The Rhode Island Foundation selected a Warwick woman as one of just two recipients of its 2017 Rhode Island Innovation Fellowships. Donna Childs was chosen from nearly 200 applicants to receive $300,000 over three years to pursue their proposals for improving civic engagement.

The fellowships are made possible through the vision and generosity of philanthropists Letitia and John Carter.

“Year after year, Letitia and I are reminded of the talent and creativity that resides right here in Rhode Island,” said John Carter. “We look forward to seeing these two projects take shape and to the positive impact they will have on civic engagement in our state.”

Now in its sixth year, the fellowship initiative seeks to achieve community impact by investing in an individual’s creativity and potential and providing freedom to apply creative and fresh thinking to important challenges.

“This year’s recipients have impressive ideas for change-making. Each of their projects will focus resources on our state’s most valuable assetm its people,” Neil Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “We applaud Letitia and John Carter for their unshakeable confidence in Rhode Island’s potential and look forward to supporting our two newest fellows.”