EAST PROVIDENCE, RI - Mayor Bob DaSilva is proud to announce that the City of East Providence was selected to participate in National League of Cities’ (NLC) third Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant program. Through this six-month initiative East Providence will receive a $20,000 grant and expert guidance to promote economic mobility in the city .
East Providence is one of 12 municipalities from across the country competitively selected to participate in the initiative, which is supported by the Gates Foundation. The other selected cities include: Antioch, CA; Chelsea, MA; Evanston, LI; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Hamtramck, MI; Houston, TX; Kansas City, MO; Philadelphia, PA; Pinesdale, WY; Savannah, GA; and Young Harris, GA.
"It is great honor that East Providence has been selected as one of 12 municipalities to receive the Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant," Mayor Bob DaSilva said. "This grant will enable us to continue our collaboration with the East Providence Health Equity Zone to provide health and nutrition education, support for families with young children, support our aging population and provide outdoor activities and education for our community."
Through participation in the project, East Providence plans to enable both the City and our partners, East Providence Health Equity Zone and East Bay Community Action Program, to directly connect residents with public benefits such as SNAP, CTC, EITC or free tax preparation services. These valuable organizations are currently implementing a program that uses the City’s Community Development Block Grant funding to provide senior citizens access to the benefits.
The grant funds will be used to expand this program to other vulnerable groups in East Providence, such as children and families, low to moderate income residents and unhoused people.
Participation in the program also has the potential to leverage additional funding for East Providence to promote economic mobility efforts. Over the previous two years, NLC worked with 20 other municipalities, providing more than $350,000 in awards, coaching, and peer-learning opportunities. In addition to grant funding and expert coaching, a team from [Your City, Town or Village] will join representatives from the 23 other municipalities from the current and previous cohorts in a joint economic mobility conference in October 2025.
“Economic mobility is an essential part of building thriving communities, and the National League of Cities is proud to support cities in advancing this critical effort,” said NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony. “NLC’s Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant program empowers local governments to design innovative strategies that create pathways to financial stability, economic opportunities and long-term prosperity for their residents.”
NLC selected the City of East Providence for the Rapid Grant program to expand, test, and implement economic mobility. Through the lessons learned from this program, NLC can continue to advocate and expand economic mobility programming nationwide. NLC’s
Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant program will run through December 31, 2025
