Best Grants for K-12 Schools in Rhode Island

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.

Public and charter K–12 schools near Greenwich, Rhode Island offering or planning at least one PLTW Biomedical Science course in 2026–2027 can apply for Project Lead The Way’s ON Semiconductor Foundation expansion grants, awarding US $10,000 for program costs. Funds may cover PLTW fees, required devices, equipment, supplies, and PLTW Core Training travel.

Rhode Island public and charter high schools near Greenwich that want to start a PLTW Biomedical Science course can receive US $20,000 in implementation support. Focused on K-12 STEM education, Project Lead the Way and the ON Semiconductor Foundation fund PLTW fees, required equipment, devices, supplies, and teacher core training costs.

Nonprofit organizations serving children and K-12 students in Rhode Island and nearby Bristol and Plymouth counties can seek funding for direct-benefit programs such as snacks and meals, playground equipment, computers, arts, and after-school activities. With a mission to aid children’s welfare, Billy Andrade Brad Faxon Charities for Children supports 501(c)(3) initiatives for youth up to age 18.

K-12 schools, libraries, colleges, universities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Rhode Island can receive up to US $10,000 to support comprehensive family literacy programs. Dollar General Literacy Foundation funds projects within 15 miles of its stores that combine adult education, children’s education, and parent-child together time, benefiting school-age learners and their families.

The National Education Association's Collective Bargaining and Member Advocacy Department offers grants to support affiliates in creating student-centered initiatives through collective bargaining and advocacy. These grants aim to unite educators with communities, enhance transparency in negotiations, and advocate for students' rights, focusing on improving education funding, working conditions, and student outcomes. Affiliates can apply for funding to develop strategies that foster collaboration and promote positive learning environments.

Full-time preK–12 classroom teachers planning to return to Rhode Island schools can design their own professional learning fellowships to strengthen K–12 instruction and student achievement. With a mission to empower educators, Fund For Teachers provides U.S. teachers with support for individualized growth experiences they can bring back to their students and school communities.

K-12 teachers and educators in Rhode Island can seek funding for insect-focused classroom projects and programs, including supplies, services, travel, and educator compensation. The Entomological Society of America supports hands-on insect science education through the Chrysalis Fund, offering micro, regular, and large grants up to US $2,500 for projects directly serving K-12 students.

Rhode Island K-12 education programs focused on agricultural literacy can access funding through state or county Farm Bureaus via the American Farm Bureau Federation’s White-Reinhardt Grant. Eligible Farm Bureaus nationwide may receive up to US $1,000 to start or expand repeat-use agricultural education projects for grades K-12.

Rhode Island K-12 schools and education partners can seek funding to develop innovative STEM and biomedical science education programs for pre-K through grade 12 students. Through the NIH Science Education Partnership Award, projects may include classroom curricula, teacher support, or informal learning in after-school programs and libraries, with emphasis on quantitative and computational skill-building.

K-12 educators seeking agricultural literacy materials in Rhode Island and nationwide can receive US $100 in store credit to purchase resources from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture store. With a mission to support agricultural education, American Farm Bureau provides classroom teachers with accurate, standards-aligned ag literacy resources for their students.

Nonprofit organizations providing K-12 education for Native American children living on reservations can apply for approximately US $77,000 from the Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Fund to support year-round, direct-service programming. With a mission to advance charitable and educational purposes, this fund primarily serves select regions, which may include Rhode Island-focused partners working in eligible communities.

Rhode Island K-12 education organizations on Aquidneck Island serving under-resourced students can access funding through the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust for data-driven literacy, academic, and youth workforce development programs. First-time grants up to US $25,000 generally support program costs for initiatives that improve reading, writing, high school completion, and post-secondary success.

Rhode Island higher-education faculty who mentor future K–12 educators can access recognition through the Mentor of the Year Award, honoring exemplary academic and professional guidance. Society of Health and Physical Educators highlights role models who involve students in professional opportunities, support student organizations, and promote high standards in health, physical education, and related fields.

K-12 schools and youth music programs in Rhode Island can access support for bluegrass-focused music education through the IBMA Foundation’s Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund. The fund is used flexibly where needed most to help young people age 21 and under experience and learn to play bluegrass music.

