Best Mental Health Grants in Rhode Island

Nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island working on aging, mental health, and related equity issues can access multi-year general operating support that also covers staff wellness and leadership capacity. Grants from Point32Health Foundation help community-based groups address social and racial justice, policy, advocacy, and systems change to advance equity in aging across disinvested communities.

Nonprofit and community organizations in Rhode Island can receive support for basic needs and community programs through Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation’s Community Donations, with typical awards around Approximately US $2,500. Funding can assist with food insecurity, rental or utility help, clothing, education initiatives, and youth clubs, which may include mental health and wellness components.

Nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island working to build AI readiness and organizational capacity can receive US $50,000 to strengthen digital competencies and improve program delivery. With a mission to support community-focused nonprofits, Citizens Charitable Foundation provides funding plus promotion, publicity, and volunteer engagement, which may benefit groups addressing mental health and related social concerns.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing critical health and wellness needs can apply for Chartercare Foundation’s Emerging Health Care Needs Grant, offering up to US $50,000 for innovative or expanded programs. Eligible projects may include mental health for older adults, substance or sexual abuse, basic health needs for underserved groups, and other life-changing initiatives.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofits with at least three years of status and $100,000+ budgets can seek funding for mental health, youth development, job readiness, and related programs. RBC Foundation USA provides support for initiatives that build in-demand skills, increase community stability and accessibility, and advance environmental sustainability in communities where it has a business presence.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering mental health, emotional support, or related services in Rhode Island and the broader Northeast can seek up to US $2,500 to support local program needs. The Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation prioritizes small, well-run groups with limited assets and government funding, including those serving youth, rehabilitation, and social-emotional development.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing counseling or structured mental health programs for children and adults can apply for Chartercare Foundation’s grants, with awards up to US $50,000. Funding supports projects that identify, treat, and track participants with unmet behavioral health needs, especially new or significantly expanded services addressing critical gaps in care coordination and access.

Nonprofit organizations supporting historically marginalized children of color and their families in Rhode Island can seek funding for mental health support, well-being, educational advancement, and leadership programs. The Rhode Island Community Foundation’s Fund of the Providence Shelter Foundation supports agencies in Greater Providence whose work includes mental health and related services for children and youth.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on mental health access, health disparities, or education for adolescents through adults, including those in Rhode Island, can seek program expansion funding from the L B Research and Education Foundation. The foundation awards US $10,000 - US $75,000, favoring established, small to mid-sized organizations using innovative, research-informed approaches.

Students pursuing mental health-related degrees who are from the Central Carolina Community Foundation’s 11-county South Carolina service area may be eligible for this renewable scholarship, which supports accredited higher education. Grants from Central Carolina Community Foundation help mental health and psychiatric fields, including counseling, clinical social work, psychology, and sociology, through the Jeryl Salmond II Memorial Scholarship.

Students with mental health, developmental, emotional, or physical challenges, or those who have volunteered with such students, can receive higher-education support through the Patricia Schroder Memorial Scholarship. Focused on disability and mental health, Community Foundation for Southwest Washington awards US $1,000 - US $1,400 to graduates of specified WA and TX school districts who may study in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island mental health research institutions and interdisciplinary teams can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to establish ALACRITY practice-based research centers. Grants up to US $1,500,000 support high-impact studies optimizing mental health interventions, improving access and quality of care, and advancing translational research for youth and adults, including those with serious mental illness.

Rhode Island research institutions conducting mental health clinical trials can access funding through Cures Within Reach, which provides support for clinical repurposing research across the U.S. This opportunity backs proof-of-concept and early-phase trials using already approved drugs, devices, nutraceuticals, or diagnostics to address high-priority needs of veterans and active military, with awards up to US $75,000.

Nurses Educational Funds

Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. depends solely on donations to advance our only mission, to promote nursing leadership through annual scholarship support for professional nurses seeking masters and doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration.

NEF’s only purpose is to provide nursing scholarship assistance to make graduate level nursing education possible. NEF is one of the largest, national, private, professionally endorsed source of funds for advanced nursing study with over one hundred years of service to and for professional nursing. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c) status.

Madeline A. Naegle Scholarship for Mental Health Nursing

In 2018, Madeline A. Naegle, PhD, CNS-PMH, RN, BC, FAAN, a national and international nursing leader in mental health/substance abuse education, research, and practice together with NEF created this scholarship with a preference to graduate nurses specializing in mental health nursing.

The Judith G. Whitaker Scholarship, awarded by Nurses Educational Funds Inc., supports nurses pursuing master's and doctoral degrees in nursing. Applicants must have two semesters of study remaining and meet specific eligibility criteria, including a valid RN license and a minimum GPA of 3.6. Preference is given to doctoral students focusing on nursing research. This scholarship reflects over a century of commitment to advancing nursing education and leadership.

The Joanne V. Pontier Scholarship, established in 2022 by Mary V. Insall, honors her sister, a dedicated emergency nurse. With a generous $50,000 donation, this scholarship supports emergency nurses pursuing graduate studies. Applicants must be enrolled in accredited nursing programs and have a minimum GPA of 3.6. Preference is given to doctoral students in nursing research. This scholarship aims to foster leadership in nursing and improve emergency care, ultimately saving lives and supporting families.

