Search Through Housing Grants in Rhode Island in the U.S.

What does this program do?

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

What is an eligible area?

Rural areas including cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program.

How may funds be used?

Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

Examples of essential community facilities include:

• Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
• Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements.
• Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing.
• Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment.
• Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools.
• Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment.
• Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses.

Grant Approval

Applicant must be eligible for grant assistance, which is provided on a graduated scale with smaller communities with the lowest median household income being eligible for projects with a higher proportion of grant funds. Grant assistance is limited to the following percentages of eligible project costs:

Maximum of 75 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 5,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 60 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 55 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 12,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 70 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 35 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 80 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 15 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 90 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income. The proposed project must meet both percentage criteria. Grants are further limited.

Investing in Our Communities

A hallmark of our philanthropy is the hundreds of community donations we make each year supporting local needs and events important to our neighbors across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Our commitment as a good corporate citizen starts with listening to community members.

Eastern Bank Foundation (EBF) is committed to helping our neighbors and communities prosper. Last year, we invested over $16 million in nearly 1,500 local organizations providing vital services across Eastern Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Impact Grant

Support for organizations that are advancing Economic Inclusion and Mobility in our communities in five strategy areas: 

• Advancing equity in the small business ecosystem
• Enriching early childhood development (Children ages 0-5)
  • This area is not focused on initiatives aimed at people in grades K-16.
• Meeting the demand for safe, supportive, and affordable housing
• Promoting workforce development for “untapped talent” that provides family-sustaining wages.
  • "Untapped talent" refers to working age individuals who desire to work or to work more or at higher levels than they currently do because they face obstacles to achieving that goal. This includes immigrant workers and workers with disabilities, among others.
• Innovating (i.e., testing new methods, approaches, or tools) to advance economicmobility and inclusion which connect in some way to the four areas of focus listedabove.

Impact Grants must be focused on individuals and families who are Low to Moderate Income (LMI). Grant sizes generally range from $50,000 to $100,000, and sometimes more.

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

What does this program do?

Provides grants to qualified organizations to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects. Grant recipients supervise groups of very-low- and low-income individuals and families as they construct their own homes in rural areas. The group members provide most of the construction labor on each other’s homes, with technical assistance from the organization overseeing the project.

What is an eligible area?

Applicants can check eligible areas at eligible addresses.

How may funds be used?

• Give technical and supervisory assistance to participating families
• Help other organizations provide self-help technical and supervisory assistance
• Recruit families, help them complete loan applications and carry out other related activities that enable them to participate

Philanthropy is our commitment to communities in which we operate and broader society. We focus our resources on a limited number of key projects that can deliver valuable benefits from our contributions and those of our partners. We give priority to innovative, high-quality projects that meet the following criteria:

• promote sustainable development
• offer an opportunity for Roche to use its expertise and logistics capabilities
• involve Roche actively at an early stage with local authorities and established partners
• engage Roche employees in cultural (focus on contemporary arts), educational and social activities
• managed by an accredited charity

Our four focus areas

Humanitarian and Social

We direct the majority of our philanthropic donations to humanitarian and social development projects.

Science and education

We are dedicated to programmes that promote scientific interest and provide educational opportunities for young people around the world.

Community and Environment

We are committed to building stronger communities and responding to natural disasters sustainably.

Arts and Culture

We support groundbreaking contemporary art, cultural projects and activities that explore the parallels between innovation in art and in science. 

The June Rockwell Levy Foundation makes grants to Internal Revenue Code 501 (c)(3) organizations serving the communities of Providence County, with a preference for northern Rhode Island. As a general rule, the Foundation does not make grants to public schools, including charter schools. 

Please apply for the sector that most closely aligns with your organization. Applications that are out of sector may be deferred until the appropriate sector deadline.

Applicants may apply for funding once per calendar year.

This grant has multiple deadlines for 2025

The Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to organizations committed to improving our world. Solutions to the problems of today's world still lie in the values of innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion.

