Best Grants for Environmental Justice in Rhode Island

Focused on environmental and climate justice, this grant invites Rhode Island 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups to seek support for community-based advocacy and related efforts. Wild Geese Foundation also funds youth and food justice work in New England, excluding arts-focused, religious, international projects, and organizations with budgets over $5 million.

Grassroots social justice and environmental justice organizations in Rhode Island and the wider New England region can receive up to US $5,000 to address urgent, unforeseen crises or organizing opportunities. Haymarket People's Fund prioritizes frontline, people of color-led groups with budgets under $400,000 and supports both general operating and project-based response needs.

Local grassroots groups in Rhode Island launching new or significantly changing community-based environmental projects can apply for the New England Grassroots Environment Fund’s Seed grants, awarding US $500 - US $1,000. Volunteer-driven groups with small budgets, including those without formal tax-exempt status, may be eligible for environmental justice, conservation, or sustainability efforts.

With a mission to support grassroots environmental efforts, community-based groups in Rhode Island can use Grow Grants to deepen local projects, broaden participation, and bring more voices into decision-making. Grants from New England Grassroots Environment Fund range from US $1,000 - US $4,000 for small, volunteer-driven initiatives working on environmental justice and related issues.

Rhode Island environmental justice and advocacy nonprofits using community organizing strategies can seek approximately US $12,000 in mostly general support to advance social, racial, and economic justice. Focused on grassroots groups east of the Mississippi, Abelard Foundation prioritizes early-stage organizations with budgets under $350,000 working with low-income, immigrant, and other marginalized communities.

Nonprofit organizations focused on environmental justice, marine and coastal conservation, or climate resilience in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts can seek funding for general operating support or specific projects. Focused on coastal ecosystems and impacted communities, Island Foundation supports efforts linking climate change, renewable energy, working landscapes, and community health, including capacity-building for local conservation and advocacy groups.

Nonprofit organizations working on environmental justice and community well-being in Rhode Island can seek support for programs in areas like environmental advocacy, climate resilience, and community health. With a mission to improve quality of life, TD Charitable Foundation provides regional grants of more than US $5,000, prioritizing diverse and historically underserved communities.

Rhode Island environmental justice and advocacy nonprofits, government entities, or groups with a fiscal sponsor can access funding for equity-focused education, health, housing, environment, arts, and economic prosperity initiatives. Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Fund for Community Good supports projects addressing systemic racism and environmental injustice; pre-applications are accepted online year-round.

Indigenous-led frontline groups, community organizations, Tribes, and individual Indigenous organizers in Rhode Island and across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico can apply for NDN Collective’s Community Action Fund, with awards up to US $15,000 for non-violent direct actions and movement-building. Funding covers supplies, equipment, contractual services, and travel for urgent environmental justice and climate response efforts.

Conservation districts, state or territory conservation associations and agencies, Resource Conservation & Development Councils, and Tribal organizations in Rhode Island can apply for National Association of Conservation Districts Technical Assistance Grants; awards approximately US $18,000,000 nationwide to hire staff for conservation outreach, education, and technical assistance. Projects may support environmental justice, food security, clean water, and outdoor equity efforts.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving veterans through environmental justice, conservation, recreation, or related initiatives can seek up to US $100,000 for new or expanding projects. With a mission to empower women’s collective giving, Impact100 Global Veterans provides large, transformative grants; Rhode Island organizations working with veterans may be eligible.

Artists, arts organizations, and fiscally sponsored projects creating solution-focused environmental justice and climate crisis art in Rhode Island can apply for support; projects are prioritized when they take place in the U.S. With a mission to open doors for underrepresented artists, Puffin Foundation provides environmental justice and advocacy initiatives with funding across multiple artistic disciplines.

U.S. youth leaders ages 13–23 running kindness-centered environmental justice or other social impact projects can apply for Riley's Way Foundation’s Call for Kindness Fellowship; awards up to US $5,000 for project expenses. Rhode Island applicants receive a 12‑month leadership program, coaching, retreats, and a peer network, with potential continuation funding.

Youth environmental leaders ages 13 to 22 working on environmental justice and related issues in Rhode Island and across North America can receive recognition and funding for their projects. Earth Island Institute provides six annual Brower Youth Awards with US $3,000, leadership training, networking, and media support to amplify youth-led environmental change.

Young people leading environmental projects in Rhode Island and across the U.S. can seek microgrants to grow their initiatives. Grants from Earth Island Institute help youth advance work in environmental conservation, sustainability, pollution, stewardship, and environmental justice and advocacy, offering support to bring ambitious ideas to the next level.

Filmmakers creating short documentaries on climate change and environmental justice can access funding through Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Bloomberg Green Docs Contest. Eligible creators worldwide, including Rhode Island, may submit films under 10 minutes for a US $25,000 grand prize. This opportunity can support storytellers highlighting environmental justice issues and climate urgency.

Scientists and engineers interested in environmental policy and justice can apply for the Science Policy Fellowship, a 1–2 year placement with the American Chemical Society Government Affairs team in the U.S. Focused on science policy and advocacy, ACS invites Rhode Island environmental justice professionals to gain hands-on experience influencing federal research, education, and regulatory policy.

Environmental justice and advocacy nonprofits in Rhode Island can seek funding for bold, action-oriented campaigns that address root causes of environmental harm and protect affected communities. Patagonia Org supports grassroots groups focused on environmental justice, habitat and ecosystem protection, and environmental health; grants range from US $5,000 - US $20,000 for strategic, measurable, community-engaging efforts.

