More than $1.75 million in giving and 10,000 service hours throughout Rhode Island

BankNewport is pleased to announce that its 2025 philanthropy resulted in more than $1.75 million in total giving throughout Rhode Island.  The funding was inclusive of charitable grants, contributions, community sponsorships, and branch donations. The Bank’s philanthropy impacted organizations across four key focus areas: basic human needs, education success, arts and culture, and healthy lives, thriving communities.

BankNewport employees performed over 10,000 volunteer service hours for the third consecutive year at this level, with 85% participation. Over 500 organizations throughout the state were impacted by the Bank’s philanthropy in 2025, via monetary support, board service and/or financial education. 

“Supporting our neighbors is at the heart of who we are as a community bank,” said Jack Murphy, President and CEO, BankNewport. ““As we reflect on the past year, many of our neighbors continue to face difficulties. BankNewport is extremely proud to partner with hundreds of nonprofits who work tirelessly to provide safe housing, offer pathways to employment, strengthen financial confidence, and ensure access to healthy food and vital services. These partnerships reflect our shared commitment to building stronger, more connected communities, and we remain dedicated to helping Rhode Island families thrive.”

Key funding included providing meal assistance, pantry capacity improvements and emergency food access for food insecure households through hunger relief partners, including the East Bay Food Pantry in Bristol, the North Kingstown Food Pantry, the Central Falls Foundation for its Mobile Food Pantry, and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to help acquire and distribute food for Rhode Islanders in need, in addition to initiatives including the Central Falls Children’s Foundation for the Central Falls Education Strategy Initiative, the Jamestown Community Farm for the One Chance Campaign, the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation for the Cancer Survivorship and Wellbeing facility in Lincoln.

Through BNWise, BankNewport’s financial education program, over 2,000 students and community members continued to receive financial literacy instruction through in-person and virtual presentations. Topics included budgeting, savings habits, homeownership readiness, and understanding credit—delivered through workshops in schools and at nonprofit partner sites.

BankNewport’s “Kind Souls, Full Bowls” collection campaign resulted more than 500 non-perishable food items for Operation Stand Down Rhode Island to support veterans and their families through the winter season.  Bank employees also participated in a bed building activity through A Bed for Every Child, assembling ten beds that directly benefited families of Crossroads Rhode Island. 

In addition to its philanthropic investments, the 207-year-old community bank earned recognition in 2025 for its continued leadership in fostering a strong workplace culture. BankNewport again achieved national recognition as one of the “Best Banks to Work For” by the industry publication American Banker and received both a Healthiest Employer of Rhode Island award and an Exemplary Worksite Health Award for its Vitality Wellness Program.

BankNewport also marked the 10th anniversary of its paid internship program, which has hosted more than 95 interns since 2015. The program continues to serve as a key talent development pathway for Rhode Island students seeking hands-on workplace experience, mentorship, and community engagement opportunities through BankNewport and its nonprofit partners.

About BankNewport:
Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island. BankNewport is one of the oldest banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and the community for 207 years. BankNewport has nineteen branch locations, a community lending center in Central Falls, and a commercial lending office in Providence. OceanPoint Marine Lending, a business line of BankNewport, specializes in consumer marine and recreational vehicle financing programs.

BankNewport is committed to supporting nonprofits with areas of impact focused on basic human needs, arts and culture, education success, and healthy lives, thriving communities.  BankNewport has awarded over $12 million in grants, sponsorships, and donations over the past ten years to a wide range of nonprofits to help strengthen and enrich lives and communities throughout Rhode Island. Financial education and community service performed by employees totals 10,000 hours annually. For more information, please visit www.BankNewport.com.