Providing a Safety Net for Students NEARI Children's Fund
Members can support students in need through The NEARI Children’s Fund, which helps provide essential items and resources for any student whose personal circumstances make it hard to come to school ready to learn.
Helping Students Since 1985
The NEARI Executive Committee established The NEARI Children's Fund in 1985 to help students who come to school without their basic needs met.
Over the last 40 years, the Fund has supported communities across the state, providing clothes, shoes, groceries, eyeglasses, medication, special educational equipment and supplies, vocational uniforms, test and licensing fees, tutoring, summer school, and much more to countless students.
2023 Transition
After many years under NEARI's direct management, the Fund is now a donor-directed fund under the Rhode Island Foundation. We are thrilled to now work with partner organizations like Hope & Faith in East Providence, Foster Forward, Clothes to Kids RI, and other school-district level organizations who truly know best the students in need to ensure the mission of the Children's Fund continues.
"The Fund is about restoring hope and giving struggling students a chance to succeed in school...and in life."
Join us to celebrate 40 years!
Your Support and Generosity Make the Difference!
The Fund is only fueled by donations and fundraisers. It is your generosity and support that keeps this important program that meets the basic needs of public-school students going.
If you have identified a need in your school, contact Rhonda Muncey at [email protected] or (401) 463-9630 to get the necessary forms.
You can also reach out for memorial or celebratory donations, like the Heisler Grant.
The NEARI Children’s Fund is held at the Rhode Island Foundation and all donations to the Fund are tax deductible. The Fund relies solely on donations with all donations going directly to the kids.
Donate Now! It's secure, fast, and easy.
Donate now to the NEARI Children's Fund through the Rhode Island Foundation.
You may also donate by check. Please make your check payable to Rhode Island Foundation. On the memo line, please write: NEARI Children's Fund.
Mail check to:
Rhode Island Foundation
One Union Station
Providence, RI 02903
Follow the Gingerbread Express to the Toys for Tots train!
For 40 years the NEARI Children’s Fund Gingerbread Express has brightened the holiday of hundreds of Rhode Island public school students and the anonymous sponsors who shopped, wrapped, and delivered gifts of coats, clothes, and toys.
Now, NEARI Children's Fund has partnered with the U.S. Marine Reserve Toys for Tots program to continue our decades of giving to families in need this holiday season.
Consider a collection in your workplace!
Bring all donations of new unwrapped toys for all ages on the designated drop off date to:
NEARI (Lower Level)
99 Bald Hill Rd. Cranston, RI
2025 Drop Off Date will be announced soon!
We'll have those familiar Toys for Tots bins on site at NEARI for one day only!
Drop off anytime between 3pm and 7pm and we will ensure delivery back to Toys for Tots in time for the holidays.
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2023 TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE
Our Partners
Clothes to Kids RI
Foster Forward
Hope & Faith Drive
The Chris and Gloria Heisler Memorial Classroom Grant Program
Chris and Gloria Heisler were educators and strong NEA Rhode Island union supporters throughout their careers. Chris was a professor at the University of Rhode Island and Gloria was a classroom teacher in South Kingstown.
Their involvement in NEARI Children’s Fund led them to bequeath the Fund a generous donation. The Classroom Grant Program will disburse up to $500 for each approved grant application.
We honor the Heisler’s memory and their dedication to students by awarding grants in their name to answer students’ needs.
The grant application is open to any NEARI member and can be requested for a new teaching project, special needs sensory items, to subsidize a classroom field trip, classroom supplies, snacks, or anything else to enhance students’ learning.
The grant application period is currently closed.
