Jan 4, 2023
Dear Friends,

Our communities are still very much in motion as the public health crisis is now coupled with economic ones, which are often compounded by systemic racism. Never are these challenges more obvious than within the nonprofit organizations and agencies on the ground providing essential services, stronger programming, and richer experiences for people in Rhode Island.

Given these ongoing barriers, many mission-driven organizations have spent the last few years taking a comprehensive look at their core values and purpose in this environment. We’ve witnessed this work in action and how the dynamic leaders, board members, staff, and volunteers have integrated an expanded focus into their day-to-day work. At the same time, they always keep an eye toward the future and what it may bring, all to ensure stability.

What is being accomplished is truly awe inspiring. It is our privilege at The Champlin Foundation to see this ingenuity, compassion, and leadership in action.

At The Champlin Foundation, we also have taken a comprehensive look at our values and those of our founder, George Champlin. A central question for us is how we honor and implement his vision in today’s environment. Given the scope, scale, and diversity of applicants over nine different areas of focus, we approach this work with deliberate intention, and we are now bringing a very conscious equity lens to the grantmaking.

In being more strategic we seek to ensure we reach more smaller organizations, more nonprofits led by leaders of color, and more of those serving historically marginalized communities. For instance, in the last two years nearly 50 organizations have been supported for the first time or for the first time in over a decade. This expansion and connection is exciting. However, it also means greater refinement of the eligibility and evaluation process by going deeper, rather than wider across our areas of focus. This requires balance given that needs always outpace available funding.

The deadline for 2023 Cycle One applications is coming up. If you are new to applying for support or a past grantee looking to undertake a major project, we encourage you to reach out in advance. We want every application to be as strong as it possibly can be. We are here to learn more about your organization, answer your questions, and help you through the application process. Our team wants to see your organizations and the communities you serve thrive.

With appreciation for all you do,

Nina Stack

Executive Director