Rhode Island Humanities Celebrates State-Funded THRIVE Grants at the State House Library

May 11, 2026 — On May 5, local legislators, community members, and THRIVE grantees from 2026 celebrated the impact of this unique program at an event at the Rhode Island State Library in Providence. The THRIVE program offers general operating support grants to small organizations that preserve and activate our many cultures, heritages, places, and stories in rural and urban communities in the state. This is the third year of the THRIVE program, which is a partnership between the State of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Humanities. Over just three years, we have made 60 grants totaling $300,000 to organizations from 27 of the 39 cities and towns across Rhode Island. In the first two years of the THRIVE program, this funding produced engagement opportunities for over 1,000 volunteers and helped to retain or create nearly 60 local jobs. 

The gathering offered opportunities for grantees, legislators, and cultural leaders to deepen connections through conversation, highlighting the vitality and dedication of Rhode Island’s cultural sector. Remarks were made by Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, former Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi, and RI Humanities Executive Director Elizabeth Francis, who each highlighted the importance of having dedicated funding opportunities for the humanities in our state to strengthen civic health. 

Photography: Rue Sakayama

Rhode Island Humanities Executive Director Elizabeth Franics welcomed grantees, legislators, and partners. Connecting the value of the humanities to civic health, Francis noted,  “Rhode Island Humanities stands for the essential role that humanities play in our state’s civic life. … The humanities are more than knowing about our history and culture, although they are that. They are also promotion of engagement, dialogue, and connection with each other. They illuminate and provide essential context to the places we live, work, and visit in ways that impact how we understand ourselves, our communities, and our shared futures. And the result of that is greater civic vitality. Over the past year we have seen the real damage that can happen to our civic health when we undermine the institutions that preserve and strengthen the cultural fabric of the nation. RI Humanities continues to face that risk. But we are heartened and strengthened by the support of our community right here. … We are grateful to the State of Rhode Island for seeing the value of the THRIVE program and partnering with RI Humanities to ensure this vital funding reaches communities across the state.” 

Secretary of State Greg M. Amore continued with remarks about the value of history and culture to civic engagement noting “The Department of State’s goal of civic engagement and participation is strengthened by our partnership with RI Humanities and the THRIVE Grant Program. The grant recipients tell our stories and make our history and heritage accessible to communities all across the state. That is incredibly important at this time in American history. As a former US History teacher for over 30 years, I know how crucial it is for young people to know about all aspects of the past—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and also to know about Rhode Island’s rich cultural tapestry. The THRIVE Program helps make that happen. As we recognize the nation’s semiquincentennial we should reflect on the power of cultural organizations like the THRIVE grant recipients who continue to deepen our understanding of history and culture in ways that shape how we build our future. It is more important today than ever before that we continue to offer opportunities so that Rhode Islanders and all Americans can learn about the great heritage here, the fabric that makes up Rhode Island. RI Humanities plays a central role in supporting that effort.” 

Closing out the speaking program, Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, who stepped down from his leadership role the day after this event, echoed the importance of cultural organizations to our state’s rich history,  and thanked Secretary Amore and his legislative colleagues in attendance, Representative June Speakman and Senator Peter A. Appollonio, Jr., among others, for their dedicated service. As Speaker Shekarchi noted, the government is “a collaborative effort, nobody does it alone.… Whether it’s for arts, for THRIVE grants, or the 250th grants – even small amounts of money can make a huge difference.” The Speaker thanked grantees for all the mission-driven work they do in their communities, oftentimes as volunteers, and encouraged everyone in attendance to “please stay and be involved in government. It’s the only way you’ll really feel connected and continue to advocate for your resources.”

The THRIVE Program has created a dedicated funding opportunity for small cultural organizations that are often overlooked when it comes to vital operating support, especially in an increasingly challenging philanthropic landscape. This event highlighted the State of Rhode Island’s commitment to direct resources into these small organizations that make a significant impact in local communities.

FY26 THRIVE recipients include: 

African American Museum of Rhode Island

Block Island Historical Society

Borders Farm Incorporated

Charlestown Historical Society

Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum

Colombian American Cultural Society

Greenwood Fire Museum

Guatemalan Center of New England

Manissean Tribal Council

Massasoit Historical Association of Warren, RI

North Smithfield Heritage Association

PVD World Music

Quisqueya In Action, Inc.

Revive the Roots

Rhode Island Kung Fu and Lion Dance Club 

Rhode Island Labor History Society

Rhode Island Slave History Medallions

Sowams Heritage Area Project, Inc. 

Stillhouse Cove Remembrance Project

Western Rhode Island Civic Historical Society

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About Rhode Island Humanities:

Founded in 1973, RI Humanities is the only dedicated source of funding for public humanities in Rhode Island. We are proud to support museums, libraries, historic sites, schools, preservation and historical societies, community and cultural organizations, individual researchers and documentary filmmakers to bring Rhode Island’s stories to life and to amplify the state’s many diverse voices. A private nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, RI Humanities is supported by individuals, corporate sponsors, local and national funders and the State of Rhode Island.