Search Through Grants for Environmental Projects in Rhode Island in the U.S.

Background

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation seeks to dramatically improve the lives of underserved communities across the globe by supporting scalable, innovative, and impact-first solutions that leverage existing systems and stakeholders. Our goal is to find social entrepreneurs with dynamic products or services that have a proven ability to positively impact the lives of underserved people, and nurture those organizations at the early stages by providing capacity, capital, and community.

Our application process is designed to be open and accessible, and we accept applications year round from across our priority geographies and sectors. Borrowing from our venture capital legacy, we find exceptional entrepreneurs and provide them with: 

Capacity

• The core of DRK’s model is deep and extensive operational and technical support for each portfolio organization, both through dedicated hands-on Board service and specialist capacity-building resources for fundraising, board and organizational development, leadership, financial support, and scaling strategy,

Capital

• DRK provides up to $300,000 USD in either unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period, and

Community

• DRK convenes our portfolio and alumni annually, facilitating connections and community. 

What We Fund

DRK Foundation funds early-stage social impact organizations solving the world’s biggest social and environmental problems using bold, scalable approaches.

What stage of growth does DRK Foundation typically fund?

Early stage: Organizations who are early stage, which we define as post-pilot and pre-scale. This typically means: 

• Your program, product or service is already being used in the market or in the field, 
• You have early indication that your model is having its intended impact on the beneficiary populations,
• Your organization is relatively young (ideally between two and five years old, although we will consider both younger and older organizations).

Venture funding: In the case of for profits, we typically support Seed to Series A organizations, and never lead rounds; we also generally but not exclusively refrain from participating in financings exceeding a $15M USD post-money valuation.  

Community Grants

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We are committed to auto and home safety programs and activities that help people manage the risks of everyday life.
• We invest in education, economic empowerment and community development projects, programs and services that help people realize their dreams.
• We help maintain the vibrancy of our communities by assisting nonprofits that support community revitalization.

Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants focus on safety, community development and education.

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

We strive to keep our customers and communities safe. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Auto safety — improving driver, passenger, vehicle or roadway safety
• Home safety — shielding homes from fires, crime or natural disasters
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation
• Disaster recovery

Community Development

We support nonprofits that invest and develop stronger neighborhoods. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Affordable housing — home construction and repair
• Commercial/small business development
• Job training
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Financial literacy
• Sustainable housing and transportation
• Food insecurity

Education

Our education funding is directed toward initiatives that support the following programs:

• Higher education
• K-12 academic performance
• K-12 STEM
• Pathways for college and career success

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Culture Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent. Supported organizations include arts schools, ballets, museums, operas, performing arts centers, symphonies and theaters.

Funding Priorities in Culture

In the recent past, 25% of total funding has been allocated to Culture. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 60% of the funding in Culture.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted toward new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

Background

Founded in 2001, the Rhode Island Child Care and Early Learning Facilities Fund (RICCELFF) is a public-private partnership designed to help child care and early learning programs develop safe, high-quality learning environments – indoors and outdoors. The RICCELFF is particularly interested in supporting projects that expand access to affordable, quality child care opportunities for low income and high needs children and families.

The RICCELFF is housed at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the nation’s largest community development intermediary. The RICCELFF benefits from national expertise through LISC’s Community Investment Collaborative for Kids (CICK). CICK brings public officials, child care providers, philanthropists and other stakeholders to the table to devise comprehensive and innovative solutions to child care facility dilemmas. As a member of the National Children’s Facilities Network, LISC works closely with organizations across the country to advocate for policies and funding that support the development of quality child care facilities in low-income communities.

Child Care Facilities Planning Grant Program

The Child Care Facilities Planning Grant Program is available for predevelopment and feasibility activities to develop, expand, or improve early childhood facilities in Rhode Island. Grant-funded. planning work could include hiring professionals for the following:

• Architectural design services for project feasibility and concept design
• Site analysis
• Engineering studies
• Legal services (ex: hiring a land use attorney to pursue a change in zoning for allowable use)
• Environmental survey and review

Mission

Driven by a philanthropic calling to support marginalized communities throughout the world, the Semnani Family Foundation partners with on-the-ground organizations and leverages its resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner that delivers the maximum benefit.

