Best Transportation Grants in Rhode Island

Rhode Island transportation and climate-focused 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and public agencies can seek support to advance low-carbon mobility and climate resilience projects. Focused on equitable clean energy, transportation, and resilient communities in the Northeast, Barr Foundation prioritizes community-driven, equity-centered efforts, especially POC-led groups and those serving communities most impacted by the fossil fuel economy.

Local governments and community-based nonprofits in U.S. cities of 50,000–500,000 residents can access Smart Growth America’s Community Connectors support to plan and test temporary street safety pilot projects. This yearlong cohort offers up to US $25,000 plus training to address dangerous arterial roads and reconnect divided neighborhoods, which may benefit Rhode Island transportation initiatives.

Rhode Island public agencies planning surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact can access funding through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Administered by the US Department of Transportation, this program offers up to US $25,000,000 for multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects, including public transportation and other eligible public infrastructure across the U.S. territories and states.

Emergency and medical workers in Rhode Island needing help affording behavioral health prescriptions, counseling, psychotherapy, or related transportation can receive up to US $2,000 in copay assistance. Focused on behavioral health support, the HealthWell Foundation invites eligible workers treated in the U.S. to apply; this may also benefit those facing transportation costs.

Organizations planning highly visible community events or projects that align with Tyson Foods’ core values and benefit local residents can seek sponsorship support, including in Rhode Island. Tyson Foods welcomes proposals that clearly state community benefits, outline event visibility, and show how funding advances the organization’s mission and any tax-deductible portion.

Individuals being treated in the U.S. for cancer-related behavioral health conditions can receive up to US $2,000 to offset prescription copays, counseling, psychotherapy, and transportation costs. HealthWell Foundation bases eligibility on diagnosis, insurance coverage, and income; Rhode Island patients needing help with treatment-related travel may benefit.

Elderly professional blues musicians needing emergency help with medical, transportation, or basic living expenses can receive US $500 in assistance, including support for rides to appointments and essential errands. The Pinetop Perkins Foundation’s Pinetop Assistance League pays creditors directly and may benefit artists in Rhode Island facing urgent transportation or health-related costs.

Rhode Island transportation and history organizations can access funding through the William G Pomeroy Foundation to install historic transportation markers at publicly accessible sites. Eligible 501(c)(3)s, academic institutions, and government entities across the U.S. may commemorate pre-1945 canals, bridges, tunnels, railroads, or aircraft, with inscriptions backed by primary source documentation and clear historical significance.

Public transportation and mobility-focused nonprofits in Rhode Island can seek funding to improve transit access, reduce congestion and traffic-related accidents, and enhance transportation safety. Grants from Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund also support related environmental conservation and community health efforts within the U.S., including projects that strengthen safer, more accessible mobility systems.

Rhode Island students pursuing transportation technology degrees can access funding for higher education through the Eugene Frank Sommerlatte Endowment Fund, which awards US $3,000. Administered by Austin Community Foundation, this scholarship supports those with financial need, strong academics, leadership, and community involvement who are enrolling in the following semester.

Research institutions and public agencies in Rhode Island working on transportation policy, infrastructure, or public transit can seek funding for U.S.-focused studies and reforms from Arnold Ventures, with awards up to US $200,000. Projects may include policy research, expanded data sets, or implementation models addressing costs, permitting, governance, or access in transportation systems.

State, local, and regional entities planning road safety projects in Rhode Island and nationwide can seek funding to improve transportation safety infrastructure and planning. Oregon Department of Forestry highlights the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program, offering US $100,000 - US $5,000,000 for planning, demonstration, and implementation projects that reduce deaths and serious injuries for all roadway users.

Government entities and other eligible organizations implementing roadway safety projects in the U.S., including Rhode Island, can seek Implementation Grants to carry out Action Plan strategies that prevent deaths and serious injuries for all road users. The Oregon Department of Forestry notes this U.S. Department of Transportation SS4A program, which also supports supplemental planning, demonstration, and project-level design activities; awards range from US $2,500,000 - US $25,000,000.