The Foundation considers applications for grants in the following areas:

• Education
• Social Service
• Health care
• Civic and cultural
• Environmental

The categories above are not intended to limit the interest of the Foundation from considering other worthwhile projects. In general, the Foundation guidelines are broad to give us flexibility in providing grants.

The majority of our grants are made in the U.S. However, like Dr. Scholl, we recognize the need for a global outlook. Non-U.S. grants are given to organizations where directors have knowledge of the grantee.

Ocean State Charities Trust

Ocean State Charities Trust assists agencies and organizations within the state of Rhode Island to enhance the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders.

Our Mission

The Trust Agreement establishing the Trust in 1981 mandates that the money and income received thereon be distributed for the charitable purpose of “promoting social welfare in Rhode Island” by aiding or assisting its citizens in the areas of housing, health, education, and welfare.

The grant-making policies of the Trust specify that grantees must be qualified under Section 501(c)(3) as a public charity, be incorporated in Rhode Island, be in operation for two consecutive years before applying, and follow detailed application and review process. The Trust considers applications for grants on a semi-annual basis, generally in May and November of each year. In the absence of exceptional circumstances, the Trust will not make grants to organizations to fund a program purpose for which the Trust has previously made a grant award within the past eighteen months.

Harry Kizirian Award

Social services for all

Ocean State Charities Trust

Ocean State Charities Trust assists agencies and organizations within the state of Rhode Island to enhance the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders.

Our Mission

The Trust Agreement establishing the Trust in 1981 mandates that the money and income received thereon be distributed for the charitable purpose of “promoting social welfare in Rhode Island” by aiding or assisting its citizens in the areas of housing, health, education, and welfare.

The grant-making policies of the Trust specify that grantees must be qualified under Section 501(c)(3) as a public charity, be incorporated in Rhode Island, be in operation for two consecutive years before applying, and follow detailed application and review process. The Trust considers applications for grants on a semi-annual basis, generally in May and November of each year. In the absence of exceptional circumstances, the Trust will not make grants to organizations to fund a program purpose for which the Trust has previously made a grant award within the past eighteen months.

Helen A. Marandola Award

Health care for all

Ocean State Charities Trust

Ocean State Charities Trust assists agencies and organizations within the state of Rhode Island to enhance the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders.

Our Mission

The Trust Agreement establishing the Trust in 1981 mandates that the money and income received thereon be distributed for the charitable purpose of “promoting social welfare in Rhode Island” by aiding or assisting its citizens in the areas of housing, health, education, and welfare.

The grant-making policies of the Trust specify that grantees must be qualified under Section 501(c)(3) as a public charity, be incorporated in Rhode Island, be in operation for two consecutive years before applying, and follow detailed application and review process. The Trust considers applications for grants on a semi-annual basis, generally in May and November of each year. In the absence of exceptional circumstances, the Trust will not make grants to organizations to fund a program purpose for which the Trust has previously made a grant award within the past eighteen months.

Roger Schonning Award

Safety and well-being for all

Our Mission

The mission of the Vermont Mutual Charitable Giving Fund is to enhance the quality of life in communities where the Group conducts business, by providing financial support to worthy community organizations.

Where We Give

The Charitable Giving Fund is designed to benefit organizations within the marketing territories of Vermont Mutual Insurance Group that aim to improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities.

Giving Focus

The Fund provides financial support to organizations that help to build, maintain and enrich healthy lives and strong, vibrant communities. The Fund's primary focus is to contribute to non-profit organizations that serve communities through any of the following four initiatives:

• Promote Education: Examples may include traditional and non-traditional opportunities focused on inspiring academic excellence, leadership and community service
• Foster Youth: Examples may include teaching and modeling positive life skills
• Community-based: Programs that build better communities in which to live and work
• Satisfy Basic Needs: Examples may include affordable housing, homelessness and hunger

For over 25 years the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation has provided funding and support to our communities. Our hope is that the investments we make, help to create a more equitable place to live and work and improve the quality of life for everyone in our communities.

