Meet the Finalists
Impact100 Newport County Announces Finalists for $208,000 in Grants to Make an Impact in the Newport County Community
Newport, Rhode Island, May 7, 2026
Impact100 Newport County is pleased to announce the five finalists for our inaugural grant cycle. This year, 208 members pooled their contributions to create a $208,000 fund, 100% of which will be awarded as two $104,000 transformational grants to local nonprofits. Working together, our purpose is to create positive change with high-impact grants.
Twenty-nine nonprofits applied for these grants reflecting the depth of need and ambition across our community. Member volunteer committees evaluated applications across five focus areas — Arts, Culture & Historic Preservation; Education; Environment, Recreation & Animal Welfare; Family, and Health & Wellness — selecting one finalist per area based on each project’s potential for transformational, sustainable impact.
“We were humbled by 29 applications from organizations working tirelessly to strengthen Newport County. These five finalists remind us why this work matters — and why, together, we can help build a community that invests in what matters most to those who live here.”
— Maura Lindsay, Founder and President, Impact100 Newport County
The recipients of the 2 grants will be determined through a member vote at Impact100 Newport County’s inaugural Annual Meeting on May 28, 2026. Each of the five finalists will present their projects to the membership, and all members will vote and award the grants that evening.
The Impact100 Newport County 2026 Grant Finalists are:
Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation: newportFILM
Project: February Film Festival newportFILM proposes the February Film Festival, a three-day winter documentary event presenting nationally recognized and Rhode Island-made films alongside free public panels at venues across Newport and Jamestown.
Education: James L. Maher Center
Project: Harvesting Ability: Inclusive Gardening, Employment and Community Harvesting Ability will employ and train adults with disabilities in sustainable agriculture and retail operations, growing and selling fresh herbs and vegetables at farmers markets, local restaurants, and school culinary programs across Aquidneck Island.
Environment, Recreation & Animal Welfare: Common Fence Point Improvement Association
Project: Together We Play: An All-Abilities Community Playground Together We Play will replace an outdated playground at Common Fence Point with a fully inclusive, all-abilities space serving 800 families, YMCA campers, adults with disabilities, and seniors across Newport County.
Family: Boys & Girls Club of Newport County
Project: Access to Opportunities The Boys & Girls Club of Newport County seeks to replace aging vehicles with a new mini-bus, expanding access to after-school programs, enrichment activities, and college visits for 950+ low-income children and teens across Newport and Middletown.
Health & Wellness: AgInnovation Farm (ERICD)
Project: AgInnovation Farm to School AgInnovation Farm seeks to expand farm-to-school programming across Aquidneck Island, delivering agricultural education to 1,500+ students annually while supplying locally grown produce to school cafeterias and food pantries.
