Multi-Year Funding and Free Tools for Schools and Community Groups
WESTERLY, R.I., April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Washington Trust today announced a new Financial Literacy Initiative designed to provide individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations with the money management tools and resources they need to achieve economic empowerment. The Initiative has three components: $165,000 in multi-year funding to support literacy programs at the United Way of Rhode Island, Entrepreneurship for All Rhode Island (EforAll), and Amos House; a free web-based financial literacy program available to local schools and community groups; and a new Financial Wellness Center on the company’s website.
“We believe financial literacy is critical in helping consumers, businesses and nonprofits become more money-wise, confident, and economically-empowered,” stated Edward O. “Ned” Handy, Chairman & CEO. “For more than 221 years Washington Trust has been committed to providing funding and support to ensure our local economies thrive and we believe these programs are an investment in our future.”
The first component of the Bank’s Financial Literacy Initiative is a $165,000 multi-year commitment, from the Washington Trust Charitable Foundation, to three Rhode Island-based nonprofit organizations:
- United Way of Rhode Island: Washington Trust has committed $90,000 to support the United Way’s LIFT UNITED economic security programming. “We know that building economic security among our most vulnerable neighbors effectively changes lives, and we also know the work to accomplish this centers on being equitable. We look forward to working together to strengthen our communities today and for the future,” said Cortney Nicolato, United Way’s president and CEO.
- Entrepreneurship for All Rhode Island (EforAll): Washington Trust is a founding partner of E For All Rhode Island and has committed $45,000 in support of the organization’s investment in minority and women owned businesses. “An investment in EforAll means an investment to help under-resourced individuals in Rhode Island successfully start and grow businesses through intensive business training, mentorship and an extended professional network that will help the economy thrive,” said Laura Guillen, Executive Director of Eforall | EparaTodos Rhode Island.