Areas of Focus

Education & Literacy

Education is an essential foundation for prosperity and opportunity. We fund various types of educational support including early learning programs and initiatives, all levels of academic learning, workforce development, job training and more.

Economic Development

We fund activities and programs that work to improve the economic well-being and quality of life of our communities. Particularly those that focus on community development, diversification, creating and retaining jobs and building the local tax base.

Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing can improve the quality of life of residents leading to better health, adequate jobs, financial stability, security, and population diversity. We fund a wide variety of affordable housing initiatives including organizations and programs that provide credit counseling, homebuyer education, temporary and affordable housing solutions.

Critical Needs/Sustainability

This is a new area of focus added during the past year in response to the serious issues impacting our communities. The effects of Covid-19 and social injustice continue to be felt throughout our community and have negatively impacted many of our community organizations. We want to address these and other community impact issues as well as create the flexibility to address new critical needs and sustainability concerns that may arise.

Funding Ranges/Restrictions:

In an effort to assist as many qualified organizations as possible within our market areas, our Foundation awards grants of varying sizes depending on the specific project being funded. However, please note the following:

One-time Grants

• The average range for grants is up to $10,000.
• Successful applicants are limited to one grant per year.

Large Dollar Multi-Year Grants

• Our Foundation has a cap for the amount of multi-year grants issued annually
• Successful applicants are precluded from receiving additional grants during the multi-year funding period.

Ocean State Charities Trust

Ocean State Charities Trust assists agencies and organizations within the state of Rhode Island to enhance the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders.

Our Mission

The Trust Agreement establishing the Trust in 1981 mandates that the money and income received thereon be distributed for the charitable purpose of “promoting social welfare in Rhode Island” by aiding or assisting its citizens in the areas of housing, health, education, and welfare.

The grant-making policies of the Trust specify that grantees must be qualified under Section 501(c)(3) as a public charity, be incorporated in Rhode Island, be in operation for two consecutive years before applying, and follow detailed application and review process. The Trust considers applications for grants on a semi-annual basis, generally in May and November of each year. In the absence of exceptional circumstances, the Trust will not make grants to organizations to fund a program purpose for which the Trust has previously made a grant award within the past eighteen months.

Edward Ricci Award

Education for all

Deadlines

The online application deadline of February 1st would require the additional paperwork to be sent to Ocean State Charities Trust no later than March 1st. The online application deadline of August 1st would require the additional paperwork to be sent to Ocean State Charities Trust no later then September 1st.

About the Providence Shelter Foundation

Founded in 1838 by a visionary Quaker woman, The Providence Shelter Foundation has evolved from its original purpose of housing orphans of color and the children of domestic workers. Today, as Rhode Island’s oldest independent charity, it is a philanthropic foundation that supports organizations serving historically marginalized children of color and their families in Rhode Island.

About the Grant

Since 1838, The Providence Shelter Foundation has been dedicated to supporting the well-being and education of children of color in Rhode Island’s urban core communities. Our grants focus on programs that offer well-being, mental health support, educational advancement, and leadership opportunities, including funding initiatives in art exposure, summer camperships, music training, and various other programs designed to develop well-rounded youth.

About the Foundation

Jesse W. Couch lived a life of zeal, honor, and dedication to the betterment of his community. The Couch family now humbly stewards the foundation he created to carry on his legacy of service for future generations. We believe that impact is best accomplished through partnerships with local organizations that know the people and communities they serve. We invest in and support efforts to protect the environment, further conservation and preservation initiatives, and save historical architecture that preserves community heritage. We also support initiatives that promote wellness and mental health and organizations seeking to provide and further education for all communities.

