Best Washington County Grants for Nonprofits in Rhode Island

The Dime Bank Foundation Grant supports organizations that enhance community well-being, focusing on affordable housing, basic human services, and educational programs. Established in 1998, the foundation has three grant cycles annually, requiring a post-grant report within a year of funding. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and serve specified regions in Connecticut and Rhode Island. The foundation prioritizes projects that foster self-sufficiency and collaborative efforts for underserved populations.

Chelsea Groton Foundation, Inc. was established in 1998 as a Section 501(c)(3) organization. Initially endowed with a $2 million dollar donation from Chelsea Groton Bank, the Foundation has awarded over $8.1 million in grants to non-profit organizations in the Bank’s Connecticut and Rhode Island market areas.The Foundation’s mission is to support the ongoing commitment in partnership to the long-term growth of our community. Along with Chelsea Groton Bank, the Foundation is committed to belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring an ongoing sense of belonging for all, today and in the future.

The Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation offers Trilogy Grants to organizations that have received at least three Single-Year grants. Each grant totals $25,000 over three years, with $10,000 in the first year and $7,500 in the following years. Limited to a 50-mile radius from MetroWest Boston, the Foundation prioritizes measurable projects in arts and general education. Only four Trilogy Grants are awarded annually, encouraging sustained educational engagement through hands-on experiences.

The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation supports tax-exempt organizations under IRS Section 501(c)(3) in four key areas: human needs, environmental stewardship, education, and community vitality. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $15,000, with two application cycles each year. Notably, funding is unavailable for organizations without 501(c)(3) status or those located outside Dominion's service areas. This foundation aims to enhance community welfare through targeted support for impactful programs.

The PLTW Launch program, in collaboration with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by expanding access to innovative educational modules in eligible schools. This initiative supports public and charter schools in targeted counties, focusing on increasing student engagement in STEM fields. Through grant funding, participating schools can introduce new PLTW Launch modules and provide essential training for teachers, fostering a richer learning environment to prepare students for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The PLTW Launch program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance student engagement in STEM education within eligible communities. This initiative will provide grants to schools that implement at least one PLTW Launch module in the 2025-2026 academic year, followed by another module in subsequent years. The program is designed to empower students with hands-on learning experiences that connect real-world challenges to essential skills, fostering a stronger future in STEM fields.

The Santander Charitable Sponsorship Program focuses on supporting low- to moderate-income communities primarily in the Northeast and Florida. With a commitment of $100 million in charitable giving, the program addresses key community development needs, including affordable housing, job creation, financial education, and disaster relief. Eligible organizations must have IRS 501(c)(3) status or be public agencies, demonstrating capacity to meet community needs. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.

The PLTW Gateway program, in collaboration with Burns & McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by expanding access to Project Lead The Way initiatives in eligible communities. By providing grants for program expansion, the initiative encourages schools to implement new PLTW units and train teachers, empowering students with essential skills for future careers. This partnership seeks to inspire a new generation of learners through hands-on, real-world challenges, thereby fostering greater participation in STEM fields across various regions.

TE Connectivity's Community Ambassador Program supports meaningful community impact by providing grants to registered nonprofits and educational institutions. This initiative evaluates proposals based on alignment with TE's values, community focus areas like education or health services, and opportunities for employee engagement. The program operates both in the US and internationally, with numerous ambassador locations, aiming to foster community development and engagement around the globe.

The Moses Kimball Fund Grant supports nonprofit organizations providing job opportunities for minorities and disadvantaged individuals in Greater Boston, or facilitating connections between educational institutions and community members in need. Applications are accepted annually from June 1st to March 1st. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. This grant aims to empower underserved populations and promote educational outreach.

The Island Foundation's Womxn and Girls Grant aims to support organizations that address the root causes of inequality for womxn and girls in the U.S. By focusing on innovative, community-driven solutions, the Foundation seeks to empower womxn and girls of color through initiatives that enhance access to healthcare, economic security, and political representation. With a commitment to systemic change, this grant fosters intergenerational collaborations and prioritizes sustainable organizations working towards gender equity.

The PLTW Engineering Program Expansion by Burns and McDonnell aims to enhance STEM education in eligible communities. This initiative supports schools in expanding their existing PLTW Engineering programs, providing students with hands-on experiences and essential skills. The program focuses on empowering students through new courses and teacher training, ensuring access for underrepresented populations. By fostering excitement around STEM, Burns and McDonnell is committed to shaping the future workforce and enhancing educational opportunities in critical areas.

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: Tri County Community Action Agency

What To Expect

• Paid Internship: Get help choosing a paid work experience with a real employer
• Choose Your Placement: Explore your skills and interests and then get matched them with a work-based learning site that fits with your goals.
• Skill Building: Work on workplace skills like building a resume, interviewing, learning about managing money and more.
• Mentorship: Work alongside experienced staff and learn what a real workday looks like. 

Career Pathways to Choose From

• Health Care 
• Business & Finance 
• Computer Science 
• Sustainable Energy 
• Education 
• Hospitality

Communities Served: Northern / Providence County and Southern / Washington County

The PLTW Gateway program, in partnership with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by supporting schools in eligible counties to implement PLTW Gateway units. With a total grant of $20,000, schools are encouraged to offer at least one unit per academic year, fostering real-world skills and engagement in STEM fields. This initiative seeks to increase access and participation in high-quality STEM learning experiences, ultimately preparing students for future careers.

The Jean Griswold Foundation

The Jean Griswold Foundation (JGF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Caregivers through educational opportunities and scholarships. 

Our Mission

The mission of the Jean Griswold Foundation is to support Caregivers by providing educational scholarships* to enable them to further their training, enhance their careers, and better assist the clients they serve.

