Best Grants for Mentoring Programs in Rhode Island

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting youth health, education, development, or welfare can seek up to US $15,000 for mentoring, enrichment, and related programs, including in Rhode Island. The Dan Paul Foundation funds initiatives such as early childhood development, child advocacy, homelessness and poverty services, refugee enrichment, and environmental education for children and youth worldwide.

Nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations using technology for education, crisis response, or economic empowerment programs in Rhode Island can access funding through Cisco Systems Foundation, with awards up to US $100,000. Eligible projects must primarily serve economically underserved communities and may include mentoring, tutoring, or skills-building initiatives that expand opportunity and resilience.

Nonprofits, educational institutions, government programs, and volunteer fire companies in Rhode Island working on safety, education, or community development can apply for State Farm Companies Foundation’s Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants. Focus areas include auto and home safety, disaster preparedness and recovery, affordable housing, financial literacy, food insecurity, and K–12 and higher education, including STEM and college-career pathways, which may support mentoring initiatives.

Nonprofit cultural institutions in Rhode Island offering arts, arts education, or science programs for youth may be eligible for more than US $100,000 to support program, capital, or limited general operating needs. William Randolph Hearst Foundation prioritizes large, established U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations with strong impact, which can include mentoring-style arts or STEAM initiatives for young people.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

Rhode Island tutoring and mentoring organizations serving urban low-income children and youth can access funding through the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation for education, health, or family economic stability projects. Eligible entities include nonprofits, schools, social enterprises, and public agencies in the U.S., with awards of more than US $50,000 for project support or scaling.

Nonprofit and humanitarian organizations working on health, education, or disaster relief can seek support from Semnani Family Foundation for programs serving marginalized communities worldwide. Semnani Family Foundation provides Rhode Island tutoring and mentoring nonprofits with potential funding when their work advances health, human and social services, or related support for vulnerable populations in the U.S. or abroad.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofits running community, workforce, or youth mentoring-related programs can seek sponsorship support for economic mobility and social progress initiatives. Bank of America Charitable Foundation backs projects addressing basic needs, workforce development, community development, arts and culture, the environment, and diversity and inclusion through its regional U.S. sponsorship program.

Rhode Island community-based organizations running mentoring, youth development, or economic empowerment programs for Black Rhode Islanders can access funding through Rhode Island Foundation, with awards up to US $15,000. Eligible groups need not be Black-led but must advance financial stability, address structural inequities, or support educational success and positive decision-making for Black youth.

The Kroger Foundation is dedicated to uplifting communities through significant charitable contributions, having donated over $1.9 billion in the past six years. Their focus on combating hunger through the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative exemplifies their commitment to social impact. Annually, they provide over $300 million to nonprofit organizations aligned with their mission, promoting health, education, and disaster relief while fostering diversity and inclusion. This initiative reflects Kroger's belief that strong communities are a shared responsibility.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Focused on basic needs and community vitality, Ameriprise Financial invites U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply for support for hunger relief, shelter, adult self-sufficiency, and community development programs. Rhode Island organizations offering mentoring, life skills, workforce preparation, or financial literacy within these focus areas may be eligible, especially where Ameriprise volunteers are actively engaged.

The Nordstrom Community Grant focuses on supporting youth and families by providing over $1 million in grants annually. It aims to assist grassroots organizations that address essential community needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, as well as creating opportunities for economic mobility through mentorship and workforce development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in areas where Nordstrom operates. Applications are encouraged for those meeting these criteria.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) organizations seeking program support in education, social services, health care, civic and cultural initiatives, or environmental projects can access funding through the Dr Scholl Foundation. U.S.-based nonprofits, including those running tutoring or mentoring programs, may request US $5,000 - US $25,000 for one year of project-focused support.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and aligned for-profits working in preservation, education, or wellness can receive more than US $50,000 to tell powerful impact stories through this national Storytelling Grant. Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation supports mentoring and youth-focused programs in Rhode Island when they fit its pillars, including mental health, mentorship, education, and access to nature.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving economic stability, workforce readiness, health, or disaster relief can seek project, operating, or capital support that benefits local communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts operates. With a mission to strengthen underserved individuals and families, O'Reilly Automotive Foundation provides U.S. nonprofits, including those mentoring youth in Rhode Island, with flexible funding options.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries in Rhode Island seeking support for environmental or human services work can apply for unrestricted grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000. Focused on environment and human services, Lawrence Foundation invites applicants whose programs may include tutoring or mentoring components within these broader areas.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running youth mentoring, education, housing, food security, or environmental programs in Rhode Island can apply for Chick Fil A Foundation’s True Inspiration Awards, with grants of US $30,000 - US $350,000. U.S., Canadian, U.K., and Singapore charities serving underserved youth and families may be eligible.

Nonprofit organizations running youth education, life-skills, or community programs in Rhode Island may be eligible for US $1,000 - US $20,000 to strengthen their services. Grants from Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation help U.S. tutoring, mentoring, and related initiatives, especially where modest funding can create a significant impact.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth, families, or vulnerable people through mentoring, education, poverty relief, or related services can seek support for single-year programs. Grants from Robinson Foundation help Southern-region nonprofits, including those in Rhode Island, address children and families, education, disaster relief, medical assistance, animal welfare, conservation, veterans’ issues, and religious or spiritual endeavors.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

Colibrí Fellowship at MIRA

MIRA is pleased to announce the Colibrí Fellowship in partnership with The Resurrection Project. The Fellowship aims to strengthen the capacity of community-based immigration legal services in New England. The opportunity is offered to staff or long-term volunteers of community-based organizations who intend to become DOJ Partially Accredited Representatives.

Program Design

Fellows will participate in intensive training and will receive support with the application to become DOJ Partially Accredited Representatives. Fellows will be expected to spend 10-15 hours a week on coursework and fellowship activities, and participate in all Fellowship components, including the in-person gatherings and two overnight retreats. The Fellowship will run from September 2026 through May 2027.

• Free registration in the Villanova Immigration Studies Training for Advocates program
• Weekly virtual discussion classes and study sessions
• Monthly in-person gatherings in the Greater Boston area with opportunities to be in a community of peers (travel stipend may be available for those traveling more than 90 miles)
• Participation in a launch overnight retreat (September) and a mid-year retreat (January)
• Match with a mentor
• Mentoring and support with the DOJ Recognition and Accreditation application process
• Opportunities to participate in application preparation events (ex: citizenship, screening clinics)
• Access to office hours to receive individualized support with course content and application process

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Rhode Island offering mentoring, tutoring, and youth development programs for primarily low-to-moderate income children and youth can apply for grants from Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation, typically ranging from US $2,500 - US $10,000. Funding can support after-school enrichment, literacy and mentoring, social-emotional programs, and college or career preparation initiatives.

With a mission to support charitable initiatives, Dudley T Dougherty Foundation provides Rhode Island nonprofits with funding for community services, environmental conservation, and peacebuilding projects. 501(c)(3) organizations running mentoring or tutoring components within these broader efforts may be eligible to apply.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations near Rhode Island TJX locations that support basic needs, at-risk youth enrichment, workforce readiness, or safety from domestic violence can apply for TJX Foundation grants. Eligible groups must be within 15 miles of a TJX store, distribution center, or office and may use funds to strengthen youth mentoring and support programs.