The FY25-FY26 Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) grant program aims to enhance transportation through the deployment of innovative technologies. It focuses on improving safety, mobility, and efficiency while fostering economic competitiveness. Projects funded will prioritize core infrastructure improvements and address roadway congestion, aligning with the Trump Administration's goals. The program emphasizes economic opportunities and community benefits, ensuring that selected projects contribute positively to families and communities, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.

AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation strengthens financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems.

AARP empowers people to choose how they live as they age. There are 125 million Americans who are 50 or older, and people want their money, health and happiness to last as long as they do. We are a wise friend and fierce defender, focusing on the priorities of older Americans.

Purpose Prize® from AARP

Honoring extraordinary people 50-plus who put their purpose into action.

Purpose is a powerful force for good. The Purpose Prize from AARP honors extraordinary older Americans who put their purpose into action to support AARP’s mission of empowering people to choose how they live as they age. Winners receive $75,000 and a year of organizational support from AARP to grow the impact of their nonprofits. Examples of organizational support include data and evaluation, governance and succession planning, fundraising strategy, and prospectus development.

Quest Diagnostics Foundation

Established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Quest Diagnostics Foundation is committed to addressing the systemic root causes of health disparities. By combining corporate resources with trusted community leadership, we fund and scale evidence-based initiatives that promote wellness, prevent chronic disease, and empower individuals.

We focus our resources on three critical, interconnected clinical and social interventions to build sustainable health improvement:

• Strengthening the community health workforce
• Addressing social drivers of health (SDoH)
• Promoting the prevention, early detection, monitoring, and treatment of disease through diagnostic testing

About Quest for Healthy Communities Champions

The Quest for Healthy Communities Champion award was created to honor, uplift, and support outstanding organizations across the United States that are actively living our core purpose:

Working together to create a healthier world, one life at a time.

Whether you are expanding access to life-saving screenings, supporting maternal and family wellness, or addressing critical social drivers of health, your dedication is moving us closer to an equitable healthcare future. We want to recognize and celebrate your impact.

What we celebrate: Our core impact pillars

The Champions we look to honor are community-first organizations and coalitions tackling critical disparities head-on. We are especially excited to spotlight work that advances health, addresses social drivers of health, fosters community-clinical linkages and develops the community workforce. Examples of this work could include: 

• Programs actively dismantling clinical barriers to ensure every individual—regardless of zip code, background, or income—has access to high-quality care
• Innovators providing creative solutions for food security, transportation, health education, and maternal-child support networks
• Organizations bringing critical care directly to those in need through mobile clinics, community health workers, and localized diagnostic screenings
• Organizations finding creative ways to engage the communities they serve directly into the solutions they are delivering

The award: Selected organization champions will receive a $10,000 grant.

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

The Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grant supports events that honor civil rights activist Ruby Bridges by encouraging students to walk to school and engage in discussions about activism, anti-racism, and anti-bullying. Grants of $500 or $1000 are available based on the number of students reached. This initiative aims to inspire positive changes within communities and promote meaningful dialogue among young people about social justice issues.

SITKA Ecosystem Grants support projects that enhance ecosystems and promote conservation efforts. These grants encourage both grassroots initiatives and larger organizational projects, aiming to improve habitat restoration, biodiversity, and the hunting experience. With funding ranging from $3,000 to $20,000, applicants must be 18 years or older and have relevant experience. The review process is ongoing, and projects should emphasize collaboration and measurable impacts on environmental goals, benefiting both society and ecosystems.

The Grassroots Grants Program (GGP) aims to enhance participation in golf among underrepresented communities, including racial minorities, women, and veterans. Launched in May 2021, it has awarded $1.8 million to 155 organizations, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sport. The program supports tax-exempt organizations focused on self-sustainability and offers funding for golf instruction, equipment, and access to facilities. Priority is given to those not receiving substantial backing from major golf organizations.

The Community Traffic Safety Grants, initiated by the Road to Zero Coalition, aim to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2050 through innovative, evidence-based approaches. The program invites proposals from Road to Zero Coalition members, particularly non-profits and government entities, to implement effective countermeasures that enhance traffic safety and address mobility disparities. Projects should be replicable and scalable, demonstrating measurable outcomes and contributing to a positive safety culture on U.S. roads.