History

Guided by his grandmother Maliheh’s example and teachings, Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh established the Semnani Family Foundation in 1993. The foundation’s first grant was issued through CARE International to an orphanage in Romania that cared for newborns affected by HIV. Over the last few decades, the foundation has continued to build upon its mission to empower the disaffected, partnering with a variety of organizations in different countries who can make the greatest impact.

In addition to its global influence, the Semnani Family Foundation established roots within the state of Utah with the founding of Maliheh Free Clinic in 2005 to provide free healthcare to thousands of uninsured people in the Salt Lake City area.

Where We Work

The Semnani Family Foundation focuses primarily on promoting health, education, and disaster relief for marginalized communities all around the world. Driven by a clear mission to adapt and serve at the global level, we have leveraged our resources to make a meaningful impact in the following countries so far:

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia
• Colombia
• England
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• India
• Iran
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Romania
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Uganda
• United States
• Yemen

At the heart of the Foundation lies a fervent commitment to human welfare, always prioritizing health and the needs of society’s most vulnerable.

Background

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns.

EQIP delivers environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

This voluntary conservation programs helps producers make conservation work for them.  Together, NRCS and producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations.

Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices.  Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations.  Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement conservation practices, and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.

Benefits

The benefits of EQIP include:

• Reduction of contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations.
• Efficient utilization of nutrients, reducing input costs and reduction in nonpoint source pollution.
• Increased soil health to help mitigate against increasing weather volatility and improved drought resiliency.

Funding Pools in Rhode Island

General EQIP

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against increasing weather volatility.

• Working lands ranking pool - includes all applicants with non-forested land uses.
• Forest resiliency ranking pool - includes all applicants with forested land use.
• Beginning farmers and historically underserved farmers and ranchers ranking pool - Applications from Historically Underserved Farmers & Ranchers, under EQIP, are considered within specific sub-account fund pools.
• Conservation Planning Activities (CPA), Design Implementation Activities (DIA), or Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities (CEMA) ranking pool - NEW for FY 2022: A reorganized approach to planning, designing, implementing, and monitoring conservation activities on agricultural lands. Applicants may use EQIP to develop written conservation plans using Conservation Planning Activities (CPA), Design Implementation Activities (DIA), or Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities (CEMA).
• Organic growers or those transitioning to organic may apply to this EQIP sub-account. Applicants must be registered with the RIDEM Division of Agriculture.

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) implementation

Producers with completed Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan who wish to apply for EQIP funds towards implementing conservation practices from that CNMP may apply to this EQIP sub-account. Applicants must provide a copy of the approved Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan.

EQIP Conservation Incentive Contracts

Conservation Incentive Contracts are an option under EQIP, with a focus on Climate-Smart Forestry and Agriculture and Drought Resilience management practices. EQIP-CIC provides financial assistance to adopt conservation activities on working landscapes.

On-farm energy

The On-Farm Energy Initiative enables the producer to identify ways to conserve energy on the farm through two types of Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP) for headquarters and/or for landscape, also known as an on-farm energy audit (headquarters and/or landscape); and by providing financial and technical assistance to help the producer implement various measures and practices recommended in these on-farm energy audits.

Oyster reef restoration state initiative

The Oyster Reef Restoration Initiative provides financial assistance to improve water quality and encourage the development of wildlife habitat by implementing conservation practices that create oyster reefs.

RCPP farm plan implementation

An RCPP project led by local Rhode Island partners.

Source water initiative

About RIDOH

Mission

To prevent disease and protect and promote the health and safety of the people of Rhode Island.

Leading Priorities

• Address the socioeconomic and environmental determinants of health.
• Eliminate health disparities and promote health equity.
• Ensure access to quality health services for all Rhode Islanders, including the state's vulnerable populations.

Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program 

The Rhode Island Department of Health’s (RIDOH) Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health (RIDCH) Program invites applications from eligible organizations and agencies to apply for a Short-Term Project to implement a virtual or inperson Healthy Heart Ambassador Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring program (HHA BPSM).

