The Rhode Island Free Clinic (RIFC) located at 655 Broad Street in Providence announced on January 21st that they were the recipients of a two-year grant from the Kresge Foundation in the amount of $300,000 to be distributed equally in 2010 and 2011. RIFC competed with over 300 other healthcare organizations from around the country for the award. Lynne Urbani, CEO of RIFC acknowledged that this was the first experience that the clinic has had with securing a national grant and offered high praise of the staff that assisted in making the dream a reality.

RIFC draws upon 10 years of free, high quality, comprehensive primary care to adults between the ages of 19 and 64. The grant funds will be used to help expand the clinic hours, increase the number of patient visits and add to the number of physician volunteers. The clinic previously operated 59 hours a week however the grant funds will allow for a 25% increase in serve availability. It is now estimated that the clinic will be able to serve its clientele 80 hours per week and bring the corps of volunteer physicians up to 200 from the 133 currently on board. Patient visits were at about 4,000 in 2009 and are estimated in 2010 to hit 8,000 visits with the extended hours. The RIFC is the only licensed ambulatory care facility in Rhode Island to serve the uninsured exclusively and accepts only those clients that are drawn from a public lottery.

The Kresge Foundation is a $2.8 billion private, national foundation that seeks to influence the quality of life for future generations through its support of nonprofit organizations whose interest is in health and other fields. Established in 1924 for the promotion of human progress, grant-making decisions are guided by values that aim to create access and advance opportunity for low income and underserved populations. Congratulations to RIFC and staff, keep up the good work.

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