Best Scouting Organization Grants in Rhode Island

Rhode Island youth development and mentoring organizations serving Black youth or Black Rhode Islanders experiencing low income can access funding through Rhode Island Community Foundation for programs in financial stability, economic empowerment, and youth development. Grants up to US $15,000 may benefit scouting groups whose activities advance these goals for Black communities.

Youth-serving organizations and schools in Rhode Island can access funding to deliver work-based learning, career exploration, and college/career preparation for teens. Grants from the State of Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training support Real Skills for Youth partnerships that build essential skills, provide paid work experiences, and prepare young people for future education and employment, including youth leadership programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Rhode Island and other Vermont Mutual Insurance Group territories can apply for funding to improve quality of life through education, youth development, community programs, and basic needs support. Vermont Mutual Insurance Group provides grants to strengthen healthy lives and build strong, vibrant communities across its New England and New York service areas.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation provides Rhode Island 501(c)(3) public charities serving low-to-moderate income residents with US $2,500 - US $10,000 for affordable housing, youth development, and financial education programs. Youth-serving organizations, including those offering leadership and enrichment activities similar to scouting, may be eligible if they meet location and non-discrimination requirements.

Nonprofit and community organizations in Rhode Island can receive support for basic needs and community programs, including food insecurity, rental or utility assistance, clothing, and education initiatives. Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation’s Community Donations, typically around Approximately US $2,500, may benefit scouting and youth leadership groups offering local community or STEM-focused activities.

Youth-serving organizations and schools in Rhode Island offering career and college preparation, internships, or youth leadership programs can apply for State of Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s Real Skills for Youth support. Funding helps partnerships deliver work-based learning, paid internships, and career exploration, which may benefit scouting groups running workforce-readiness or leadership initiatives.

Youth-serving organizations and schools in Rhode Island can access funding to provide paid internships and work-based learning in life sciences, veterinary medicine, wildlife biology, and public health. Grants from the State of Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training help youth development and leadership programs offer career exploration, skill-building, and mentorship through the Real Skills for Youth initiative.

Youth-serving organizations providing workforce preparation and leadership programs in Rhode Island can access funding for career exploration and work-based learning experiences. The State of Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s Real Skills for Youth initiative supports partnerships among schools, employers, and youth organizations to deliver paid, hands-on work experiences and essential skill-building for young people statewide.

With a mission to build a skilled workforce, the State of Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training provides Rhode Island youth-serving organizations and schools with support to deliver work-based learning and career exploration programs. Real Skills for Youth partners offer statewide hospitality and tourism career exposure, essential skills training, and mentored experiences that can benefit scouting-related youth leadership initiatives.

Rhode Island-based nonprofit organizations planning capital projects such as equipment purchases, facility construction, or renovations can seek challenge grants that leverage matching donations. Grants from The Champlin Foundation help Rhode Island youth development, leadership, and other eligible nonprofits strengthen infrastructure across arts, education, social services, healthcare, libraries, animal welfare, conservation, and more.

Youth-serving organizations and schools in Rhode Island offering work-based learning and career exploration for teens can apply for the State of Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s Real Skills for Youth support. Programs that build youth leadership and job readiness through internships or career-connected experiences may be eligible, including scouting-related initiatives.

Rhode Island youth-serving organizations and schools offering work-based learning and career exploration can access funding via the State of Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training to run Real Skills for Youth programs. Scouting organizations engaging teens in internships, skill-building, or career and college preparation activities may be eligible partners in these statewide initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Rhode Island working on youth development, education, or related community programs can apply for up to US $2,500 to support their work. The Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation funds small, well-run groups in the Northeast U.S., including those offering after-school, summer, rehabilitation, arts, nutrition, or emotional support programs.

Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofits with youth development, job readiness, or community programs can seek funding for skills training, inclusive prosperity, or environmental sustainability projects. RBC Foundation USA provides support to established charities in communities where RBC Wealth Management operates, emphasizing in-demand skills, financial stability, accessible spaces, and net-zero transition initiatives that benefit local young people and families.

Textron Charitable Trust provides Rhode Island youth-focused nonprofits and K-12 schools with funding for workforce development, education, arts, community revitalization, and health and human services where Textron operates. Scouting and youth development organizations may be eligible for support, especially programs offering mentoring, after-school enrichment, leadership development, and job readiness for young people from diverse backgrounds.