Annual Grant Focus

Each year, we seek to partner with and support non-profit organizations making an impact in the focus areas listed here.  The focus areas for 2025 are:

• Animal Wellbeing: We are dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations that nurture compassion and respect for all living animals. We must have animal-focused organizations that advocate for animal rights and provide humane treatment across all spectrums.
• Early Childhood Education: We are looking for schools that are providing young children with a creative and balanced approach to education. Things we love in early childhood curriculums:
  • Life Skills
  • Collaboration With Their Peers and Teachers   
  • Having Fun   
  • Montessori Teachings   
  • Project Based Teachings   
  • Diversity   
  • More Time Outside   
  • Less Screen Time
• Teachers: Teachers are essential to providing children with the best possible education. We must invest in their future and are always looking for teams that help them succeed in educating future generations.
• Get Outside: Being outside can improve memory, fight depression, lower blood pressure, and more! We support organizations that facilitate and encourage more outdoor activities that help create healthier communities. 

Basic Human Needs Grants support community agencies that provide emergency assistance to Rhode Islanders most in need. Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded to community-based programs that provide direct assistance, such as:

• Food (food pantries, soup kitchens)
• Clothing
• Housing/rental assistance
• Prescription assistance
• Utilities assistance
• Transportation assistance (bus passes, auto repairs)
• Child care assistance for homeless families
• Toiletries

Basic Human Needs Grants support the launch of a new program or support of an established program. For established programs, the Basic Human Needs Grant cannot be the only source of funding.

Site visits may be conducted.

Rhode Island Department of Health

Community-Driven Outreach for Hypertension Management and Diabetes Prevention

Short-Term Project Opportunity Memo and Application

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health Program (RIDCH) invites applications from eligible organizations and agencies to apply for a Short-Term Project to create and implement products or events that aim to promote hypertension management and diabetes prevention in Providence communities. Products and events should also promote use of available preventive health services and community resources to address social determinant of health (SDOH) needs.

The funding period for this Short-Term Project will begin approximately April 15, 2025 through August 31, 2025.

A minimum of five (5) organizations will be awarded up to $4,999 each.

Scope of Work

The Rhode Island Department of Health Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health (RIDCH) Program aims to prevent and reduce death and disability due to diabetes, heart disease and stroke through evidence-based and evidence informed strategies. Community-based outreach is an effective strategy that supplements standard clinic care for hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes. Therefore, the goal of this Short-Term Project Opportunity is to increase the availability and presence of community messages and events for blood pressure management and diabetes prevention within the city of Providence. Messages and events should also promote use of available preventive health services and community resources to address social determinant of health (SDOH) needs.

During the 4.5-month program implementation period, recipients will:

• Develop and implement multi-cultural, multilingual community messages and events for blood pressure management and diabetes prevention within the city of Providence. To increase the effectiveness of community outreach efforts, recipients are encouraged to promote use of available preventive health services and community resources to address SDOH needs. Examples include:
  • rapid blood pressure and prediabetes screenings within community settings (e.g., barber shops, hair salons, faith-based organizations)
  • community conversations regarding the importance of annual physicals and well visits and booking an appointment with the care manager and/or CHW to navigate resources and systems to address SDOH (e.g., food insecurity, transportation, housing)
  • culturally and linguistically appropriate messaging to encourage blood pressure and prediabetes/diabetes screening (e.g., Know Your Numbers campaign, Diabetes Risk Test)
  • culturally and linguistically appropriate promotion of evidence-based lifestyle change programs such as National DPP, Vida Sana, and SMBP.
• Attend a mandatory evaluation training within the first month of the project period, and implement an evaluation plan to measure effectiveness and reach
• Meet monthly to touch-base with RIDOH Community Engagement Coordinator to discuss progress, challenges, etc.
• As needed or applicable, attend monthly Providence Community Advisory Network (Providence CAN) meetings to share products or messages for feedback and/or distribution support
• Produce a final summary report by September 15, 2025 (template to be provided)
• Attend the September 2025 Providence CAN meeting to provide a project completion report-out, inclusive of efforts for evaluation and sustainability 

Community Giving through the Chelsea Groton Foundation

Chelsea Groton Foundation, Inc. was established in 1998 as a Section 501(c)(3) organization. Initially endowed with a $2 million dollar donation from Chelsea Groton Bank, the Foundation has awarded over $6.79 million in grants to non-profit organizations in the Bank’s Connecticut and Rhode Island market areas.

