Age-Friendly Rhode Island Receives $360,000 Grant from Tufts Health Plan Foundation

We are excited to share that Age-Friendly Rhode Island was awarded a three-year grant for $360,000 from Tufts Health Plan Foundation to engage, encourage and expand cross-sector collaboration and information sharing. This is one of nine new community investments totaling nearly $1 million reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to policies and practices that support healthy aging.

“We value advocacy and leadership among older people,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of Tufts Health Plan Foundation and vice president for corporate citizenship at Tufts Health Plan. “The organizations we are supporting demonstrate collaboration with state agencies and other community groups that spurs innovation and makes our communities better places to grow up and grow old.”

Age-Friendly Rhode Island is the statewide hub for organizations and age-friendly efforts that promote healthy aging. Our work helped Cranston, Newport and Providence earn the Age-Friendly Community designation from AARP. This grant will enhance communications across dozens of organizations involved in the age-friendly movement; grow the number of municipal age-friendly efforts; support innovative efforts that promote older adults and healthy aging; and strengthen the coalition to ensure its relevant and responsive to community needs. Over the next three years, AFRI also will adapt and implement a civic academy and a data-driven advocacy program.

About Tufts Health Plan Foundation

Established in 2008, Tufts Health Plan Foundation supports the health and wellness of the diverse communities we serve. The Foundation has given more than $37 million to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island nonprofits that promote healthy living with an emphasis on older adults. The Foundation began funding in New Hampshire in 2016 and in Connecticut in 2019. The Tufts Health Plan Foundation funds programs that move communities toward implementing age-friendly policies and practices that are relevant, focus on older adults and include them in community solutions. Visit www.tuftshealthplanfoundation.org or follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.