Youth-serving organizations and schools in Rhode Island can receive funding to deliver STEM-focused work-based learning, career exploration, and job readiness experiences for teens. The State of Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s Real Skills for Youth – New England First (Rhode Island Region) supports robotics, engineering, and related pathways, which may benefit scouting groups offering youth development and leadership programming.

High school seniors involved in youth leadership or athletics who plan to attend a four-year U.S. college outside Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin can receive $5,000 for higher education. The Ernest Morgan Memorial Scholarship from CommunityGiving may benefit Rhode Island-based scouting organizations supporting eligible student leaders or athletes.

Scouting and youth organizations planning youth-led service and leadership projects can apply for Youth Service America’s We Serve to Remember Grants, awarding US $1,000. Grants support 9/11 Day of Service projects engaging at least 100 youth volunteers across the U.S., including Rhode Island, that honor 9/11 victims, families, and those who served in response.

Students involved in sports or athletics who need help accessing post-secondary education can receive scholarship support, including for total cost of attendance, through the George Byelich Student Athletic Scholarship Fund. Battle Creek Community Foundation provides funding that may benefit Rhode Island youth development and leadership programs with student-athletes pursuing further education.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools working on youth development, basic needs, community spaces, arts, or workforce programs, including those serving Scouts in Rhode Island, can apply for Target Foundation’s Community Engagement Funds, offering US $1,000 - US $15,000. This U.S.-wide program supports localized projects that help families thrive and neighborhoods stay vibrant.

American Camp Association

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 10,000 plus membership and our exceptional programs, we’re uniquely able to unleash the life-changing power of camp. Our work gives more children and adults the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else.

Character at Camp Grant Program

The purpose of this program is to provide financial support, training, and technical assistance for selected day and overnight camps in the U.S. who are interested in starting, enhancing, expanding, or celebrating character development programs or projects. By the end of the Character at Camp initiative, we anticipate camps in the US will represent one of the largest and most potent contexts for character development in the learning and development ecosystem.

Eligible organizations can apply for a Planning Grant, an Implementation Grant, or a Network Implementation Grant.

Planning Grants

Planning Grants are designed for organizations that need a year of planning, training, and capacity building before they can develop and implement a full character program or project.

American Camp Association

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 10,000 plus membership and our exceptional programs, we’re uniquely able to unleash the life-changing power of camp. Our work gives more children and adults the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else.

Character at Camp Grant Program

The purpose of this program is to provide financial support, training, and technical assistance for selected day and overnight camps in the U.S. who are interested in starting, enhancing, expanding, or celebrating character development programs or projects. By the end of the Character at Camp initiative, we anticipate camps in the US will represent one of the largest and most potent contexts for character development in the learning and development ecosystem.

Eligible organizations can apply for a Planning Grant, an Implementation Grant, or a Network Implementation Grant.

Implementation Grants

Implementation Grants are designed for organizations that have a specific character program or project in mind and sufficient capacity to successfully implement that program or project starting in 2027. 

We welcome both individual and joint applications to the Implementation Grant Program.

Individual Applications 

Individual applications are for programs and projects that will be implemented by and for a single organization. Single organizations can propose programs and projects to be implemented across multiple sites — this would be considered an individual application as there is a single coordinating entity, and the small number of sites (less than six) operate more or less the same within this organization.

Joint Applications

Joint applications are for programs and projects that will be implemented by up to five organizations that will receive one grant award to implement programs and projects across each of the organizations. In this case, the organizations are either distinct and functionally independent from each other or are sites that operate more or less independently or with different programmatic foci from one another. One organization will submit the application and serve as the primary point of contact. Applicants submitting a joint application will be asked to identify the additional organizations in the application and to reflect budgetary allocations to these organizations

American Camp Association

The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 10,000 plus membership and our exceptional programs, we’re uniquely able to unleash the life-changing power of camp. Our work gives more children and adults the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else.

Character at Camp Grant Program

The purpose of this program is to provide financial support, training, and technical assistance for selected day and overnight camps in the U.S. who are interested in starting, enhancing, expanding, or celebrating character development programs or projects. By the end of the Character at Camp initiative, we anticipate camps in the US will represent one of the largest and most potent contexts for character development in the learning and development ecosystem.

Eligible organizations can apply for a Planning Grant, an Implementation Grant, or a Network Implementation Grant.

Network Implementation Grants

Network Implentation Grants are designed for organizations that serve as the coordinating entity for 6+ camps that are eager to implement a character program or project with their on-site program teams. 

