OVERVIEW: The Rhode Island Foundation is the only community foundation in Rhode Island and supports statewide nonprofits in education, health, and economic security, among a wide range of other topics.
IP TAKE: This community foundation stands out since it’s been around since 1916. As the largest nonprofit funder in Rhode Island, it is also one of the oldest in the U.S. RIF also stands out for being a strong ally of LGBTQ causes on the nation’s community foundation scene. RIF, a placed-based funder, makes grants in a wide range of issues via an equity lens and various grant opportunities listed on its updated site that has transformed in recent years, improving transparency. Deadlines vary widely between programs, so it is important to keep tabs on this accessible funder that accepts proposals; however, grantseekers are advised to call RIF first prior to developing their proposal. This funder prioritizes equity, in all forms, across funding. Each of the Foundation’s grant programs has a different purpose, application requirements, and deadline, so grant seekers must review the information provided, or linked, via the grants directory. This funder gives a range of support, from general operating to unrestricted support. This is the funder to know for all Rhode Island nonprofits. It has a lot of resources that go well beyond grantmaking.
PROFILE: Established in 1916, the Rhode Island Foundation (RIF) is based in Providence, Rhode Island. It is one of the oldest community foundations in the country. In this light, RIF is on a mission to “mobilize generosity and motivate change that makes a difference. Our local roots, state-wide relationships, and century of experience anchor our work, and our hopes for our home reach high.” The Rhode Island Foundation is committed to advancing “equity centered on valuing and embracing diverse identities and experiences and guided by inclusiveness, accessibility, compassion, mutual respect, and humility in partnership” with our team and the community.
Grants for Rhode Island
Grantmaking has evolved in recent years. As described in the Foundation’s Five-Year Action Plan. Learn more and apply here for the Foundation’s three core grant programs: Catalyst Grants, Community Priority Grants, and Capacity Building Grants with several grant opportunities overall. RIF also supports dozens of scholarships available to Rhode Island residents.
- Catalyst Grants provide larger and multi-year grants to support “innovative initiatives focused on catalyzing change and creating lasting progress that responds to one or more of the community priorities, and related focus areas, in the Foundation’s Five-Year Action Plan.”
- Capacity Building Grants largely provides funding and/or technical assistance to support the needs of organizations and programs that respond to one or more of the community priorities, and related focus area.
- RIF also engages in Impact Investing in order to partner with other organizations that can help RIF multiply its impact across RI. RIF is transparent about eligibility requirements for possible impact investment partners.
- RIF also provides a clear FAQ page that further guides grantseekers.
- Each of the Foundation’s grant programs has a different purpose, application requirements, and deadline – please remember to carefully review the information provided, or linked, via the grants directory.
Funding here focuses on nearly every subject imaginable; however, grant seekers should note that grantmaking opportunities via individual funds may change rapidly. That said, there are general grantmaking opportunities that consistently exist for human services, arts and culture, K-12 and higher education, the BIPOC community, the LGBTQ community, racial equity work, public health and aging, among other focus areas.
Grants for Equity, Climate Change, Education, Culture and Civic
Through Community Priority Grants, RIF makes grants for climate action, DEI,
- Climate change grants emphasize environmental justice. Grantmaking here addresses policy work that strengthen climate resiliency, adaptability and maximizes access to historic federal investments, especially for vulnerable and environmental justice communities.
- Other climate funding areas include food security and sustainability, as well as collaborative initiatives beyond stated focus areas.
- Recent grantees include Climate Jobs, Save the Bay and the Food Policy Council.
- Education grants, in addition to separate scholarship opportunities, tend to focus on fortifying teaching capacity, diversifying the teaching workforce, policy collaboration at every level, and improving outcomes for students in grades 6-12.
- Recent grantees include College Visions and FabNewport.
- Housing and Economic Mobility grants work to address barriers to affordable housing throughout the state, reduce economic disparities, and improve household financial stability and equitable wealth building. Focus areas include housing insecurity, effective workforce development programs, and collaboration.
- Recent grantees include Building Centers and the Genesis Center.
Grants for Human Services and Health
RIF makes health grants via several avenues, but primarily through (Community Priorities) Fund for Healthy and Strong Communities and basic human needs grants.
- Grantmaking focus areas include equitable access to healthcare, mitigating key health disparities that focus on root causes, comprehensive local efforts, and collaborative initiatives.
Grants for Nonprofits
Beyond grantmaking and scholarships, RIF also offers Capacity Building and Equity Leadership Initiative+. In general, RIF is a hands-on funder that makes available all kinds of support for its grantees.
Important Grant Details:
In a recent year, the foundation awarded $45 million in grants to over 1,800 nonprofits. Grants, scholarships and impact investing opportunities can range from $1,000 to hundreds of thousands, though most average around $10,000.
- As a place-based funder, RIF prioritizes organizations in Rhode Island. Organizations beyond this scope will find it difficult to secure funding.
- Direct general questions to the staff at info@rifoundation.org or (401) 274-4564.
- Keep up with foundation and follow its stories to learn about new grant money made available for LGBTQ groups, get to know specific donors behind RIF funds, and get a better sense of the groups that secure RIF’s support.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