By offering educational scholarships*, our Foundation will not only make a positive impact on the Caregivers themselves, but also the clients they assist and the home healthcare agencies where they are employed, as well as help advance the overarching home-care industry.

Scholarships will be paid directly to the federally accredited educational institutions of the winning Scholars’ choosing.

Empowering Caregivers Through Education

The Jean Griswold Foundation Scholarship Program awards scholarships to deserving Caregivers who wish to further their education in a care-related field. Applicants do not have to be associated with Griswold in any way, and the funds will be paid directly to the institution where the caregiver will be receiving education.  

Our Winter 2026 Scholarship Application period is now open! Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm ET August 31, 2026. Join our email list to get the first notice of all Scholarship happenings.  

Where would we be without Caregivers? 

Their selflessness is astounding, yet they are often overlooked and underappreciated. 

The Jean Griswold Foundation is dedicated to supporting Caregivers, the backbone of the care industry. We provide educational scholarships so Care Professionals can further their training, enhance their skills, elevate their careers, and better assist the people they serve.

Burns and McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned firm, partners with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) to enhance access to STEM education. By expanding PLTW Computer Science programs in local schools, they aim to engage students in real-world challenges and equip them with essential skills. Eligible schools must be located in specific counties and serve a majority of students from low-income backgrounds. This initiative supports the growth of STEM education, fostering a brighter future for communities through enhanced learning opportunities.

The Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation offers Single-Year Grants to support projects in arts and general education for preschool through high school. With an annual budget of about $300,000, grants can reach up to $10,000. Priority is given to hands-on arts education projects, with 75% of the budget allocated to this area. Organizations must wait one year after receiving three consecutive grants before reapplying. Eligibility is limited to projects within a 50-mile radius of MetroWest Boston.

The Mary LeMoine Potter Fund Grants, managed by the Rhode Island Foundation, support organizations benefiting Kingston residents. Established by Mary LeMoine Potter's will, the fund aims to uplift the historic village through various projects. The Potter Fund Advisory Committee reviews submissions annually to recommend funding. Organizations without 501(c)3 status can apply with a fiscal sponsor. However, those owing grant reports to the Foundation are ineligible for funding.

The Nellie Mae Event Sponsorship Fund supports one-time events that promote education justice and racial equity in New England. Organizations targeting local communities, with annual budgets under $2 million, can apply for funding for events scheduled in 2025 or early 2026. The foundation prioritizes public entities and 501(c)3 educational organizations, ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities for all students. Note that operational costs and online fundraising are not eligible for funding.

About Chelsea Groton FoundationChelsea Groton Foundation, Inc. was established in 1998 as a Section 501(c)(3) organization. Initially endowed with a $2 million dollar donation from Chelsea Groton Bank, the Foundation has awarded over $8.1 million in grants to non-profit organizations in the Bank’s Connecticut and Rhode Island market areas.

The Foundation’s mission is to support the ongoing commitment in partnership to the long-term growth of our community. Along with Chelsea Groton Bank, the Foundation is committed to belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring an ongoing sense of belonging for all, today and in the future.Grants for TeachersArea teachers are encouraged to apply for grants to help support financial education programming in their classroom. Prior to being awarded the grant, applicants will be:

• Trained to teach the FDIC Money Smart Program to their class.
• Administered pre- and post-program testing.
• Teach six age-appropriate Money Smart Program lessons to their class, provided by the Bank’s Community Education Officer.
• Set up and attend an educational field trip with their class at one of our Chelsea Groton Bank branches.
  • Following the completion of these requirements, teachers will be awarded the grants for use in their classroom.

The Santander Bank Charitable Giving Program is committed to enriching communities through $100 million in charitable giving. It focuses on community development, emphasizing affordable housing, small business support, and financial education. Eligible applicants must be recognized as public charities by the IRS and demonstrate the capacity to serve community needs. The program aims to foster partnerships to uplift low- and moderate-income communities across its operational footprint, ensuring a lasting impact through philanthropic efforts.

The Chelsea Groton Foundation, established in 1998, has awarded over $6.79 million in grants to nonprofits in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Committed to community growth, equity, and inclusion, the Foundation will implement updated grant procedures starting January 2025. Organizations must ensure prior grants are fully expended before applying for new funding, with a maximum grant request set at $10,000 to support more community partners effectively.

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: North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce

What To Expect

Career Exploration: The WindWinRI Program is an 80-hour career exploration experience designed for Rhode Island high school students to engage in hands-on, career-aligned learning in renewable energy and engineering. Through applied, project-based learning, industry-validated competitions, dual enrollment opportunities, and paid work-based learning experiences. Offered at interested high schools, students build technical and professional skills while designing, testing, and presenting energy systems. The program prepares students for both postsecondary and direct to career success and exposes them to high-demand career pathways in the clean energy and blue economy sectors.

Career Pathways to Choose From

• Welding
• Construction
• General Operations
• Finance
• Environmental Sciences
• Supply Chain Management
• Engineering

Communities Served: Warwick, West Warwick, Pawtucket, Exeter-West Greenwich, Coventry, Providence, Central Falls 

The PLTW Engineering program, in partnership with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by providing grants to public and charter schools in specific counties. This initiative empowers students to engage with real-world challenges through hands-on learning experiences. Eligible schools must offer PLTW Engineering courses, ensuring access to quality education for students from diverse backgrounds. With a total grant of $40,000 over two years, this program seeks to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.

The PLTW Computer Science program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education in various communities by funding schools to implement PLTW courses. This partnership promotes student engagement with real-world challenges, preparing them for future careers in technology. With a total grant of $20,000, schools must offer multiple PLTW courses over two years, ensuring access to quality education for underserved populations.