Rhode Island Foundation to announce $4 million in scholarships Aug. 14
Hundreds of students and their families will gather at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet to celebrate
PROVIDENCE, RI [Aug. 12, 2024] – On Wed., Aug. 14, at 5:45 p.m. at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO David N. Cicilline will announce that hundreds of students from across the state are headed off to college with the help of $4 million in scholarships. Many of the recipients and their families are expected to attend the announcement.
“These scholarships reward all that these students achieved and honor the donors who make their dreams of a better future come true,” said Cicilline. “The impact of their philanthropy will be felt for years to come as these young people join the workforce and contribute to civic life of their communities.”
Dozens of individual and organizational donors have established scholarship funds at the Foundation to help students defray educational expenses such as tuition, fees and books. The Carter Roger Williams Scholarships are among the largest, worth up to $80,000 over four years. Valeria Gil is one is one of six recipients this year. [NOTE: Valeria will be available for interview.]
“College will help me to explore these diverse interests that I have developed from a young age. I will be able to become involved in many kinds of courses that will spark my curiosity and combine my multiple interests for the future. I wish to become the architect of my own education by using my creativity to find innovative solutions, perform research and work within all the different departments,” said Gil, a 2024 graduate of Classical High School who plans to pursue a degree in marketing at Brandeis University.
In addition to general assistance, the Foundation also offers scholarships targeting certain academic majors, residents of particular cities and towns and other special circumstances. For example, Rhode Island PBS Foundation Fund targets students pursuing journalism or communications as a career. Timothy Yean is the 2024 recipient. [NOTE: Timothy will be available for interview.]
“To have my efforts recognized to this extent would have been unimaginable to me four years ago, and it’s still unimaginable to me. I’m so glad to have a lot of the usual financial burden of college covered by this scholarship, and I’m so happy to tell my mother and father that they don’t have to worry too much anymore about the cost of college,” said Yean, a 2024 graduate of Cranston High School East who plans to major in communications at Rhode Island College.
Other funds include the Black Philanthropy Bannister Scholarship, the Major Jeremiah P. Murphy Scholarship, the Edward J. and Virginia M. Routhier Nursing Scholarship and the Robert G. and Joyce Andrew Scholarship, which awarded $490,000 to more than 150 students for the coming academic year.
The Foundation expects to begin taking applications for the 2025-26 academic year after Jan. 1.
The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Through civic leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is improving the lives of all Rhode Islanders. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.
