|
Dear Neighbors:
I hope you (or someone you know) observed National Bike To Work Day on Friday, whose significance is bound to grow in the coming years. This week’s letter describes the Senate District 3 legislative grants program for the coming year.
1. Background
Upon taking office, I decided to create an open legislative grants program for 501c3 organizations that serve the residents in Senate District 3, which is defined by this map. (Organizations can quality for a Senate District 3 grant while serving residents in many other districts, provided that the benefit to District 3 residents is sufficiently substantial.) I ask a volunteer screening committee to review the applications and make recommendations. I use their recommendations as a substantial basis for my request to Senate leadership, which ultimately decides which grants to issue. In previous years, the District 3 grants budget was approximately $29,000, but last year’s fiscal constraints reduced that amount to $22,000. The 2023 grants were distributed as follows:
Agency and Grant Amount
Beat the Streets
$1,000
Blackstone Parks Conservancy
$2,000
Classical HS Community Assoc.
$1,500
Fox Point Neighborhood Assoc.
$1,500
Friends of India Point Park
$1,500
Nathan Bishop PTO
$2,500
Providence Art Club
$2,000
Community Library of PVD - Fox Point
$2,000
Community Library of PVD - Rochambeau Branch
$2,000
PVD Period
$1,500
Vartan Gregorian PTO
$2,000
Village Common
$1,500
Very Special Animals
$1,000
Total
$22,000
2. This Year’s Process
Agencies are invited to submit applications for grants in amounts up to $2,500 by downloading this form, filling it out and returning it to me by the deadline of June 5. I will then work with the grants advisory committee during June 6-20 to develop a list to submit to Senate leadership. If you would like to volunteer to serve on the grant screening committee (and you have no affiliation with any of the organizations applying for a grant), please send me an email with your name, U.S. mail address and preferred email address. Senate leadership typically reviews applications over the fall and announces decisions by the end of the calendar year. Grant checks will be issued during the first half of 2025.
Our neighborhood is blessed with many deserving agencies that can benefit from these grants. It it is my honor and responsibility, as informed by your suggestions and outreach, to help make the best use of these public funds.
Thank you for your consideration.
| 