RIDCH will award up to five (5) organizations up to $4,999 each. Eligible applicants must have an existing infrastructure with the capacity to support implementation of a health promotion program and affiliated with, or a part of, a not-for-profit, community-based agency, coalition, and/or grassroots organization that has a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or a Federal Tax Identification Number.

Marine Pump-Out Facilities & Pump-Out Boats RFP (RI)

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is a request for grant applications by qualified public and private marinas, yacht clubs and municipalities to construct, replace, retrofit, and maintain marine pump‐out facilities and to purchase, operate and maintain pump‐out boats. Through a competitive process, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will award grants to promote the development, installation, and maintenance of pump-out facilities in Rhode Island marine waters in conformance with the mandatory Federal No Discharge designation.

All grant awards are subject to a 25% grantee (partner) dollar match requirement. In order to receive grant funding, the operator of said facility agrees not to charge the boater more than $5 per 30 gallons pumped. DEM will offer grant awards for eligible project costs of new and replacement land‐based facilities and for eligible project costs of new and replacement mobile pump-out boats. Operators of mobile pump-out vessels can also apply for grant awards for eligible Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs. O&M costs eligible for reimbursement include hull painting, engine maintenance, pump periodic maintenance, insurance of pump-out vessel, fuel and oil, trailer maintenance, winterization, storage, launching and hauling, boat safety equipment, and personal protective equipment.

For this CVA Grant program, Rhode Island Marine Trade Association (RIMTA) and DEM have partnered together to streamline grants for routine operation and maintenance costs such as periodic maintenance, winterization, spring commissioning, and replacement parts.

In August 1998, Rhode Island became the first state in the country to receive the US Environmental Protection Agency’s No Discharge designation for all of its marine waters. To maintain the No Discharge designation for the state’s marine waters, the DEM must assure that the pump‐out facility infrastructure is in sound operating condition. Through the ongoing grant program, DEM continues to work with the marina industry to accomplish this objective. This public‐private partnership has successfully reduced a significant source of pathogen contamination to the state’s coastal waters, including waters in close proximity to shellfish harvesting and swimming areas.

Tree Equity RI Grant Program (RI)

The Tree Equity RI Grant Program provides cost-share tree planting grants to Rhode Island local governments, public educational institutions, and non-profit organizations. Funding for the program is provided by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

This grant program is designed to focus tree planting efforts in the areas that need it most. Tree Equity Score measures how well the benefits of trees are reaching communities living on low-incomes, communities of color and others disproportionately impacted by extreme heat and other environmental hazards. Applicants will use the Tree Equity Score Analyzer, a map based application developed by American Forests, to develop their planting project proposal.

Funding

A total of $120,000 in funding is available. Requests for assistance should range between $10,000 and $25,000.

The Tree Equity RI funds must be matched 75/25 with non-federal funds. Match may be in the form of cash purchase or in-kind contributions, and all such contributions must come from non-federal sources. Matching funds for this project may not be used as a match for any other federal cost-share project. All matching funds must be specifically related to the proposed project.

Foundation History

Since 1932, the Foundation has awarded nearly $725 million.

Champlin’s investment in Rhode Island’s nonprofit community for the past nine decades has been almost entirely for capital projects. These investments have enabled better medical care, improved educational outcomes, expanded access to social services, fostered economic impact, conserved open space, preserved historic buildings, cultivated creativity and artistic expression, safeguarded care for animals, and more.

It all started with Stanton B. Champlin. Champlin was only twelve years old when he ran away from his family farm in South Kingstown, RI. It was 1838, and he moved to Providence and became a jeweler’s apprentice. Years later, he would establish the S.B. Champlin Company with his only son, George Byron Champlin. It would grow beyond jewelry and become an industrial empire that expanded into the manufacturing of aluminum, copper and brass tube, jewelry wire, valves, hand trucks, pipe fittings, and hand pumps.

Through the leadership of Stanton Champlin, his son George Byron Champlin, and his grandson George Stanton Champlin, this vast conglomerate became a powerful economic engine that employed thousands and helped drive the economy of Rhode Island and the nation.

