Best Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Grants in Rhode Island

The FCIDD Nonprofit Project Grants are designed to support 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across various states. Grants are awarded for projects that enhance accessibility, provide educational opportunities, and promote community engagement. The foundation encourages collaboration with local Civitan clubs, particularly in October and March funding rounds, while also offering open applications in July. The initiative aims to empower nonprofits to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The FCIDD was founded for the purpose of providing support to organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mission Statement: The Foundation supports organizations which enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting research, projects, education and advocacy. 

Nonprofit Project Grants

The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) funds 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, primarily in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. 

Funding Priorities

• Grants will be awarded for the purpose of primarily benefiting, including, or increasing accessibility for individuals with intellectual or development disabilities.
• Grants may be awarded for scholarships or training personnel in the care and education of individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. 
• Grants shall mainly be distributed to a Charity whose primary purpose or whose project is to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A Charity which has a project to benefit individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities based on financial need shall be awarded the grant money based upon its own objective criteria and without any special preference to members of Civitan or members of their family.

Grant Categories

A grant application typically fits into one of the following categories: Accessibility & Engagement; Educational Spaces; Program Area Improvements; Outreach and Education 

Program Area Improvements

For I/DD specific 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) looking to add/improve programming potential via equipment and property improvements, updates and additions.

Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The FCIDD was founded for the purpose of providing support to organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mission Statement: The Foundation supports organizations which enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting research, projects, education and advocacy. 

Nonprofit Project Grants

The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) funds 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, primarily in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. 

Funding Priorities

• Grants will be awarded for the purpose of primarily benefiting, including, or increasing accessibility for individuals with intellectual or development disabilities.
• Grants may be awarded for scholarships or training personnel in the care and education of individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. 
• Grants shall mainly be distributed to a Charity whose primary purpose or whose project is to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A Charity which has a project to benefit individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities based on financial need shall be awarded the grant money based upon its own objective criteria and without any special preference to members of Civitan or members of their family.

Grant Categories

A grant application typically fits into one of the following categories: Accessibility & Engagement; Educational Spaces; Program Area Improvements; Outreach and Education 

Educational Spaces

For I/DD serving school programs with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) attached needing property improvements or equipment/resource purchases to better serve their students with I/DD.

Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The FCIDD was founded for the purpose of providing support to organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mission Statement: The Foundation supports organizations which enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting research, projects, education and advocacy. 

Nonprofit Project Grants

The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) funds 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, primarily in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. 

Funding Priorities

• Grants will be awarded for the purpose of primarily benefiting, including, or increasing accessibility for individuals with intellectual or development disabilities.
• Grants may be awarded for scholarships or training personnel in the care and education of individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. 
• Grants shall mainly be distributed to a Charity whose primary purpose or whose project is to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A Charity which has a project to benefit individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities based on financial need shall be awarded the grant money based upon its own objective criteria and without any special preference to members of Civitan or members of their family.

Grant Categories

A grant application typically fits into one of the following categories: Accessibility & Engagement; Educational Spaces; Program Area Improvements; Outreach and Education 

Accessibility & Engagement

For museums, parks, other public spaces without a specific I/DD focus wanting to make property or equipment improvements and additions to better include visitors with I/DD.

Burger Family Foundatio

Our Mission

Inspired by our daughter Penelope and the powerful symbolism of the extra 21st chromosome, our foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Through direct financial assistance, therapy, community, and the healing power of ranch life, we’re building spaces that foster hope, purpose, and belonging.

Pens Pearls

Named after Penelope, Pens Pearls is the financial support arm of our foundation, providing direct assistance to families navigating the unique joys and challenges of raising a child with a disability. From therapy grants to life-changing opportunities, we’re here to lighten the load and ensure every child has the resources they need to thrive.

Through Pens Pearls, eligible families can apply for funding to help cover essential needs, services, or opportunities that make a meaningful impact in their lives. The Burger Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, and this program is one of the ways we work to create lasting change—one story at a time.

Qualifications for Pens Pearls Grant Program, are deemed by the strict bylaws of the Burger Family Foundation. Funds are paid directly to provider. 

About Colin Farrell FoundationThe Colin Farrell Foundation is committed to transforming the lives of individuals and families living with intellectual disability through education, awareness, advocacy, and innovative programs. Inspired by his two sons, he is excited and deeply humbled by the hope that the Colin Farrell Foundation can help those who the larger systems of governance have neglected.

CFF Innovation GrantsWe’re looking for bold, scalable solutions focused on one or more of these priority areas:

• Affordable co-housing models for individuals and families
• Employer-partnered day programs and inclusive job opportunities
• Tools and technologies that enhance accessibility at home and in community spaces
• Cross-sector collaborations between public, private, and nonprofit organizations

The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Research Network aims to enhance the lives of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and their families. By establishing a robust research infrastructure, the program will generate evidence-based solutions to foster well-being and community engagement. It focuses on identifying effective interventions and measures that can be integrated into essential services and supports, ultimately helping CYSHCN thrive throughout their lives.

