Best Grants for After School Programs in Rhode Island

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) public charities running after-school or youth development programs can apply for $2,500 - $10,000 to support educational enrichment, mentoring, summer learning, and related services for low- to moderate-income children and teens. With a mission to strengthen communities, Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation also funds housing stability, financial literacy, and workforce readiness initiatives in eligible areas.

Rhode Island-based nonprofit organizations planning capital projects for facilities or equipment can seek challenge grants to leverage matching donations and strengthen after-school or other community programs. Grants from The Champlin Foundation help organizations in areas like education, youth services, libraries, and after school or summer educational programs fund construction, renovation, real estate purchase, or tangible property needs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running after-school or summer educational programs in Rhode Island and the broader Northeast can seek up to US $2,500 to support local needs. The Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation prioritizes small, well-run groups with limited assets and government funding that relieve suffering for people or animals in need.

Textron Charitable Trust provides Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofits and accredited K–12 schools with funding for workforce development, education, arts, community revitalization, and health and human services where Textron operates. After-school and youth enrichment programs, mentoring, literacy, and job readiness initiatives may be especially competitive if they engage Textron employee volunteers.

Rhode Island tax-exempt organizations running accredited youth camps can access funding through The Champlin Foundation to provide camperships for children who could not otherwise afford summer camp. Eligible after-school or summer educational program providers may apply through the online portal each fall, with decisions by December and awards distributed by mid-January.

Rhode Island after-school and alternative education programs run by 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through Island Foundation for experiential and out-of-school educational activities. Support is available for informal and school-based programs that connect youth with the natural world, encourage community service, and expand opportunities for at-risk students, including maritime trades and hands-on marine education.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) organizations serving children, including after school and summer educational programs, can seek funding for direct services like snacks, meals, playground equipment, computers, art supplies, and lessons. With a mission to aid children’s welfare, Billy Andrade Brad Faxon Charities for Children supports programs for youth 18 and under in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts counties.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, higher education institutions, government units, and Tribes in Rhode Island can apply for ServeRI’s AmeriCorps State and National grants to create member service positions that address community needs and support education or career pathways. Programs, including after school or summer educational initiatives, may use AmeriCorps members to deliver services while fostering workforce and post-secondary readiness.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) organizations running after-school or youth educational programs for economically or educationally disadvantaged communities can access funding through the Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation. Support may come as program-related investments or grants for education, after-school programs, job training, housing, health, and broader community development in the U.S. and select developing regions.

Public school classroom teachers in grades 3–8 can receive donated Walking Classroom sets to integrate physical activity with academic instruction, including after-school and summer programs in Rhode Island. Alliance for a Healthier Generation prioritizes U.S. schools serving upper elementary and middle school students with the greatest socioeconomic and academic need.

State education affiliates in Rhode Island and nationwide can apply for the NEA Federal Rescue Implementation Network Grant, with awards up to US $100,000 to fund a coordinator for American Rescue Plan implementation. Affiliates supporting K–12 public education, including after school and summer educational programs, may benefit from this staffing support.

Out-of-school time programs supporting middle school students, including those in Rhode Island, can receive US $20,000 in one-year general operating support to strengthen afterschool and summer learning. The New York Life Foundation funds OST programs serving low-income or disadvantaged communities that help students successfully transition from 8th to 9th grade.

High school students from economically disadvantaged families in Rhode Island and nationwide can receive paid summer chemistry research fellowships and scholarships supporting STEM majors. With a mission to expand STEM research opportunities, American Chemical Society provides Project SEED internships, stipends up to US $20,000, and potential travel support for students meeting income and coursework criteria.

After-school and youth-serving organizations in Rhode Island that provide direct programming to low-income, at-risk children can access free ticketed experiences through Tickets For Kids Foundation. Grants from Tickets For Kids Foundation help after-school and summer educational programs, schools, camps, and social service agencies enrich youth with arts, culture, theater, and other educational outings.

Undergraduate, graduate, and medical students interested in pediatric oncology research can receive summer stipends to work in a clinical or lab setting; awards are US $5,000 paid to the mentor’s institution. With a mission to advance childhood cancer research, St Baldricks Foundation supports U.S. students, including those connected to Rhode Island after-school or summer educational programs.

The Nonprofit Resource Training Grant offers up to $1,000 for tax-exempt organizations to send employees to essential training and conferences. This initiative supports community-based groups that serve low- to moderate-income populations and align with The Ready Commitment. By enhancing employee skills, the grant aims to strengthen nonprofits and their impact in the community, ensuring they provide valuable services effectively.

The Nicholas B. Ottaway Foundation offers grants through its Education Committee to support programs enhancing educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged students. These grants focus on initiatives like tutoring, college preparation, and internship programs. To qualify, organizations must be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3). Preference is given to projects that provide ongoing support to students post-graduation, particularly in specific geographic areas such as San Diego County and the New York Metropolitan Area.

