Rhode Island
Cranston
Rhode Island 
Completed
The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston selected Rhode Island for the Working Cities Challenge in September 2015 following the challenge’s success in Massachusetts. The economic development effort works to strengthen collaboration and leadership across the private, nonprofit, and public sectors in the Ocean State’s postindustrial cities. As part of the challenge, Rhode Island cities compete for funding for collaborative initiatives designed to tackle longstanding problems and improve life for lower-income residents.
What makes a community eligible?
Populations between 15,000-250,000
Median family income less than the median for peer R.I. cities, or
Individual and family poverty rate above the median for peer cities
Implementation Grant Winners
Design Grant Winners
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Central Falls
-
East Providence
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Pawtucket
-
Providence
-
Westerly
Eligible Communities
- Burrillville
- Central Falls
- Cranston
- East Providence
- Johnston
- Newport
- North Providence
- Pawtucket
- Providence
- Warwick
- West Warwick
- Westerly
- Woonsocket
Steering Committee
- Angela Ankoma, United Way
- Jessica David, Rhode Island Foundation
- Steven Melaragno, Roger Williams University
- Joseph Perroni, Delta Dental RI
- Anna Novais, Rhode Island Dept. of Health
- Janet Raymond, Greater Providence Chamber
- Michelle Volpe, BlueHub Capital
- Nancy Wolansky, Grant Makers Council of RI
Funding Partners
- Rhode Island Housing
- Rhode Island Commerce Corp.
- Rhode Island Dept. of Labor & Training
- Rhode Island Foundation
- Thank you to the following partners who contributed through the Rhode Island Foundation:
- Delta Dental of Rhode Island
- Verizon
- Washington Trust, Co.
- Bank of America
- Thank you to the following partners who contributed through the Rhode Island Foundation:
- Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
- Kresge Foundation
- Living Cities
- Neighborworks America