BankRI Provides $10,000 in Funding to Rhode Island Local Initiatives Support Corporation to Strengthen Distressed Neighborhoods

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A local leader, Rhode Island Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has been dedicated to helping organizations across the Ocean State transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy communities for more than 20 years. Today, Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) announced that it has awarded this innovative organization with a $10,000 grant in support of its work.

Rhode Island LISC—the local office of the nation’s largest community development organization—has invested more than $294.8 million in underserved Rhode Island communities since 1991. In every corner of the state, the organization’s transformative work has helped to produce more than 7,200 units of affordable housing, new or improved child care spaces for 6,500 children, and nearly 1.8 million square-feet of retail storefronts and community space, including education, health care and recreational facilities.

“One of BankRI’s primary charitable goals is to fund efforts that help make our communities positive environments where everyone has an opportunity to improve their quality of life, which is exactly the mission of LISC,” said Mark J. Meiklejohn, President and CEO of BankRI. “Our gift will further LISC’s work, and will allow them to leverage additional funds that will be invested in our neighbors and local projects—it’s truly a win-win opportunity.”

In addition to providing general support for LISC’s areas of focus, BankRI funds will support the organization’s Building Sustainable Communities (BSC) initiative. Developed in 2007, and having achieved tremendous results to-date, BSC is a comprehensive community development strategy that links a wide-variety of services, including housing, child care, community safety, health clinics, and workforce training programs. Through BSC, LISC provides Rhode Islanders of varied income levels with the tools and opportunities to be productive members of their community, build assets, and become part of the mainstream economy.

“LISC’s work in the community is successful because of the strong partnerships we have—BankRI believes in and supports our work and our neighborhoods are stronger as a result,” said Jeanne Cola, Executive Director of Rhode Island LISC. “The Building Sustainable Communities Initiative has been the catalyst for revitalization in Olneyville and Woonsocket, building affordable homes, providing access to financial opportunity centers and creating safe spaces for families to play.”

 About Bank Rhode Island

Bank Rhode Island, a wholly owned subsidiary of Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL), is a full-service, FDIC-insured financial institution headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island.  The bank operates 19 branches and more than 60 ATMs throughout Providence, Kent and Washington Counties. For more information, visit www.BANKRHODEISLAND.com.

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