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BRISTOL, R.I. – As part of the Fund for Civic Activities (FCA) established in 2007 when ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ and the agreed to a 20-year PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) accord, the Town of Bristol / ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ Cooperative Committee awarded $12,200 in grant funds to nine nonprofits and local organizations in December.

The awards concludes the 12th cycle of biannual FCA awards, which were created to enhance the civic experience of Bristol residents, extend ÅÝܽ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s commitment to active community engagement and provide support to local organizations. The University pledged $25,000 annually in FCA grants and to date has distributed $170,101 to support more than 110 projects and initiatives.

The FCA is part of the 20-year PILOT agreement established in 2007. Selections are made by the 12-person Cooperative Committee, which comprises individuals from both the Town and the University. The complete list of awards for this grant cycle includes:

• $2,500 to the to support the East Bay Cares program, which provides supplementary assistance to local food pantries and soup kitchens.

• $1,000 to the to support its 8th Annual Pre-Prom Dinner, which invites high school students and their parents to a dinner with speakers who share information on proactive prevention strategies for teen alcohol and substance abuse.  

• $1,000 to the for its Sense of Pride – Connecting Kids to Community program, which allows Bristol’s fourth graders to learn more about the Town’s unique history, architecture and natural environment through presentations, projects and field trips. 

• $2,500 to the to purchase food for its Access Nutrition initiative, which provides much-needed healthy foods to local families and children while offering education on the importance of nutrition and healthy eating.  

• $1,000 to the to support the purchase of new technology equipment that will allow expanded opportunities for public programs that will benefit students, teachers, artists and the general East Bay community. 
   
• $1,000 to the to allow its students to participate in local community events such as Bristol Warren Art Night and the Bristol Boat Show, among others.  

• $1,000 to the Emergency Dialer program in Bristol, which provides automatic telephone dialer devices for the disabled and elderly, to be used in emergencies when access to a phone may not be possible. 

• $1,000 to support parenting workshops and family events offered by the program, an early learning development program that helps local families with child development through personal home visits, community workshops, child screenings and more.  

• $1,000 to the Parents Group at the Colt Andrews School to purchase crossing flags as a new safety tool to be used by pedestrians traveling across high-traffic streets in crosswalks in downtown Bristol.

• $200 to to support its vegetable garden and allow for an increase in planting opportunities, growing methods, community resources and educational offerings.

Applications for the next funding cycle are due by April 15, after which the Cooperative Committee will review proposals and award approximately $12,500 in grants.