K-12 education nonprofits and school-supporting organizations in Rhode Island working on youth learning, workforce development, or basic needs may be eligible for this community grant. Grants from OneAmerica Financial help programs nationwide, with emphasis on communities like Indianapolis and Maine, that improve academic outcomes, financial literacy, food security, and housing stability.

K-12 health and physical education professionals planning projects for girls’ and women’s sports can apply for the NAGWS Legacy Award, a US $1,000 national award supporting research, programs, or professional development. Society of Health and Physical Educators members in Rhode Island may be eligible if their proposals expand opportunities for girls and women in sport.

Health and physical education professionals advancing measurement and evaluation, including those connected to K-12 settings in Rhode Island, may be eligible for this national lifetime achievement recognition. With a mission to advance professional practice, Society of Health and Physical Educators honors a SHAPE America member whose career demonstrates substantial, influential scholarly work in this field.

With a mission to advance health and physical education, Society of Health and Physical Educators provides U.S. K-12 professionals with the Measurement and Evaluation Honor Award. Current SHAPE America members in the Measurement and Evaluation SIG who have significantly advanced its mission may be nominated, which can include Rhode Island school-based health and PE educators.

State Aspiring Educators organizations and campus chapters in Rhode Island can apply for National Education Association Staff Organization’s CREATE grants, awarding up to US $2,000 for educator-focused projects. Funding can support K-12 educator preparation, community engagement with schools, education policy advocacy, or social justice initiatives that strengthen aspiring educator programs and partnerships.

The NEA Community Advocacy & Partnership Engagement (CAPE) Grant aims to support local affiliates in mobilizing community organizations to enhance student achievement, particularly for students of color. Key priorities include fostering initiatives for racial justice in education, engaging NEA members trained in leadership, and creating union roles for community engagement. This grant encourages collaboration between educators and community leaders to build capacity and drive positive change.

The CRSJ Racial Justice in Education Grant, administered by the National Education Association, aims to enhance racial equity within education by funding initiatives that promote awareness, leadership development, and solidarity among diverse racial groups. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $75,000, supporting projects that address racism and foster equitable policies in educational settings, thereby accelerating efforts towards social justice.

The SPFFA Educational Scholarship provides financial support of $5000 for university candidates aiming to teach French in primary and secondary schools. To be eligible, applicants must be American citizens or resident aliens, preferably enrolled in a School of Education and pursuing a Master in Teaching with a focus on French. Additionally, applicants need to maintain a GPA above 3.00, ensuring commitment to their educational goals.

The Spotlight Fund: Arts Grants support K-12 educators by providing funding for essential tools and materials to enhance art education. With grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 per educator, the program prioritizes educators in high-needs schools, fostering creativity and reducing dropout rates among at-risk youth. By engaging children in various art forms, the initiative enriches their educational experience and opens up future possibilities. This targeted support is vital for cultivating a new generation of artists and creative thinkers.

The Spotlight Funds: Inclusive Classroom Grants support K-12 educators by providing financial assistance to acquire essential tools and materials for diverse classrooms. These grants address inequities based on race, gender identity, and ability, ensuring that all students have the resources they need to succeed. With awards ranging from $500 to $1,000 per educator, the program prioritizes high-needs schools, empowering teachers to create inclusive learning environments that reflect their students' unique backgrounds.

The Spotlight Fund Grants aim to enhance racial equity in K-12 education by providing flexible funding to BIPOC educators. With grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 per educator, these funds are essential for sourcing tools and materials that support diverse student needs. As schools face budget cuts exacerbated by COVID-19, this initiative focuses on proven strategies that foster an inclusive learning environment for students of color, ensuring they have equal opportunities to thrive.

The Spotlight Fund Grants, specifically the STEM Fund, provide essential funding for K-12 educators to enhance their curriculum with necessary tools and materials for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education. Aimed at supporting under-served communities, these grants typically range from $500 to $1,000 per educator, with a cap of $5,000 per school. Priority is given to educators from high-needs schools, ensuring equitable access to quality STEM education.