The Kars4Kids Small Grant Program aims to support educational initiatives globally, impacting the lives of children. This program welcomes applications from IRS-recognized nonprofit organizations focused on youth development, mentorship, and education. Grants typically range from $500 to $2,000, depending on mission alignment and available funds. Kars4Kids, a national Jewish nonprofit, is dedicated to nurturing productive community members through educational and mentoring opportunities.

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation offers Academic Enrichment Grants to support innovative educational programs that enhance student learning for low-income children. These grants, up to $10,000 per year for two years, aim to foster creativity and critical thinking in K-12 education. Applications are accepted from educators at nonprofit organizations who engage with students directly. The initiative emphasizes collaboration and seeks projects that enrich academic experiences and inspire student curiosity.

The Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation offers Trilogy Grants to organizations that have received at least three Single-Year grants. Each grant totals $25,000 over three years, with $10,000 in the first year and $7,500 in the following years. Limited to a 50-mile radius from MetroWest Boston, the Foundation prioritizes measurable projects in arts and general education. Only four Trilogy Grants are awarded annually, encouraging sustained educational engagement through hands-on experiences.

The Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation offers Single-Year Grants to support projects in arts and general education for preschool through high school. With an annual budget of about $300,000, grants can reach up to $10,000. Priority is given to hands-on arts education projects, with 75% of the budget allocated to this area. Organizations must wait one year after receiving three consecutive grants before reapplying. Eligibility is limited to projects within a 50-mile radius of MetroWest Boston.

Educators and SHAPE America members running after-school or out-of-school sports and physical activity programs, including those in Rhode Island, can seek funding for projects that expand opportunities for girls and women in sport. The Society of Health and Physical Educators offers US $1,000 for proposals such as research, leadership development, after-school programs, or speaker support.

Our Guiding Vision

A community where strong and accessible education can expand worlds and change lives.

History of the Trust

The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust comprises two generations of the Hamilton family with a long history of philanthropy in the Philadelphia region. Since 1992, the family has been committed to improving educational opportunities for children and youth, a mission established by Dorrance (Dodo) Hamilton (1928–2017), mother and grandmother of the family Trustees. The family extended their philanthropic reach to Palm Beach County, FL and Aquidneck Island, RI in 2017. The family convenes four times annually to honor this legacy, supporting myriad programs that enhance the lives of the young people they serve.

Hamilton Family Foundation Grant

Program Focus

• Data-driven literacy-based programs focused on developing robust reading and writing skills with a strong history of success.
  • These can be programs that:
    • Take place during school hours, after school, or during the summer.
    • Take place across school systems, but the funding can support only nonsectarian programming including within a religious institution.
  • Grades K-8 programs should devote at least 70 percent of their time directly to instruction and activities in reading and writing.
  • Grades 9-12 programs should provide innovative approaches to students in under-resourced areas for success in higher education, from the college admission process and acceptance through to completion.
  • Youth workforce development programs that focus on quality career exploration and preparation initiatives.
  • Recreational programs with a strong academic component.

Things To Consider

• First-time grants: generally designated for program support. The Trust rarely funds new staff positions for initial grants.
• Continuing partners: generally made for either programmatic or operational support.
• Multi-year grants: requests are typically reserved for grantees with five (5) years or more of consecutive funding from the Trust. Multi-year grants require approval prior to application submission. Approval is generally communicated in response to the LOI.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofits, religious organizations, and public schools that provide food to people in need can receive donated bread and baked goods through the Day-End Dough-Nation program. Panera Bread Foundation partners with after school programs and other community services that can commit to weekly, ongoing pickups and distribution of these items.

Rhode Island after-school and youth-serving nonprofits supporting hunger relief, education, youth development, or family services can access funding through Wegmans Family Foundation. Grants may support after-school or summer educational programs, youth sports and activities, health and wellness initiatives, and community collaborations that enrich neighborhoods, assist youth and families, and expand economic mobility opportunities.

High school graduates pursuing career and technical education can receive scholarship support for community college or vocational programs, helping fund summer and other coursework toward an associate degree, license, or certificate. Arizona Community Foundation’s Pathway to Careers fund serves Sedona/Verde Valley residents and may benefit Rhode Island programs guiding students into similar after-school or summer CTE pathways.

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $304 million in scholarships to more than 3,400 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive academic advising, career pathway counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $136 million in grants to organizations that serve such students.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s scholarship programs are designed to encourage and support outstanding students who work hard and have financial need. Our scholarships provide financial assistance and academic support to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. In addition to the monetary award, students join a thriving network of more than 3,400 Cooke Scholars.

Young Scholars Program

The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for exceptionally promising 7th grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities.

Program Experience

Educational Advisers support Young Scholars to maximize high school experiences and to go on to thrive at the nation’s top-performing colleges. Our programming and support may include:

• Identifying an appropriately rigorous high school.
• Engaging in four-year planning and goal-setting.
• Funding for academic and extracurricular opportunities, such as music and art lessons, supplemental academic classes and technology.
• Annual summer programs, including two required Young Scholar programs.
• Year-round Young Scholars community programming.
• Networking opportunities with a high-achieving peer community.