Students with intellectual, developmental, emotional, or physical disabilities, or those who volunteer with such students, can receive scholarship support for higher education through the Patricia Schroder Memorial Scholarship. Focused on disability-related challenges, the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington awards US $1,000 - US $1,400 to graduates of specific WA and TX school districts who may study anywhere, including Rhode Island.

Students or graduates of Rockford Public Schools with intellectual disabilities planning post-secondary education can receive scholarship support through the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. Grants from Community Foundation of Northern Illinois help Rhode Island intellectual and developmental disabilities programs spot a model that empowers young adults to pursue college, employment, and independent living goals.

Individuals ages 18–25 with intellectual disabilities pursuing post-secondary education or life-skills training and living in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, or Winnebago County can apply for the Ann W. Dooley Advancement Scholarship. This Community Foundation of Northern Illinois award supports programs that build employment and independent living skills, and may benefit those focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities, including in Rhode Island.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving healthcare delivery for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can apply for With Foundation’s RFP cycle, with awards of US $150,000 - US $250,000 for programs or research. Rhode Island organizations working on practitioner training, care coordination, policy, digital health, or access barriers may be strong candidates.

Rhode Island research institutions and healthcare organizations conducting intellectual and developmental disabilities comparative clinical effectiveness research may be eligible for this national opportunity. Rhode Island intellectual and developmental disabilities programs can access funding through Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to support high-quality, patient-centered studies that compare health or healthcare approaches and engage patients and other decision makers throughout the research process.

Caregivers of individuals with Angelman syndrome can seek funding to improve their family member’s quality of life, including equipment, educational assistance, or necessary clinic travel. Grants from Angelman Syndrome Foundation help Rhode Island intellectual and developmental disabilities caregivers and others in the U.S. with up to US $5,000 when no other public or private funds are available.

Nonprofit organizations supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, including those in Rhode Island, can apply for the David and Jacquie Clark Family Fund’s grants to enhance success, well-being, and access to opportunities outside the classroom. Preference is given to Ohio nonprofits, but eligible U.S. organizations dedicated to special needs inclusion are encouraged to apply.

Nonprofit organizations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities may be eligible for funding that improves quality of life and inclusion, with a focus on the Pacific NW but openness to broader U.S. work. Focused on disability, children, older adults, and veterans, Jtmf Foundation invites mission-aligned groups to connect and share their work.

U.S. human and social service charities, especially those serving children and people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, can seek program funding with backing from a NAILBA member agency or corporate partner. Nailba Charitable Foundation provides Rhode Island organizations with support for basic needs, mental health, disability services, and at-risk youth programs that use funds directly for services.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) will announce funding for patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) studies focusing on rare diseases. This initiative encourages collaboration and aims to fill critical research gaps affecting approximately 30 million Americans with rare diseases. Applications can request up to $12 million over five years, including coverage for patient care costs. This funding opportunity is set to open on August 12, 2025, with a focus on addressing pressing patient-centered CER questions.

First-, second-, and third-year U.S. or Canadian medical students interested in child neurology or neurodevelopmental disabilities can apply for the Child Neurology Foundation’s summer research scholarship, awarding US $3,500 for NDD clinical research. Students in Rhode Island studying neurodevelopmental disabilities in children or young adults under a child neurology/NDD subspecialist may be eligible.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) and similar tax-exempt organizations providing intellectual and developmental disability services may be eligible for McGraw Foundation support, primarily serving the greater Chicago area. Grants of US $2,000 - US $10,000 can fund general operations, specific projects, or occasional capital needs within its broader human services and education priorities.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children and adults with intellectual, developmental, physical, or economic disadvantages can seek project-based funding to improve quality of life. Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation provides U.S. disability and poverty services organizations with one-year grants of US $1,000 - US $15,000 for innovative programs, excluding operating budgets and capital campaigns.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

Gupta Family Foundation provides Rhode Island disability and human services nonprofits with US $5,000 - US $250,000 to help disadvantaged people become self-reliant, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Eligible applicants are primarily smaller 501(c)(3) organizations, or qualifying foreign entities, working in countries such as the U.S., India, Kenya, Mexico, and others.

Organizations working in education, health, or family economic stability for urban low-income children and youth in Rhode Island can apply for Michael & Susan Dell Foundation grants; awards are more than US $50,000 for project support or scaling. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, social enterprises, schools, governments, and other mission-aligned entities in the U.S.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

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.

Nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island seeking support for community-based programs, including services for people with disabilities, can apply for funding from the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation. With a mission to help impactful U.S. nonprofits, it provides US $1,000 - US $20,000 for cultural, educational, health, environmental, and social service initiatives that can benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.