The McKesson Foundation Grant provides funding up to $25,000 for organizations focused on improving health outcomes in underserved communities. Established in 1943, the foundation prioritizes health equity through strategic partnerships aimed at reducing cancer burdens, preparing healthcare professionals, and enhancing crisis response efforts. Eligible applicants include national and local nonprofits targeting specific regions in the U.S. and Canada. The foundation emphasizes projects that align with its mission and demonstrate significant community impact.

The Critical Needs List by Community Foundation Tampa Bay addresses urgent, unforeseen needs of nonprofits that threaten their ability to serve the community. This innovative program allows nonprofits to submit requests for funding up to $250,000 for critical expenses such as emergency repairs and essential equipment replacement. With a focus on supporting local organizations, the program aims to match funding with community philanthropists, ensuring timely assistance to those in need.

The Smart Growth Grants program, managed by the National Association of Realtors, aims to enhance community development through educational initiatives aligned with Smart Growth Principles. Available in three levels, the grants support REALTOR Associations in promoting sustainable land use, community planning, and stakeholder engagement. Maximum awards range from $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the grant level. Note that the program is currently not accepting applications for 2025 and will reopen in January 2026.

The Confluence Grant Program, initiated by the Conservation Alliance in 2021, aims to strengthen partnerships with historically racially excluded groups. It awards four grants of $100,000 over two years to support projects that protect or restore natural places. The program emphasizes building meaningful relationships and sharing resources, ensuring that funded projects center on solutions led by impacted communities. By fostering collaboration and addressing funding gaps, the program enhances the conservation landscape for diverse voices.

Truist Foundation

The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation's grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses.

Inspire Awards

This year’s Inspire Awards seeks nonprofits supporting the career navigation and workforce development needs of workers across the United States. The challenge seeks applications that help individuals gain the skills, guidance, and support needed to access quality jobs, advance in their careers, and build long-term stability in an evolving world of work.

2026 Truist Foundation Inspire Awards Challenge Question

How are nonprofits providing innovative direct services, training programs, and career navigation supports for adult workers in the age of AI?

Challenge Dimensions

Nonprofit organizations have long been critical advocates and service providers for workers in the United States. Nonprofits provide workers necessary upskilling opportunities, AI literacy training, career navigation support, and wraparound services in conjunction with career pathways programming. All necessary for the modern workforce. Meeting the moment, Truist Foundation and MIT Solve want to hear the ways in which nonprofits headquartered in the Truist operating footprint are providing innovative career pathway programming in the age of AI. Although solutions don’t need to focus on generative AI specifically, teams should demonstrate how their career pathways programming align with the following dimensions:

• Training and Upskilling Programs – Providing holistic, accessible programming that equips workers with essential skills, industry-validated credentials, and technical literacy for the modern workplace.
• AI Readiness and Literacy – Offering high-quality training that helps workers understand generative AI and agentic technologies as augmented intelligence tools, helping to build practical skills like effective prompting, domain expertise application, and ethical use.
• Additional Wraparound Services and Basic Needs Support – Supporting unemployed and underemployed workers on their journey to economic mobility through comprehensive, integrated resources including childcare, transportation support, mentorship, mental health services, benefits navigation, and more.
• Career Navigation in the AI Economy – Enabling workers to navigate career choices with clarity and confidence by providing accessible information about how AI is reshaping job roles and industries, facilitating informed decisions about high-quality career trajectories that align with individual circumstances, and connecting workers to industry-validated credentials or trainings.

Here are the grants for this challenge

• First place: $250,000
• Second place: $150,000
• Runners-up: $25,000
• Audience favorite: $75,000

The Sports 4 Life Grants, co-founded by the Women’s Sports Foundation and ESPN, aim to promote the health and development of girls in underserved communities. This initiative focuses on increasing participation and retention rates of Black, Hispanic, and Native American girls in sports through funding for coaching, equipment, and facilities. By fostering leadership and self-esteem, the program seeks to empower young girls and provide them with lifelong benefits from sports participation.

The Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations focused on ending hunger and reducing food waste. Since its inception, the foundation has allocated over $59 million to enhance food security through innovative programs and community engagement. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing critical needs such as food access, nutrition education, and support for vulnerable populations. This initiative aims to create equitable food systems and ensure that no one goes hungry.