Bristol/RWU Cooperative Committee Accepting Applications from Local Groups, Individuals

BRISTOL, R.I. ­­– Spring is in the air, so that means it’s time for local groups and residents to submit applications for the Fund for Civic Activities, run by the Town of Bristol/Roger Williams University Cooperative Committee.

The fund, established in 2007 when RWU and Bristol reached a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, has provided $246,298 to date, and RWU will make $25,000 available this year. The committee accepts applications twice a year, and about $12,500 is available in this funding cycle.

“These grants provide the seed money for important and innovative programming that directly addresses community needs – identified by the Bristol community and facilitated by the Bristolians,” said K.C. Ferrara, director of the Feinstein Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement at RWU. “Arts, basic human needs, public safety, wellness and education are areas that have been fortified by solutions funded by this agreement and our bi-partisan committee.”

In years past, the fund has, for example, provided money for local food pantries and art projects, for automatic telephone dialer devices for the elderly and for programs to prevent teen alcohol and substance abuse.

The committee, which consists of leaders from Bristol and RWU, also has provided an open venue for discussion and decision-making and assisted in building upon a truly symbiotic relationship between the university and the town.

Applications for this funding cycle are due May 1. For an application, go to: https://www.rwu.edu/sites/default/files/fca_application.pdf.

For more information, go to: https://www.rwu.edu/life-at-rwu/rwu-community/town-bristol-rwu-cooperative-committee.

Questions may be directed to K.C. Ferrara at (401) 254-3765 or kferrara@rwu.edu.