The Foundation’s mission is to support the ongoing commitment in partnership to the long-term growth of our community. Along with Chelsea Groton Bank, the Foundation is committed to belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring an ongoing sense of belonging for all, today and in the future.

Since its inception in 1998, the Chelsea Groton Foundation has awarded over $6.79 million in grants to non-profit organizations in the Connecticut and Rhode Island market areas. Throughout that time, there have always been two grant cycles per year. Due to the rising increase in requests, and after careful consideration, the Chelsea Groton Foundation Board has decided to make a few changes to the Grant Procedures EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2025 in order to best support our community partners.

James W. Blake "Catalyst" Award

Accelerating growth & impact in the local community 

James W. Blake served as President and CEO for HarborOne Bank for over 25 years. During his tenure, the Bank grew from$ 458 million to $4.5 billion in assets. Through this tremendous period of growth, Jim remained committed to the people and communities where HarborOne Bank had a presence. Jim lent his time, talent and voice to numerous local and state-wide organizations and encouraged staff and Bank leadership to do the same. Under Jim’s leadership, HarborOne established a first of its kind financial education center serving over 20,000 individuals and businesses, a robust college scholarship program which invests $1M in promising area students, and the HarborOne Foundations serving Massachusetts & Rhode Island that have donated over $5 Million to local nonprofit organizations. Beyond the time, wisdom and financial support, Jim served as a model for all who have had the pleasure to work with him, as he treated any and all with respect and dignity. As a social entrepreneur and business leader, Jim is a believer in the value of investing in quality organizations and watching them grow and make an impact in the cities and towns served by HarborOne.

Award Purpose

The annual James W. Blake “Catalyst” Award is intended to assist a local organization in dramatically accelerating their organizational development, impact and reach. The award will support transformative projects or small but critical capital projects that will have a substantial effect on the organization and who they serve.

Investment Focus Areas

RIF: Joseph O'Neill Ott Fund Grant

In a bequest to the Rhode Island Foundation in 1994, Joseph O'Neill Ott, a leader in the preservation and antiquities community in the state, established a permanent endowment dedicated to document preservation. He requested that the income generated be used to preserve original historical manuscripts, documents, and municipal records dating from the 19th century and earlier for the smaller cities and towns in Rhode Island.

Grants generally range from $250 to $750 and support direct conservation efforts for paper-based documents, photographs, and other two-dimensional historical evidence (excluding artwork). This can include restoration, preservation (including the purchase of containers or housing for documents), or to defray the costs associated with the acquisition of documents. Proposals that demonstrate concern about long-term storage issues or have planned document storage will be looked upon most favorably. All historical and preservation societies from the smaller cities and towns of Rhode Island are eligible to apply for an Ott grant.

An advisory committee of conservationists will recommend documents suitable for consideration. Only documents created before 1900 will be considered. 

Applicants are encouraged to also look at the Rhode Island Supreme Court Historical Society Fund, to see if their project meets that fund’s similar requirements. 

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

Mission

Robert M. Lynch established the Adelaide Dawson Lynch Trust in memory of his wife in 1993. This trust supports charitable organizations that provide food and shelter to Rhode Island citizens who are economically disadvantaged.

Grant Amounts

Grants are typically between $1,000 and $5,000 and larger or multi-year grants may be made for special campaigns.

Program type

• Housing & Shelter;
• Human Services.

Autism Community Impact Grant

The Flutie Foundation recognizes not-for-profit organizations who share our mission to help individuals and families with autism live life to the fullest. For our 2023 Autism Community Impact Grant, we will continue granting these organizations with a particular emphasis on supporting traditionally under-served, under-funded, culturally diverse communities.

