Provident Bank announced Tuesday it has awarded $50,000 in grants to five prominent nonprofit organizations across the region. The funding is part of a strategic partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) through its Small Business Recovery Grant (SBRG) Program.
The grants are designed to act as a financial “lifeline” for organizations navigating a volatile economic climate marked by inflation, supply-chain disruptions, and rising energy costs. Each of the five recipients received a $10,000 grant to support their mission-critical operations.
Leonardo Ramos, first vice president and CRA officer at Provident Bank, emphasized that the funding is aimed at the “frontline” organizations that provide essential services to New Jersey’s most vulnerable populations.
“These additional grants help strengthen local non-profits and ensure they can continue delivering essential programs and services to those who need them most,” Ramos said.
The 2026 grant recipients include:
-
Community FoodBank of New Jersey: The state’s largest anti-hunger organization.
-
East Trenton Collaborative: A community-led initiative focused on neighborhood revitalization.
-
Mercer Street Friends: A human services agency providing food and education to Trenton-area families.
-
Oasis: A Paterson-based center for women and children.
-
Rescue Mission of Trenton: Providing shelter and behavioral health services to the homeless.
The FHLBNY Small Business Recovery Grant Program allows member banks like Provident to distribute funds directly to small businesses, farms, and non-profits within their service district.
The program targets entities that have seen their operating budgets strained by:
-
Inflation: Increased costs for goods and services.
-
Energy Costs: Spikes in heating and operational utilities.
-
Interest Rates: Challenges in the current borrowing environment.
