1829 Legacy Fund Grants

The 1829 Legacy Fund Grants, formerly known as the Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund, are administered by the Rhode Island Foundation. This fund was established in 2012 following the transfer of assets from the Providence Journal Charitable Foundation, an entity that had been distributing grants since 1956. The grant is part of a donor-advised fund model where advisors provide funding recommendations to the Rhode Island Foundation for approval and disbursement. The 1829 Legacy Fund supports qualified nonprofit organizations that operate within the state of Rhode Island. It focuses on several key areas of service, including human services and healthcare—particularly with an emphasis on assisting the homeless—education and youth initiatives, arts and culture programming, and responsible and ethical journalism. These program areas reflect the Fund’s commitment to strengthening local communities through strategic philanthropic investments. This grant opportunity is limited to organizations located in Rhode Island or those that provide services directly benefiting Rhode Island residents. The application process requires submission through an online system provided by the Rhode Island Foundation. Applicants are allowed to submit one application per calendar year and can expect a decision within approximately three months of submission. The application deadlines for the 2025 grant cycle are April 8, July 8, September 9, and December 2. These deadlines indicate that the grant is offered on a recurring, quarterly basis. The next expected cycle following the December deadline would begin in April 2026. The fund does not operate on a rolling basis; all applicants must adhere to the posted due dates. There is no indication of pre-application requirements, such as Letters of Intent or RFIs. To apply, applicants must complete an online application form through the Rhode Island Foundation’s portal. If a user has previously started an application, they are encouraged to log in and complete the one in progress. All applications must be submitted electronically. There is no additional information provided about specific application questions or required documentation. The grant is overseen by Bruce Keeler, Senior Philanthropic Advisor at the Rhode Island Foundation. For inquiries, applicants may contact him at (401) 427-4035. Additional general support is available through the Foundation’s main contact line at (401) 274-4564 or via email at info@rifoundation.org. The Rhode Island Foundation is located at One Union Station, Providence, RI 02903.