Every Kindness is a Gift

Dollar Tree Gift Card Program 2026

Every Kindness is a Gift is a gift card grant program made possible through the generosity of Dollar Tree and managed by the team here at Gift Card Bank. We are a nonprofit organization that specializes in the distribution of gift cards and our mission is to improve well-being and build financial stability by supporting people through their time of need.

Through Every Kindness is a Gift, nonprofit organizations and Title I schools located in the 48 contiguous states may apply to receive a grant of Dollar Tree gift cards.

Gift cards received through these grants are meant to be distributed directly to individuals and families in need. A primary goal of the program is to give gift card recipients the dignity of choice by empowering them to shop for what they need themselves. By putting gift cards directly in the hands of our neighbors in need, we are able to increase access to essentials like food, school supplies, paper products, cleaning products, and hygiene items.

In 2026, there will be two rounds of grant distributions. In each round, we will award a number of grants between $2,500 and $10,000.

Round One is a summer distribution. Gift cards awarded in Round One will arrive in late June, while kids are on break and back-to-school is around the corner. Round Two is a holiday distribution. Gift cards awarded in Round Two will arrive in early November, as the end-of-year holidays approach.

We know that these are times of year when budgets are tight. Through these gift card grants, we hope to connect individuals and families directly to the essential resources they need during difficult months.

The Governor's Workforce Board

The Governor's Workforce Board (GWB) is the primary policy-making body on workforce development matters for the State of Rhode Island and has statutory responsibility and authority to plan, coordinate, fund, and evaluate education, employment, and training programs that increase the skills of the RI workers and address the workforce needs of RI businesses. The Board is housed at the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

Real Skills for Youth

The goal of Real Skills for Youth is to prepare youth for success in college and/or career through meaningful career exposure and exploration of potential career paths and their on-ramps, skill-building with an emphasis on essential and professional skills and supported work-based learning experiences that allow participants to apply learning in a real-world setting. 

Real Skills for Youth programs often provide youth with initial exposure to the world of work, whether through a paid work experience, hands-on exposure to new careers, and practicing essential skills.

In FY26, the GWB allocated $2.8 million to the program to support partnerships consisting of schools, youth-serving organizations, employers, and others to develop and implement high-quality work-based learning and career exploration activities. This program is part of Rhode Island’s larger effort called Prepare RI.

Real Skills for Youth Partners and Programs: Blackstone Valley Community Action Program

What To Expect

• Paid Internship: Work 16 hours per week for the first 5 weeks of the program 
• Real Work Experience: Get hands-on experience at a real job with a partner employer 
• Choose Your Placement: Pick an internship based on your interests and goals 
• Skill Building: Learn communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and what it means to work in a professional setting 
• Mentorship: Work alongside professionals and learn what it’s like to be in the workplace 
• Career Ready: Build work experience that helps you prepare for future jobs, college, or training

Career Pathways to Choose From

• Government and public service
• Education and youth development
• Social justice and community advocacy
• Business and corporate services
• Recreation and community wellness
• Historical preservation and facilities management.

Communities Served: Central Falls, Pawtucket, Cumberland, Lincoln, Woonsocket

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Merrie Schmiege 4-H Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the family of Merrie Schmiege, who established the Merrie Schmiege Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. This scholarship has been established by Maxine and Don Schmiege in memory of their daughter, Merrie, who died in a tragic automobile accident. Merrie was an active member of 4-H, received many local and state equestrian awards, taught horseback riding, and owned many horses. On account of her enthusiasm for equestrian activities and the programs of 4-H, Mr. and Mrs. Schmiege chose to create a Scholarship that provides financial support to young men and women who actively participate in these excellent programs. To the credit of the Schmiege's, Merrie's zeal and love of life will endure through the lasting gift of education.

The Community Foundation’s scholarships are for Arkansas students pursuing education at two- or four-year colleges or universities, vocational schools or technical training programs. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. Some scholarships are designated for graduates of a particular high school or those who plan to attend a particular college. Others are based on extracurricular activities or intended college majors.  

The Foundation has a scholarship portal with a quiz to help applicants determine scholarship eligibility. 

“Since 1976, the Community Foundation has partnered with individuals and organizations who want to support our state’s students in their pursuit of higher education,” said Heather Larkin, Community Foundation president and CEO. “These generous people provide the funding and determine the size and eligibility criteria of each scholarship, while we oversee the application and awarding process on their behalf.”  

Alexa Montez Memorial Scholarship

For a graduating senior who demonstrates community involvement, passion, teamwork, leadership, and enthusiasm for achieving group goals.