While the businesses were retired, the wealth has remained intact in service of Rhode Island, thanks to the creation of the first of the family’s philanthropic foundations in 1932 by the runaway’s grandchildren.

From the first gift of $50 to Rhode Island Hospital in 1933 to buy eyeglasses for the needy, to the preservation of thousands of acres of open space to the distribution of millions of dollars to support social services.

We continue to build on this rich tradition today, seeking to work in relationship with Rhode Island’s nonprofits, acting as a convener, a coach, and a facilitator for collective success and engagement. We prioritize listening and learning, especially with those organizations serving marginalized communities. The Champlin story is nearly a century old, yet it continues to evolve in new ways for the betterment of all our Rhode Island communities.

Challenge Grants

Challenge grants that enable organizations to leverage Champlin funding to secure matching donations are considered on a highly limited basis at the discretion of the Distribution Committee.

The foundation supports nonprofit organizations and agencies working in nine different fields:

• Arts & Culture: 
  • Creative expression enables greater understanding and a deeper perspective of our society. Artists give voice, spark imagination, and inspire. Creative communities are economic drivers. Supporting theaters, museums, music groups, and other arts organizations provides access for children and adults to enjoy Rhode Island’s exceptional artists and arts organizations.
• Conservations & Parks:
  • As the nation’s second most densely populated state, open space is a precious, priceless resource in Rhode Island. Preserves and parks contribute mightily to the high quality of life enjoyed in the Ocean State, which is why working with land trusts, conservancies, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, The Nature Conservancy, and others has been a priority for the foundation.
• Education:
  • Our young are a reflection of what our future will be. This is why Champlin maintains a focus on supporting those organizations and schools that provide equitable access to experience and learning—in the classroom, after school, or beyond. Whether it is funding equipment for classroom innovation or grants toward building infrastructure, for preparatory and enrichment programs or independent and charter schools, it all plays a role in Champlin’s grant strategy.
• Healthcare:
  • Every Rhode Islander deserves equal access to quality, affordable healthcare and a strong public health system in our state. This means ensuring that our local hospitals, community health centers, treatment centers, and other nonprofit healthcare providers have the infrastructure and state-of-the-art equipment needed to provide quality care and service to all, regardless of the patient’s background or zip code.
• Historic Preservation & Heritage:
  • Learning from the past contributes mightily to understanding the present. Rhode Islanders respect and treasure their history—from First Nations, Colonial era, and the Industrial Revolution through the Great Wars. Historic homes, landmark locations, and museums are one reason Rhode Island is a fascinating place to live and visit.
• Libraries:
  • In the 21st century, libraries have evolved into hubs for education, professional development, and community engagement. In many communities, the local library also serves as an after-school haven and the access point to technology for young and old. With programming that fosters creativity, innovation, and dialogue, libraries across Rhode Island remain a home for knowledge and meaningful connection.
• Social Services:
  • We see and support the often-invisible heroes in our communities, whose efforts are providing our most vulnerable and marginalized populations with food, shelter, education, job training, and more. We are committed to keeping these essential agencies and organizations strong.
• Youth Services:
  • The Champlin family recognized the importance of investing in the young—the future leaders of industry, community, and government. From Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, summer camps, and career and leadership development, supporting the organizations that help them to develop physically and mentally is a cornerstone of the Foundation.
• Welfare of Animals:
  • Sadly, animals have the same ability to suffer as humans. Our support of well-established regional organizations that offer care, adoption services, medical treatment, and more helps ensure that more animals across the state are healthy, well-nourished, and free from distress.

About Bonnell Cove Foundation

Bonnell Cove Foundation supports not-for-profit organizations in North America in the areas of safety at sea and the environment of the sea. The Bonnell Cove Foundatioin is a 501(c)(3) organization. It was organized in 1989 by the Cruising Club of America. Initial funding for the Foundation came from the sale of a tract of waterfront land on Block Island, Rhode Island to the Block Island Land Conservancy. George P.P. Bonnell, a charter member and former Commodore of the Club, bequeathed the land to the Club in 1959. Club members provide additional funding. There is no paid staff.

