Sunday, May 10, when accompanied by a child.
Which means if you still haven’t made plans with your mom, why not a trip to the zoo?
There’s plenty happening at Roger Williams Park Zoo these days—new animals like the penguins and capybara plus the immersive bug exhibit—and the weather is expected to be pleasant and mild.
READ MORE: Giant Bug Exhibit Now Open at Roger Williams Park Zoo
The annual offering is a favorite way for people to spend the holiday, but it’s not the only upcoming event at Providence’s popular zoo.
Upcoming Events at Roger Williams Park Zoo
On Sunday, May 17, the zoo is hosting a STEM LEGO workshop hosted by Christine “Tacos” Blandino from FOX’s LEGO Masters Season 3. The event, for LEGO fans aged 6+, takes place during several 90-minute windows throughout the day and helps builders grow their LEGO skills.
READ MORE: Remember When Massive Brick-Made Animal Sculptures Filled Capron Park Zoo?
Then Thursday, May 21 sees the 21+ crowd take over the zoo with the return of Whiskey & More For Wildlife from 5:30–7:30 p.m. This annual event offers ticket holders five curated tastings, a Wee Glencairn tasting glass, appetizers, soft drinks, and animal encounters along with access to an exclusive silent auction featuring rare spirits and unique experiences. Proceeds benefit bison care and conservation efforts.
Sounds like May is going to be a can’t-miss month at Roger Williams Park Zoo.
20 Things To See at Roger Williams Park (Other Than the Zoo)
There are over 427 acres of beautiful landscaping, historical buildings and family friendly spaces at Roger Williams Park in Providence. Gifted to the city in 1872 by the last descendant of Roger Williams, Betsey Williams, the park has become primarily known for its amazing zoo. But throughout this historic district listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, there are plenty of other stunning things to see.
Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall
Explore Massive Insect Exhibit at Roger Williams Park Zoo
Roger Williams Park Zoo is bringing larger-than-life insects to Providence with a new Bug’s World experience opening this April.
Get a sneak peak at these insane insects before they open to the public.
Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall
Baby Red Pandas Born At Roger Williams Park Zoo In Providence
Gallery Credit: Michaela Johnson
Rhode Island
RI offers state workers with botched W-2s reimbursement for tax filings
The Real Mansions of Rhode Island revealed
Here’s a brief look at 10 of the more notable mansions found in the Ocean State, listed in order of their values as assessed by their municipality.
Journal Staff
The McKee administration is offering up to $200 to any state employee who incurred any additional expense in filing, and then having to refile, their taxes because of a series of botched paychecks and W-2s.
How did we get here? On April 15, also known as Tax Day, Patrick Crowley, the president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, called on the McKee administration to reimburse public service workers who had to refile their taxes because of a series of several payroll glitches.
On May 4, Thomas Verdi, the acting director of the Department of Administration, sent state workers a “Dear Colleagues” email that said:
“We recognize that the W-2 corrections released by the state may have resulted in additional tax preparation costs for individuals who had to amend their tax returns.
“To assist with this expense, the state will provide a one-time reimbursement for up to $200 for tax preparation and filing costs an employee incurred to amend a federal and/or state tax return directly related to the W-2Cs issued by the State of Rhode Island.”
The latest in a litany of financial issues with state’s payroll system
The Department of Administration has not yet responded to Journal inquiries about the projected cost to the state.
But the list of well-publicized problems goes on and on.
They have included underpayments, overpayments, botched W-2s that misidentified their employer as the “Rhode Island Umbrella Company,” and a problem with Health Savings Account contributions where the employer and employee contributions were reported separately, instead of combined and will require new W-2Cs to go out to impacted employees. according to Department of Administration spokeswoman Karen Greco.
And about $220,000 in union dues inadvertently wound up in employee paychecks instead of being withheld from them.
Most, though not all, of the glitches were attributed to problems with the state’s buggy new $99 million finance and accounting system known as Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP, which launched in late 2025.
A Department of Administration spokeswoman told The Journal on April 15 that “significant progress has been made to ensure employees who required paycheck corrections are made whole,” but Crowley said his members “shouldn’t pay for mistakes they didn’t make.”
“That is why we are calling on the state of Rhode Island to reimburse state workers who have incurred expenses for refiling their taxes or may have to do so before problems are corrected.”
Olivia DaRocha, a spokeswoman for Gov. Dan McKee, said at that time that the administration was looking at potential ways to support impacted employees.
The email from Verdi to state workers included an “affidavit” for state workers to sign to verify how much, if anything, additional they had to pay to amend their tax returns.
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Numbers Midday, Numbers Evening winning numbers for May 3, 2026
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 3, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from May 3 drawing
Midday: 8-7-5-3
Evening: 2-5-5-8
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 3 drawing
10-15-20-30-35, Extra: 23
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 3 drawing
05-08-15-32-51, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
-
New York35 seconds agoDaniel Radcliffe, John Lithgow and Lesley Manville Pick Up Tony Nominations
-
Detroit, MI31 minutes agoA New Day for Detroit’s Dakota Inn – Hour Detroit Magazine
-
San Francisco, CA43 minutes agoContributor: May we never grow inured to homelessness
-
Dallas, TX49 minutes agoOur Least Favorite Dallas Cowboys 2026 NFL Draft Pick
-
Miami, FL54 minutes agoPhotographer Brings Measuring Tape to Miami GP to Get Cameras Past Security
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoWorld Cup 2026 stadium guides: Welcome to Boston Stadium, which… isn’t really in Boston at all
-
Denver, CO1 hour agoDenver welcomes national Democrats for 2028 convention site visit, starting with a trip on the A-Line
-
Seattle, WA1 hour agoRitchie's homecoming spoiled with 5-run 6th inning