Best Preservation Grants in Rhode Island

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

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 Champlin Foundation, a private funder established in 1932, has allocated over $705 million to support Rhode Island's nonprofit organizations through capital grants. Focusing on diverse sectors such as Arts, Education, and Healthcare, the Foundation aims to enhance the stability and growth of these organizations by funding essential equipment and facility needs. This targeted support is vital for long-term sustainability, addressing various community needs while prioritizing equity and inclusion in its grantmaking processes.

The Cowles Charitable Trust Grant supports initiatives aligned with the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. Focused on education, social justice, health, and the arts, it favors organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) by the IRS. The Trust encourages applications for general operating support and seeks partnerships rather than being the sole funder. Notably, it considers applications from established partners and supports efforts in Downstate New York and South Florida, with a preference for diverse funding sources.

The Island Foundation offers Environment Grants to support projects in coastal regions of Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, focusing on marine and coastal resource conservation. Priority is given to initiatives addressing climate change, promoting sustainable landscapes, and enhancing community health through environmental conservation. The Foundation encourages 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, with a preference for those engaged locally, to apply for funding that strengthens both ecological and community resilience.

The Rhode Island Community Foundation's Neighborhood Grants program fosters community engagement by providing funding of $1,000 to $10,000 for resident-led projects. It aims to strengthen social networks, enhance collaboration, and celebrate local traditions, ultimately creating vibrant neighborhoods. Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and volunteer-led groups, the program encourages initiatives that deliver visible results within 12 months while leveraging community resources for lasting impact.

The State Cultural Facilities Grant Program (SCFG) supports the preservation and improvement of cultural properties in Rhode Island. This matching grant program enhances public and nonprofit artistic centers, museums, and historic sites, fostering community engagement and economic growth. The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts oversees the program, providing vital funding and technical assistance to ensure the arts thrive, benefiting both local communities and the state's cultural landscape.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

The Champlin Foundation offers campership grants to support Rhode Island's tax-exempt organizations in providing financial assistance for children unable to afford summer camp. Since 1991, these grants have aimed to create equitable access to enriching camp experiences. The application portal opens on September 1st and closes on October 15th, with notifications by December and awards distributed by mid-January. This initiative continues the Foundation's long-standing commitment to community support and development.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

The Rhode Island Council for the Humanities is launching the FY26 THRIVE Grant Program, which offers 20 grants of $5,000 each to small cultural heritage organizations and local historical societies in Rhode Island. This program aims to support organizations that enhance community engagement and preserve local history. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit entities located in Rhode Island, with a focus on serving local residents. Applications will be assessed based on eligibility and alignment with funding priorities.

The Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund Grant, established by the Rhode Island Foundation, aims to support Rhode Island's Black community by addressing pressing needs. The fund focuses on empowering low-income Black Rhode Islanders through community-based organizations and promoting youth development and mentoring for Black youth. By funding programs that enhance financial stability and educational success, the initiative honors the legacy of Bannister House while fostering economic empowerment and preserving cultural heritage.

The 1772 Foundation offers matching grants up to $10,000 for historic preservation projects in Rhode Island. Eligible projects include exterior painting, surface restoration, and repairs to porches, roofs, and windows. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and own or lease the property. The grants aim to support the restoration of historic sites while ensuring safety through upgrades like fire detection systems. This funding opportunity is not available for buildings used as schools or places of worship.

The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program, previously known as the RI America the Beautiful Grant Program, supports projects enhancing urban and community forest management. This initiative aims to promote sustainable practices, protect trees from various threats, and improve public awareness of the importance of tree cover. Eligible applicants include local and state governments, educational institutions, and certain non-profits. Projects should align with the goals outlined in the Rhode Island Forest Action Plan to qualify for funding.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

The Champlin Foundation offers Challenge Grants to Rhode Island-based nonprofits to leverage funding for matching donations. These grants are limited and require organizations to discuss their plans with the Foundation before submitting formal requests. Since its inception in 1932, the Foundation has invested nearly $725 million in capital projects, enhancing various sectors such as healthcare, education, and the arts, while fostering community engagement and supporting marginalized populations.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

Rhode Island Natural Resources Conservation Service

NRCS works hand-in-hand with the people of Rhode Island and the Ocean State's three conservation districts to improve and protect their soil, water, air, plants, animals and energy. We employ conservation experts who help farmers, forest landowners, oyster growers, ranchers and urban growers develop conservation plans for sustainable and resilient operations, create and restore wetlands, restore and manage other natural ecosystems, and advise on flood protection, nutrient and animal waste management and watershed planning.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) - Rhode Island

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners, land trusts, tribes, and other entities to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, grasslands, and working farms and ranches through conservation easements.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values, protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, and protecting and restoring and enhancing wetlands on eligible land.