The Board of Trustees meets twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, to consider applications. As a general matter, the Foundation awards grants of up to $10,000 for specific projects or particular needs of a qualifying non-profit. In rare cases, the Foundation will grant funds to a particular organization in successive years.

In recent years the Bonnell Cove Foundation has funded essential elements of school and museum youth programs, environmental research, habitat restoration, medical research, search and rescue products, overboard rescue techniques and boating education.

Grants Relating to Safety At Sea

The Foundation encourages grant applications supporting projects which complement the safe operation of boats, both sail and power. Innovative projects resulting in the development of cost effective personal safety equipment, modified operational and training protocols, and methods to increase crew awareness of the need for continued attention to safety are of particular interest.

Grants Relating to the Environment of the Sea

The Foundation seeks grant applications in support of projects intended to increase our understanding of the factors affecting the marine environment both natural and man-made and the best ways to minimize adverse impacts associated with small boat operations. Such efforts might include technologies facilitating "green boats", efforts to conserve coastal and estuarine land, and educational efforts directed at improved stewardship of our oceans and navigable lakes.

DAIRY FOOD SAFETY & CERTIFICATION GRANT

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant program, which will provide grants for dairy farmers, processors, and/or producer associations to take actionable steps to improve the safety of dairy products. Projects funded through this program will support increased production safety standards with the goal of accessing new markets. Projects that increase marketability of dairy products will be prioritized. Activities covered by this grant include accessing technical assistance, audits, food safety plan development, training, testing fees, and certain infrastructure upgrades. 

Projects funded by this grant will allow dairy farmers, processors, and/or producer associations to take actionable steps to improve the safety of dairy products and improve marketability. Technical assistance providers or supply chain partners including distributors, co-packers and cross-dockers that would also benefit from grant activities should be listed as partners. Projects that demonstrate that grant activities will increase or expand access to market channels will be prioritized. Food safety activities under this grant should build upon baseline state and federal compliance requirements to further improve product consistency, safety, and quality of dairy products.

Grants are available to applicants in all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Funding

Grants will range from $10,000 - $40,000 with a 25% (cash or in-kind) match commitment required. Total funds available: $250,000. 

Required Project Criteria

The following criteria must be addressed:

• Must build upon dairy business’ existing baseline compliance with food safety requirements.
• Project increases the safety of dairy products produced in the Northeast.
• Business/organization can sustain the changes/improvements past the grant period.

Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation

Grants from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation are distributed in four focus areas (human needs, environmental stewardship, education, community vitality) and are limited to organizations defined as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.

Grant applications will be accepted online during two annual grant cycles, one in the spring and one in the fall.

Funding

Most grant awards range from $1,000 to $15,000, while higher amounts may be awarded when a program is an exceptional fit. We often receive funding requests far in excess of our Foundation budget. Regrettably we must often decline support for otherwise worthy proposals. Such a response does not reflect on Dominion Energy's view of the value of the organization or its services.

Menthol-Related Health Equity Short-Term Project Application

The Rhode Island Department of Health Tobacco Control Program (RITCP) is offering three (3) short-term projects of up to $3,000 each to Rhode Island community/faith-based organizations. The organization(s) must be located or serving in Providence and have demonstrated proven engagement with communities affected by menthol-related health disparities (e.g., African-Immigrants and/or African Americans). Organizations must serve the special populations that reside or work in the Providence Metro area, and must have 501c3 status (e.g., nonprofit, faith-based, public libraries, youth development organizations, etc.). The organization(s) must aim to reduce access to menthol and other flavored tobacco/nicotine products in communities. Preference will be given to applications that document a capacity to implement tobacco/nicotine-free policies and educate on the harms of tobacco/nicotine use and tobacco industry practices through policy, environmental, system change strategies, data collection, improved enforcement, and public education. 

These short-term projects seek to help Providence community members who have been disproportionately affected by menthol products. Awardees would assist in educating the population on the tobacco industry’s marketing tactics, the harms of tobacco/nicotine use on the individual, those around them and their environment, and to offer tailored quit resources. RITCP and award recipients will collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to make tobacco/nicotinefree living the norm, focusing on communities that experience tobacco/nicotine-related disparities in health outcomes.