The Joan L. Conroy Scholarship, established in 2024, supports Ph.D. nursing students dedicated to educating future nurses. It honors Joan L. Conroy's legacy, emphasizing her love for education and nursing. Applicants must have two semesters left in their program and demonstrate a commitment to geriatric nursing and home health care. This scholarship is funded by the Nurses Educational Funds Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes nursing leadership through educational scholarships.

The Jane Eleanor Knox Scholarship, established by a $50,000 bequest from Dr. Knox, supports doctoral nursing students committed to leadership in the field. Applicants must possess a current RN license and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.6 while enrolled in accredited nursing programs. Preference is given to those focusing on nursing research or organizational studies. This scholarship fosters the advancement of nursing education and leadership through financial support from Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.

The Isabel McIsaac Scholarship, awarded by Nurses Educational Funds Inc., supports master's and doctoral nursing students with a minimum GPA of 3.6. Applicants must hold a current RN license and have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Preference is given to candidates pursuing nursing research or organizational studies. This scholarship aims to promote nursing leadership and is funded solely through donations, reflecting over a century of commitment to advancing nursing education.

The Isabel Hampton Robb Scholarship, provided by Nurses Educational Funds Inc., supports doctoral candidates in nursing education, practice, research, and administration. Applicants must hold a current RN license and have two semesters of study remaining after the award notification. Preference is given to those majoring in nursing research or organizational study. With over a century of service, NEF is dedicated to advancing nursing leadership through scholarship assistance, fostering the next generation of nursing professionals.

The Henry B. Spencer Scholarship, awarded by Nurses Educational Funds Inc., supports RNs pursuing master's or doctoral degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration. Applicants must have at least two semesters remaining in their program and meet specific eligibility criteria, including current RN licensure and professional nursing association membership. This scholarship prioritizes doctoral students focusing on nursing research or organizational study, continuing a legacy of leadership in nursing established by Henry Spencer.

The Georgette Viellion Scholarship, established in 2021 with a $50,000 donation, supports doctoral nursing students aiming to become full-time faculty members. Applicants must have an RN license and maintain a GPA of at least 3.6. Preference is given to those focusing on nursing research or organizational study. This scholarship is part of the Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.'s mission to promote nursing leadership through financial assistance for advanced education in nursing.

The Evelyn J. Barclay Scholarship supports professional nurses pursuing advanced degrees in nursing education, practice, research, and administration. Applicants must have a current RN license and be enrolled in accredited graduate nursing programs. This scholarship, awarded by Nurses Educational Funds Inc., emphasizes the importance of nursing leadership and aims to enhance the nursing workforce. Preference is given to doctoral candidates focusing on public health, nursing education, or research, ensuring a continued commitment to improving healthcare outcomes.

Adult Treatment Court Program

Overview

The Department of Justice began supporting treatment courts over 25 years ago. Through the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Congress first authorized the Attorney General to make grants to states, state courts, local courts, units of local government, and federally recognized Indian tribal government to establish treatment courts. In 1995, the Office of Justice Programs established the Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program, occurring just 6 years after the implementation of the nation’s first treatment court in Miami, Florida. This work was merged into the Bureau of Justice Assistance in 2003.

The Adult Treatment Court Program supports state, local, and tribal efforts to plan, implement, and enhance the operations of adult treatment courts, including tribal healing to wellness courts. Adult treatment court programs are a tool for criminal court partners and the judiciary to facilitate coordinated approaches that address the needs of nonviolent individuals involved in the justice system who have substance use disorders and/or co-occurring mental health needs.

These courts effectively integrate evidence-based substance use disorder treatment, random drug testing, equitable sanctions and incentives, and recovery support services in judicially supervised court settings to reduce recidivism and substance use and misuse, as well as prevent overdoses. These initiatives can incorporate cultural elements and approaches.

Category 1: Planning and Implementation (Anticipated Award Amount: $950,000)

Planning and Implementation grants are available to eligible jurisdictions ready to commit to a 6-month planning phase followed by an implementation and/or launch of an ATC that supports core capacity and provides critical behavioral health treatment, case management and coordinated judicial supervision, sanctions and incentives, and other supportive services, such as transitional housing, peer recovery services, relapse prevention and employment services, that can reduce recidivism.

The Daland Fellowships in Clinical Investigation, awarded by the American Philosophical Society, support research in clinical medicine across various fields, including internal medicine and psychiatry. Each fellowship provides $40,000 annually for up to two years, contingent on satisfactory progress. Eligible candidates include those with recent M.D. or Ph.D. degrees, and applicants must conduct research under a scientific advisor in the U.S. Preference is given to those with limited postdoctoral training.

Just One More Grant aims to transform lives by providing financial support to individuals and nonprofit organizations in the U.S. who are overcoming challenges like mental health issues, drug misuse, and educational barriers. The foundation encourages applications from those committed to personal growth and community support. Though current grants are paused for nonprofits, interested individuals with actionable plans are invited to apply. More information and past winners can be found on their website.

The John Edelman Scholarship supports student veterans pursuing careers in mental health counseling, offering five scholarships of $10,000 each. This initiative, funded by Student Veterans of America, emphasizes the importance of mental health support for veterans. Eligible candidates must be enrolled as full-time students in the 2025-2026 academic year and maintain strong academic performance. The scholarship aims to reward exceptional achievement and encourage further study in disciplines that promote mental well-being.