ACEP has two components: Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE).

Agricultural Land Easements

 (See page 19 of attached PDF document)

Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) help private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities such as state and local governments protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land through conservation easements.

Benefits

The Agricultural Land Easements component of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program protects the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses. Land protected by agricultural land easements provides additional public benefits, including environmental quality, historic preservation, wildlife habitat and protection of open space. Additionally, Agricultural Land Easements leverage local partnerships to match NRCS funding and local partners are responsible for the long-term stewardship of the easement.

What land is eligible?

Land eligible for agricultural easements includes private or Tribal land that is agricultural land, cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland and nonindustrial private forest land. NRCS will prioritize applications that protect agricultural uses and related conservation values of the land and those that maximize the protection of contiguous acres devoted to agricultural use, including land on a farm or ranch.

Eligible Land Types must also meet one of the four following land eligibility criteria:

• Parcels enrolled to protect Prime, Unique, or Other productive soil.
• Parcels enrolled to provide protection of grazing uses and related conservation values.
• Parcels containing historical or archeological resources.
• Land that furthers a state or local policy consistent with the purposes of ACEP-ALE.

How does it work?

NRCS provides financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing Agricultural Land Easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land.

For working farms, the program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. Under the Agricultural Land Easement component, NRCS may contribute up to 50 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement.

The program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland and shrubland. Where NRCS determines that grasslands of special environmental significance will be protected, NRCS may contribute up to 75 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement.

Agricultural Land Easements are permanent or for the maximum term allowed by law.

How do I find an eligible partner to hold my Agricultural Land Easement?

Visit the following websites to learn how to find an eligible partner to hold conservation easements.

• American Farmland Trust's Farmland Protection Directory
• https://www.findalandtrust.org/Land Trust Alliance 

How to get started?

• Landowners - To learn more about ALE, contact your local NRCS office. An NRCS conservationist will visit you and evaluate your land to help you determine eligibility for the various components of ACEP. Another resource to learn about the program is the ACEP-ALE Toolkit for Landowners developed in partnership with American Farmland Trust and hosted on its Farmland Information Center website. 
• Eligible Entities - To learn more about ALE, please contact your NRCS state office programs staff to inquire about how you can partner with NRCS to enroll conservation easements on eligible land. Additional resources include AFT’s ACEP-ALE Toolkit for Entities and the Land Trust Alliance’s Agricultural Land Easement Program Toolkit and Heirs' Property Toolkit

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

The Rhode Island Supreme Court Historical Society Fund Grant supports nonprofit organizations aiming to preserve the history and artifacts of the Rhode Island judicial system. Established in 1998, this fund encourages projects that promote public understanding of Rhode Island's legal history through programs and publications. Organizations are required to provide matching resources, and grants cannot be used for equipment purchases. Applicants are also urged to explore the Joseph O’Neill Ott Fund for similar opportunities.

The RIF: Joseph O'Neill Ott Fund Grants support the preservation of historical documents in Rhode Island, with grants ranging from $250 to $750. Established through a bequest in 1994, this fund focuses on conserving manuscripts and records created before 1900. Eligible applicants include historical societies from smaller cities and towns in Rhode Island. Proposals that address long-term storage and preservation efforts are particularly favored, ensuring that vital historical evidence is maintained for future generations.

The Battlefield Preservation Fund Grant aims to support initiatives that preserve battlefields and related historic sites. This funding encourages planning and educational efforts, particularly those that engage new audiences in preservation activities. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits in specified states. Grants can be used for staff support, consultant fees, and educational materials. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for funding, ensuring strong community involvement in preservation efforts.