Awardees will work with Oasis International Inc. (Oasis) to implement the following strategies through the Rhode Island Menthol Health Equity Workgroup:

The expected outcomes for the above strategies are:

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP)

The RIDEM/Division of Agriculture is pleased to announce the availability of Farm Viability grant funds for the purpose of enhancing the Competitiveness of Specialty Crops grown in Rhode Island.

Specialty crops are defined by this federally supported program as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops including floriculture such as Christmas Trees, cut flowers, honey, hops, and turf grass production. Examples of enhancing the market competitiveness of specialty crops include, but are not limited to: Research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, "buy local" programs, increased consumption, increased innovation, improved efficiency and reduced costs of distribution systems, environmental concerns and conservation, product development, and developing cooperatives. Please view USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for a comprehensive list of eligible specialty crops, ineligible commodities, and examples of projects that enhance the competiveness of specialty crops under the SCBGP.

Our Mission

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Founder

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

The Foundation supports projects in coastal areas of Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and selected international locations.

For the last two decades, the Foundation has focused a significant portion of its financial resources on Southeastern Massachusetts, where its office is located. Here the Board seeks to understand how communities grow sustainably and equitably, how to increase educational opportunities, how rural and urban economies are intertwined, and how to best protect working landscapes and the people who rely upon these areas for their livelihoods. In funding in a few specific areas, the Board believes it will have the most impact.   

Environment

In Southeastern Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island, the Island Foundation promotes the conservation of marine and coastal resources. For many years, the Foundation has given priority to North Atlantic right whale research, protection of coastal waterbird habitat, and preservation of coastal lands.

More recently, the Board has been interested in new initiatives that:

• link climate change, renewable energy, and regional planning and support those most impacted by climate change;
• support working landscapes (sustainable agriculture and community-based fisheries) and the people who rely on them for their livelihoods;
• help local conservation organizations strengthen their own capacity;
• connect community health, quality of life, and environmental conservation; and
• promote environmental justice and seek to include the voices of those most affected by environmental harms.

Center for Healthy Homes & Environment

Environmental Health Risk Assessment Program

Choose Safe Places for Early Care & Education Special Project Opportunity Application (CSPECE)

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is offering a special project opportunity of up to $4,950 each to eligible entities to support and expand upon Environmental Health Risk Assessment Program’s (EHRAP’s) efforts to engage with and educate early care and education providers on the impact environmental hazards have on public health. 

Background:

Through EHRAP’s Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education (CSPECE) program, RIDOH aims to assist licensed child care providers and staff in taking steps to choose safe locations and protect children and staff from hazardous chemicals and contaminants at existing sites. Funded through the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR’s) Cooperative Agreement Program, CSPECE offers technical assistance and educational materials to licensed early care and education providers and the agencies and organizations that support this population. 

Opportunity and Eligibility:

RIDOH will award up to $4,950 to each special project opportunity recipient. Some organizations may request and receive less than the maximum special project opportunity amount.

Asthma-Related Health Disparities Short Term Project Funding Opportunity

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Asthma Control Program (RIACP) is offering short-term project funding opportunities of up to $4,999 each to a maximum of three (3) eligible entities that have a 501(c)(3) status and have demonstrated proven engagement with communities affected by asthma health disparities. One application per agency will be reviewed. The Asthma-Related Short-term Project award period will begin immediately after the organization is awarded and will end August 31, 2025.

Short-term Project activities must be completed by August 31, 2025. A final summary report, project deliverables, and project invoices are due within thirty (30) days of the project end date. RIACP will provide all awardees with a project summary and invoice template. The final report must be completed in its entirety prior to receiving reimbursement for project-related expenses.

Awardees would assist RIACP in community engagement practices to ensure wider adoption of the CDC’s EXHALE technical package. EXHALE represents a group of strategies to improve asthma control and reduce health care-related costs. RIACP and awardees will collaborate across sectors with national and local partners to ensure that all people living with asthma can achieve healthy lives.

