New London — The Day’s Bodenwein Public Benevolent Foundation will distribute $106,500 in grants to nonprofit organizations that help needy children, families and individuals and support the arts, the newspaper announced.

“Despite a challenging media environment and fragile local economy, The Day finished 2016 with improved profits,” said Gary Farrugia, The Day’s publisher. “Our distinct ownership by The Day Trust is a source of strength for the company and the region. Because a portion of our profits flow to the Bodenwein Foundation, more than four dozen local nonprofit organizations were awarded grants this year."

The grants total topped the $104,500 the foundation donated last year.

This year’s grants range in amounts from $500 to the $5,000 awarded to the New London Homeless Hospitality Center, which operates a homeless shelter, and the New London Rotary Foundation, which plans to build a new pavilion at Ocean Beach Park. The New London Community Meal Center will receive $4,500 while three other organizations each will receive $4,000 — the Opportunities Industrialization Center of New London County, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut.

The 53 grants average about $2,010 apiece.

The foundation is named for Theodore Bodenwein, publisher of The Day from 1891 to 1939. In his will, Bodenwein established The Day Trust, a split-interest trust that oversees The Day's newsgathering and publishing operations and administers the foundation, whose funds come from The Day's earnings.

In the last five years, the foundation has distributed more than $521,000. Since 1960, it’s donated more than $11 million.