Best Grants for Nonprofit Child Care Centers in Rhode Island

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including child care centers, can access funding through Eastern Bank Foundation for events, program support, and equipment or supplies, with awards ranging from US $1,000 - US $10,000. Eligible organizations focused on community vibrancy, economic inclusion, and related human services in Eastern Bank’s market area may benefit.

Nonprofit organizations planning community or child care–related events can seek sponsorship funding to support highly visible projects, primarily near Springdale, Arkansas and select events in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. Tyson Foods welcomes proposals that clearly state community benefits, outline event visibility, and show how sponsorships advance the organization’s core mission and tax-deductible activities.

501(c)(3) nonprofits improving educational outcomes for children and youth can apply for Comis Foundation grants of US $5,000 - US $75,000 to pilot programs, build capacity, or support innovative operations. While the foundation prioritizes several U.S. regions, a small number of organizations with national scope, including those supporting child care services, may be eligible.

Rhode Island nonprofit child care and youth-serving organizations can access funding through the Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation to support self-sustaining programs in child care services, after-school education, housing, health, and community development. 501(c)(3) organizations may request program-related investments or grants for initiatives that expand economic and educational opportunities for disadvantaged families.

Nonprofit organizations providing education, child care services, or youth enrichment programs, including those in Rhode Island, may be eligible for funding to improve educational access, job readiness, and community quality of life. Nordson Corporation Foundation supports initiatives from early childhood through career preparation, as well as human services, arts, and civic programs in selected U.S. counties by invitation-only application.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) child care and youth-serving organizations in Rhode Island can apply for grants up to US $15,000 to support children’s health, wellness, and related services. Grants from 15 and the Mahomies Foundation help programs providing child care, early childhood development, and support for children with disabilities and mental health needs.

Nonprofit charities serving the needs of children, including those providing child care services, can apply for national partnership funding that supports their programs and growth. CAPTRUST Community Foundation provides U.S. child-focused organizations with a major Charity of Choice award and multiple additional national grants each year, which may benefit Rhode Island child care nonprofits.

Rhode Island child care and community groups without 501(c)(3) status can receive Eastern Bank Foundation Neighborhood Donations for program support or event sponsorship. This corporate funder offers US $100 - US $1,000 to grassroots organizations working on child care services and related community needs in its regional market, including Rhode Island.

Rhode Island nonprofit child care and early childhood organizations can seek funding to support nurturing early care, family economic stability, and community well-being. Grants from WK Kellogg Foundation help U.S. child care services and related 501(c)(3) entities expand early learning, maternal and child health, good food access, and racial equity initiatives that benefit children and families.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing child care, youth services, or children’s health and hunger programs can request monetary or in-kind dining certificate support to benefit kids and families. Brinker International provides this support to eligible organizations once per calendar year, with applications due at least six weeks before the related event.

Focused on improving children’s lives, Thing 123 Foundation invites Rhode Island child care and child welfare nonprofits to seek support for programs and services that enhance children’s well-being. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charities, including those operating child care centers, may be eligible if their projects align with the foundation’s mission and submit a complete application.

Joseph G Markoly Foundation Inc

When Joseph Markoly originally established the foundation more than thirty years ago, its focus was on Alzheimer’s and heart disease support, funded through a number of the larger national disease-related organizations. Over time the focus has shifted to helping small to mid-size organizations in our local communities which support children and seniors in a variety of effective ways. 

Markoly Foundation was established in honor of Joseph G. Markoly, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who wanted to make a positive impact in people’s lives. Joseph’s family was affected directly by both Alzheimer’s and heart disease having lost a family member to each condition. For that reason, the foundation dedicates a majority of their resources to providing grants to organizations that focus on the treatment of each of these diseases. In addition, Markoly Foundation supports a variety of programs dedicated to helping children and seniors by providing services, supplies, programs and research in areas impacting these demographics.

Joseph G. Markoly Foundation Grant Support for Children’s Organizations

Children are the future of this world and the Markoly Foundation is proud to fund local programs dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families. From providing vision services for school kids to classes on parenting, we are proud to do our part to help fund critical community programs for families.

We are dedicated to providing funding for local nonprofit programs that improve the quality of life for all, but particularly for the children and elders in our community.

Theresa Alessandra Russo Foundation Inc

The Theresa Foundation honors the memory of Theresa Alessandra Russo by touching the lives of children with special needs and their families. The Foundation fosters each child’s unique abilities by supporting programs focusing on art, music, dance, drama, and recreation.