Awardees will work with RIACP and its partners to engage with communities and implement at least one of the following strategies from the CDC’s EXHALE technical package:

E: Education on asthma self management

X: X-tinguishing smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke among people with asthma

H: Home visits for trigger reduction and asthma self-management education

A: Achievement of guidelines-based medical management

L: Linkages and coordination of care across settings

E: Environmental policies or best practices

Awardees can expect to use EXHALE as a guide to do one or more of the following:

• Engage diverse partners to promote and support social, economic and community change to increase asthma awareness and the availability of management services.
• Educate the public, community leaders, partners, and decision-makers on policy, systems, and environmental changes that can prevent and reduce asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
• Implement culturally appropriate interventions tailored for community needs to prevent and reduce asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
• Use research, surveillance, and evaluation to measure progress made in increasing asthma management awareness and reducing asthma symptoms including asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits to inform public health action.

Mission

To prevent disease and protect and promote the health and safety of the people of Rhode Island.

Leading Priorities

• Address the socioeconomic and environmental determinants of health.
• Eliminate health disparities and promote health equity.
• Ensure access to quality health services for all Rhode Islanders, including the state's vulnerable populations.

Environmental Health Risk Assessment Program Community Outreach, Education and & Assessment Mini-Grant

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is offering mini-grants of up to $4,950 each to eligible entities to support and expand upon Environmental Health Risk Assessment Program’s (EHRAP’s) efforts to engage with and educate communities on the impact environmental hazards have on public health. 

Through EHRAP, RIDOH aims to investigate the public health implications of hazardous chemicals in the environment, educate affected communities and stakeholders about these implications, and proactively manage risks by exploring innovative solutions. Funded through the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR’s) Cooperative Agreement Program, EHRAP evaluates contaminated sites and analyzes potential links between site contaminants and community health outcomes.

EHRAP also develops and implements the Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education program, which supports practices to ensure early child care and education centers are located away from chemical hazards.

Examples of projects eligible for funding include

• Education for community members and residents about contaminated soil at a brownfield to be remediated and turned into a community garden
• Outreach materials and social media posts targeting Cape Verdean home gardeners about the harmful effects of chemicals in urban soil and using raised beds to avoid those risks
• Developing training for Spanish-speaking family-based daycare providers on transitioning to greener cleaning supplies
• Creating educational materials for private well owners on groundwater contamination from past activities and its impact on human health

Funding

RIDOH will award up to $4,950 to each mini-grantee, for a maximum of $15,000 in total funding between this grant opportunity and the Fishing & Fish Consumption Survey for Diverse Communities Mini-Grant Opportunity.  Some organizations may request and receive less than the maximum mini-grant amount.

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the Dairy Processor Innovation Grant program, which will provide grants for dairy processors to better position their businesses long-term. Key dairy consumers are shifting their purchasing choices to those that support small businesses, rural communities, and have direct, positive impacts to the climate. Leading reasons consumers are switching brands include a desire to support local businesses and companies that share their values as well as a perception that products are better quality, natural/organic, and more environmentally sustainable. Projects funded through this program will support longterm business investments that increase dairy processor business consumer appeal and marketability of value-added dairy products. 

This grant will fund a wide range of projects. Projects may address improvements in topics such as: sourcing, product development, transportation/distribution, marketing/supply chain, operations, employee welfare, consumer experience, utilization of materials or systems that reduce carbon footprint and, and beyond.  

Grants are available to applicants in all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Award

Grants will range from $75,000 to $250,000 with a 25% (cash or in-kind) match commitment required. Total funds available: $1,000,000. 

This grant round will include a two-step application process. Following the review of pre-applications, a subset of applicants will be invited to submit a full application.  

Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.

Each year, the Mutual of America Foundation sponsors a national competition in which hundreds of organizations demonstrate the value of their partnership to the communities they serve, their ability to be replicated by others and their capacity to stimulate new approaches to addressing significant social issues.

Six organizations are selected by an independent committee to receive the Community Partnership Award.

