COX COMMUNICATIONS
WINNER , LARGE CATEGORY : 250 – plus employees LOCATION : West Warwick , cox . com
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology . As the largest private broadband company in the country , it serves seven million homes and businesses across eighteen states . It also focuses on community service , expanding digital equity , and providing resources to support customers and employees .
Cox Communications encourages team members to be active citizens in the communities it serves .
These causes include Cox Charities Community Grants , the charitable giving initiative of Cox Communications that awards funds to local STEAMbased groups . This year , thirteen Rhode Island-based organizations received a total of $ 110,000 .
Employees are also encouraged to give back through volunteerism . Cox employees have teamed up to fill backpacks with school supplies for the Backto-School Celebration . They have also filled the food pantry at Connecting for Children & Families , sorted and distributed food items to the community at Higher Ground International , and packed boxes with food items at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank .
Cox team members cheer on and support athletes at the Special Olympics of Rhode Island Summer Games , and together , helped to install a trash trap and cleaned up the community with the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council .
Earlier this year , Cox presented the Cox Tech Boost to DownCity Design and the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council , totaling $ 20,000 . Past recipients include the Martin Luther King , Jr . Community Center , Progreso Latino , Save The Bay , Rhode Island Free Clinic , the Manton Avenue Project and others . Cox employees on the Cox Charities Advisory Group review and rank the applications submitted to this program — another way employees stay connected to the community .
The James M . Cox Foundation also provides philanthropic support in the local community . The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council recently received a $ 75,000 contribution to equip the Leo Bouchard Conservation Center with technology and make the space accessible for school field trips , education programs and community programming , while Save the Bay received $ 100,000 to benefit the Hamilton Family Aquarium .
JUDGE ’ S TAKE : “ I like how Cox prioritizes kids in their charitable mission , from filling backpacks for summer camp to financing STEAM education .” — Jamie Coelho
BANKNEWPORT
HONORABLE MENTION , LARGE CATEGORY :
250 – plus employees
LOCATION : Middletown , banknewport . com
BankNewport ’ s mission is to serve all
Rhode Island communities by maintaining a secure , profitable and serviceoriented financial institution committed to helping residents and businesses meet their financial goals and promoting community reinvestment . The Kind Heart Fresh Start community impact campaigns collect and donate personal care items for shelters across Rhode Island , including toothbrushes , toothpaste , shampoo , deodorant , soap , and adult and children ’ s socks . They also collect new bedding for agencies that provide services to underserved populations . Employees also donated 250 boxes of cereal to stock the pantry at the Martin Luther King , Jr . Community Center in Newport . 🆁
JUDGE ’ S TAKE : “ I like their focus on giving to homeless shelters and on basic items people don ’ t normally think to donate , like socks and toiletries .” — Dana Laverty
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I JANUARY 2025 69