The Theresa Foundation has a vision of the world where artistic expression and physical recreation are just as important to adults as they are to children. We believe in a world where every child, regardless of ability or challenging conditions, is free to communicate through and participate in every art or recreational activity. A society without art is a society without soul. Art enables us to express our inner thoughts, fears, joys, and sadness.  

The Theresa Foundation Grant Program

The Theresa Foundation Grant Program is committed to providing financial support for programs in art, music, dance, drama, or recreation that are designed specifically for children with special needs in order to ensure that no one is excluded from these activities. 

We believe that every individual should have the opportunity to participate in art, music, dance, drama or recreation if they so choose. Our grant program works to provide direct funding for the success of these activities, while also promoting an environment of acceptance and inclusiveness where all can take part without judgment or fear. 

As of 2026, the Theresa Foundation has provided over $3,300,000 in grant funding for over 200 programs in 29 states throughout the country and 4 international grants. With your help we can continue to make a difference in the lives of those with special needs by providing them access to enriching experiences that would otherwise be out of reach. 

Grants from Joyful Heart Foundation help Rhode Island nonprofits, Tribal, and governmental organizations supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse fund staff wellness and secondary trauma mitigation. Eligible child care centers and related agencies can receive up to US $5,000 for self-care training, small capital items, and staff connection activities, plus access to a peer learning cohort.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with audited expenses over $2 million that provide direct social services, including child care and family-strengthening programs, can seek more than US $100,000 in program, capital, or general support in Rhode Island. William Randolph Hearst Foundation favors scalable, proven efforts addressing poverty, economic independence, youth development, housing, and related social needs.

Quest Diagnostics Foundation

Established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Quest Diagnostics Foundation is committed to addressing the systemic root causes of health disparities. By combining corporate resources with trusted community leadership, we fund and scale evidence-based initiatives that promote wellness, prevent chronic disease, and empower individuals.

We focus our resources on three critical, interconnected clinical and social interventions to build sustainable health improvement:

• Strengthening the community health workforce
• Addressing social drivers of health (SDoH)
• Promoting the prevention, early detection, monitoring, and treatment of disease through diagnostic testing

About Quest for Healthy Communities Champions

The Quest for Healthy Communities Champion award was created to honor, uplift, and support outstanding organizations across the United States that are actively living our core purpose:

Working together to create a healthier world, one life at a time.

Whether you are expanding access to life-saving screenings, supporting maternal and family wellness, or addressing critical social drivers of health, your dedication is moving us closer to an equitable healthcare future. We want to recognize and celebrate your impact.

What we celebrate: Our core impact pillars

The Champions we look to honor are community-first organizations and coalitions tackling critical disparities head-on. We are especially excited to spotlight work that advances health, addresses social drivers of health, fosters community-clinical linkages and develops the community workforce. Examples of this work could include: 

• Programs actively dismantling clinical barriers to ensure every individual—regardless of zip code, background, or income—has access to high-quality care
• Innovators providing creative solutions for food security, transportation, health education, and maternal-child support networks
• Organizations bringing critical care directly to those in need through mobile clinics, community health workers, and localized diagnostic screenings
• Organizations finding creative ways to engage the communities they serve directly into the solutions they are delivering

The award: Selected organization champions will receive a $10,000 grant.

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

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.

Rhode Island nonprofit organizations providing health, education, or community services can access funding through Labcorp Charitable Foundation for programs like food pantries, healthcare for underserved populations, STEM education, and preventive health initiatives. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations, or those with equivalent charitable status, may be eligible if their work fits these supported areas.

Rhode Island child care services and other local 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through O'Reilly Automotive Foundation for projects, operations, or capital needs that improve quality of life for underserved families. Programs in early childhood development, literacy, health and social services, and economic stability or mobility in O’Reilly Auto Parts communities may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing child care, youth, or family services in the Southern U.S. can seek program funding from the Robinson Foundation. Focus areas include children and families, education, poverty relief, and related supports; Rhode Island child care providers with eligible Southern operations may be considered if they meet the three-year and regional service requirements.

The Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

Rhode Island nonprofit organizations leading strong, replicable community partnerships can access funding recognition through the Mutual of America Foundation’s national Community Partnership Award. These U.S.-based nonprofits must demonstrate exemplary collaboration with public, private, or social sector partners. Child care centers engaged in cross-sector initiatives to address significant social issues may be competitive applicants.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children, youth, and families with education, housing, hunger relief, or environmental programs in Rhode Island and beyond can seek funding to expand their community impact. Chick Fil A Foundation supports child- and youth-focused initiatives through its True Inspiration Awards, offering US $30,000 - US $350,000 for qualifying projects.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

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.