• The Thomas J. Moran Award is given to the national award-winning program and includes $100,000 and a documentary video about the program.
• The Frances R. Hesselbein Award is given to a partnership that is addressing social challenges in more than one community, or which demonstrates the potential to be replicated in other communities. This recipient receives $75,000.
• Four other organizations are named Honorable Mention recipients for their programs, and each receives $50,000.

Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 262 partnerships from cities and towns across America. Like so many of our clients working in the nonprofit community, Mutual of America is dedicated to having a direct, positive impact on society.

The Kimball Foundation is a broad based organization, that is, it gives to a wide variety of causes that run from homeless shelters to environmental concerns, from health centers to volunteer fire and ambulance corps. The Foundation likes to match gifts from other foundations and businesses for a particular project, as well as, help start up projects and small organizations that are struggling - who without help might not be able to continue. The Foundation encourages charitable organizations, with a similar goal or purpose, to work together toward that end.

Gupta Family Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, USA. Our mission is to support organizations that provide focused intervention in the lives of people who have been disadvantaged in some way to help them become self-reliant. We take a very broad view of “disadvantage” to include anything that holds a person back from realizing their potential, such as poverty, physical or mental disability, social alienation, etc. The foundation also supports relief agencies that serve people affected by emergencies such as natural disasters.

The foundation evaluates and awards annual and multi-year grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000 (USD). Our focus is on funding smaller organizations all around the world that are led by individuals with a deep personal commitment to their missions. 

Our selection criteria include:

• Mission alignment
• The organization is run by the founder or, if not, by a successor who embodies the original inspiration, passion and commitment of the founder.
• At least 90% of grant monies reaches the intended beneficiaries.
• The organization is non-sectarian, i.e.,
  • It does not, directly or indirectly, support or condone the proselytization of any religion,
  • It is not supported by or affiliated to a religious organization.

Our Mission

The Hansen Family Foundation provides opportunities to domestic, international, secular, and non-secular organizations that support the American way of life, which is defined by the principles of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” 

Causes

Children

The Hansen Family Foundation supports causes dedicated to helping children both home as well as abroad. Learn More

Education

The Hansen Family Foundation believes that a decent education should be made available to everyone, young or old, the world over. Learn More

Animals

The Hansen Family Foundation believes in helping those who cannot speak on their own behalf. Learn More

Environmental

The Hansen Family Foundation is dedicated to preserving the world we all share. Learn More

Humanitarian

The Hansen Family Foundation views the plight of our fellow man as an opportunity to actively engage and effect change. Learn More

Arts & Culture

The Hansen Family Foundation supports all forms of artistic and cultural endeavors. Learn More

Washington Trust Charitable Foundation

The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation provides grants to 501(c)(3) organizations within our market area, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts and southeastern Connecticut.

Charitable grants range widely in size. Multi-year grants are often considered for capital funding (to build or repair facilities), capital campaigns, or specific projects, with consideration given to:

• Affordable Housing and Revitalization Programs
• Business and Economic Development
• Youth and Family Services
• Hospitals, Health and Human Service Organizations
• Museums, Arts and Cultural Organizations
• Colleges, Universities, Libraries
• Conservation and Environmental Groups

Helping Build Better Futures

Our mission is to deliver great value to our customers every day. For over four decades, our deep commitment to the principles of providing value and caring for others has helped define our culture. It extends beyond the walls of our stores, distribution centers, and offices, and into our local communities around the world. The intersection of these principles defines our global community mission:

Deliver great value to our communities by helping vulnerable families and children access the resources and opportunities they need to build a better future.

Our Social Impact Areas

We bring our community relations mission to life around the world by focusing our giving on four social impact areas where we believe we can have the most impact and are critical to helping families and children succeed and thrive.

Basic Needs

We are passionate about supporting nonprofit organizations that help fill critical basic needs such as a warm meal, clean clothing, and a safe place to sleep for vulnerable families.

Education & Training

Our efforts have focused on quality enrichment and extracurricular programs that provide skills, resources, and opportunities to support school and career success for children, teens, and young adults.

Patient Care & Research

We support organizations that deliver services to families and children facing health challenges and life-threatening illnesses.

Empowering Women

We support programs that provide services ranging from help for those fleeing domestic violence, to others that offer education, training, and job placement resources.