Rhode Island environmental justice and youth-led climate groups can access funding through Climate Group’s Youth Climate Justice Fund to support local or national organizing and socio-environmental work. Eligible collectives are led primarily by people 35 and under across global regions, with awards up to US $40,000 decided through a participatory process.

Levine Impact Lab

The Levine Impact Lab powers equitable transformation by investing in nonprofit leadership, building community organizations’ capacities, and building their capacity to accelerate positive social and environmental change.

We combine venture-capital expertise and inspired philanthropic thinking to radically amplify the value of giving.

Levine Impact Lab Operational Support Program

The Levine Impact Lab’s Operational Support Program is an 18-month, high-engagement operational partnership designed to help environmental organizations move strategic and financial priorities forward.

At the core of the program is hands-on operational support: our team works side-by-side with your leaders to drive progress on a critical project, whether it’s strengthening your financial infrastructure, increasing earned revenue, or planning for growth.

This is a working partnership. The grant funding and peer-learning community are designed to support and accelerate your momentum.

We are the best fit for organizations that:

• Operate at the intersection of environmental impact and social enterprise
• Are past the startup phase but still in a critical growth stage
• See LIL as a thought partner in unlocking strategy, scale, and sustainability
• Show up with clear goals and a commitment to moving the work forward

More information about participation commitments here.

What is Operational Support?

To get the most out of this program, organizations must come prepared with a specific project, workstream, or organizational challenge they want to tackle over the 18 months with operational support. 

Potential Area(s) of Support: 

• Financial strategy and planning
• Fundraising, development and donor engagement strategy
• Cost structure analysis
• Program development or expansion
• Corporate partnership strategy 
• New location or geographic expansion
• RFP support/capital planning
• Strategic planning
• Board engagement

Find examples of what past cohorts have worked on here.

People

The success of this program relies on having the right organizational leaders at the table. Each organization must commit two senior staff members who are equipped to make key decisions, drive implementation, and stay closely involved throughout the 18-month engagement. These leaders must:

• Have clear decision-making authority and/or strong backing from the Executive Director or CEO
• Be directly involved in the project or challenge the organization is addressing
• Be able to commit time, energy, and focus to move the work forward

There will also be opportunities to include additional staff members in operational projects, as needed, to ensure the right voices and expertise are present. 

Who this might include: Executive Director and Finance Director, Business Development Manager and Operations Lead, or Marketing Manager and Development Director, depending on the nature of your project.

What We Offer

• Tailored 1:1 operational support and strategic advising
• A national cohort of up to 10 organizations
• Peer network of strategic thought partners
• Virtual and in-person workshops and events
• Private Slack channel
• Exclusive alumni programming
• Grant funds over two years
• Supportive peer-learning community
• Accelerated organizational growth and momentum through strategic partnership with LIL

View Program Flyer here.

The Richard L and Freda K Flerlage Foundation

Our Mission

Working to empower underserved populations through small grants in support of literacy, healthcare, reduction of poverty, and the promotion of social and environmental justice.

We are a small family foundation, when possible we aim to support organizations with relatively small operating funds where our small grants will have their greatest possible impact.

Our average grant is $3,800.

The Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas (MCFA) supports environmental initiatives across the Americas, focusing on biodiversity conservation, environmental education, justice, and sustainable development. They prioritize programs that align with these aims, particularly those involving 501(c)(3) organizations. MCFA seeks to empower marginalized communities, promote ecological stewardship, and encourage sustainable economic practices, ensuring that environmental burdens are shared equitably across all communities.

The Fund for Wild Nature Grant empowers small non-profit organizations in Canada and the U.S. that prioritize the preservation of native species and ecosystems. With a biocentric approach, this grant supports innovative initiatives combating environmental degradation. Organizations must be tax-exempt and can only submit one proposal annually. Grants do not exceed $3,000, ensuring funding is directed to impactful projects addressing ecological issues often overlooked. Join the Fund in investing in the future of wild nature!

The Waste Management Charitable Contributions Program supports initiatives that enhance environmental stewardship, sustainability education, and community vitality. With a commitment to civic pride and economic development, the program prioritizes organizations that address local needs and promote sustainable practices. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations that focus on public purposes, while ineligible requests include funding for operating costs and individual fundraising events. This initiative fosters a collaborative approach to community betterment.

The IEN-WMAN Mini-Grant Program provides crucial financial support to Indigenous communities and grassroots organizations impacted by mining in the U.S. and Canada. With over $200,000 distributed annually in $4,000 grants, the program aims to address mining-related environmental and health issues. Priority is given to proposals that demonstrate a direct impact on affected communities, particularly Indigenous-led initiatives, ensuring that financial assistance is directed where it is most needed.

The Grassroots Organizing National Grant Program, funded by the Ben & Jerry's Foundation, supports small, community-led organizations in the U.S. working to confront social and environmental injustices. Grants of up to $30,000 per year are available for two years, prioritizing organizations with budgets under $350,000. The program emphasizes grassroots organizing and community empowerment, inspired by the legacy of John Lewis. Eligible applicants must focus on collective action and local leadership to drive social change.

The Harris and Frances Block Foundation, established in 2001, supports small grassroots organizations focused on social and environmental justice. They prioritize equitable solutions and sustainable community development, funding initiatives related to environmental education, justice, and food security. Grants are available to non-profit, tax-exempt organizations in specific geographical areas including Vermont, North Carolina, Virginia, and New York City, excluding funding for lobbying, land acquisition, and scholarships.