Our Autism Community Impact Grant cycle will consider requests that will help fund programs and projects showing potential to make an IMMEDIATE impact in the community and align with the Flutie Foundation priorities as stated in our Seven Key Dimensions described below. We especially encourage organizations with programs serving those most profoundly affected by autism to apply and share their stories.

Grant Funding Priorities

Work/School

Providing a path for educational opportunities, vocational skills programs, employment, housing, transportation and healthcare delivery for individuals on the autism spectrum.   

Active/Social

Support for recreational and sports programs, aquatic programs, social skills training, family events and summer camps for all individuals on the autism spectrum.

Safe/Supported/Informed

Funding for community organizations and schools who are providing vital resources and actively assisting individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families through advocacy programs, diagnostic and clinical services, direct family support, safety equipment, emergency care, respite services and other opportunities that will enhance the quality of life for those affected.

Mission Statement

Rockland Trust’s philanthropic mission is to strengthen the communities served by the Bank. We enable individuals and their families to access opportunity and improve the quality of their lives.

Funding Priorities

The Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation prioritizes its grants to organizations and programs that serve a majority low-to-moderate income population in the following areas:

Affordable Housing

Priority is given to programs that create and provide safe, affordable housing, or provide programs and services to provide shelter and/or foster homeownership or ensure that individuals and families stay in their current homes, thereby preventing homelessness. Typical programs funded are:

• Development of low-to-moderate income housing
• Emergency home repairs
• Rental assistance programs
• Homebuyer education programs
• Foreclosure prevention and homeowner counseling programs
• Domestic violence and homeless shelters

Children & Youth

Priority is given to programs that are preventive in nature and that focus on providing children and youth equal access and opportunity to programs and services that foster health, wellness, education, and leadership skills to achieve their full potential. Typical programs funded are:

• Parenting education and training
• Early childhood education
• Social-emotional and mental health
• After-school enrichment/tutoring programs in sports, arts, leadership with an educational component
• Mentoring and literacy programs
• Access to summer camps for underserved youth
• Career/College exploration, preparation and support

Financial Inclusion & Workforce Development

Priority is given to programs that provide consumers and individuals with financial education and build employment skills they will need to achieve their potential and become contributing members of society.

Typical programs funded are:

• Financial literacy education, including money management, budgeting, banking, credit building and debt reduction
• Adult education, e.g., English as a Second Language
• Job preparation, training, and placement

Small Business Support

Priority is given to programs that provide small business assistance programs that strengthen our communities. Typical programs funded are:

• Small business assistance
• Entrepreneurial support programs

The Rhode Island Foundation

Mission

As Rhode Island’s only community foundation, we mobilize generosity and motivate change that makes a difference. Our local roots, state-wide relationships, and century of experience anchor our work, and our hopes for our home reach high.

Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund Grants

The Black Philanthropy Initiative was established as a field of interest fund at the Rhode Island Foundation. Bannister House was a nursing home for retired African American domestic workers located in Providence. When Bannister House was sold, the former board contributed the proceeds to the Black Philanthropy Initiative, and in 2016 the fund was renamed the Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund. The fund will continue to honor the original focus of Bannister House and the Black Philanthropy Initiative by supporting the most pressing needs of Rhode Island's Black community.

The fund prioritizes two core areas:

• Grants to community-based organizations that strive to uplift Black Rhode Islanders experiencing low-income. The programs should target financial stability, economic empowerment, and structural inequities. Funded programs may offer support for economic empowerment and financial stability, and may address structural inequities. Funded programs may also support and promote the history and achievement of Black Rhode Islanders and preserve the culture of the Black community.

• Grants to community-based organizations that provide youth development and mentoring opportunities to Black youth. Funded programs may target educational success, avoidance of high-risk behavior, and may encourage positive decision making to achieve higher aspirations.