Bristol Female Charitable Society Fund Grants

The Bristol Female Charitable Society Fund Grants are administered through the Rhode Island Foundation and are designed to support charitable programs and services within the greater East Bay community of Rhode Island, with particular emphasis on the town of Bristol. This fund, created in 1811 by 88 influential women from Bristol, was incorporated into the Foundation in 2003. It continues to honor its historic mission of promoting charity and benevolence, particularly by addressing the needs of those who are poor or indigent. The grantmaking priorities of the Bristol Female Charitable Society Fund are focused on projects that promote welfare and social support. These include charitable services that directly serve individuals experiencing poverty or hardship. While not explicitly limited to certain types of programming, the fund places a strong preference on applications that demonstrate direct community impact in line with these humanitarian values. The fund supports programs that address both immediate needs and longer-term community wellbeing. Grant awards from this fund typically range between $500 and $5,000, reflecting its nature as a small grants program. The amount awarded may vary based on the size, scope, and impact of the proposed project. Organizations should ensure that requests fall within the stated funding range to remain competitive. While the total funding available and number of awards distributed annually are not disclosed, applicants are advised to budget appropriately and refer to the Foundation’s small grants program parameters. Only one application per year may be submitted to this fund by each organization. However, applying to the Bristol Female Charitable Society Fund does not preclude organizations from seeking additional funding through other Rhode Island Foundation grant opportunities. All applications must be submitted via the Foundation’s online portal using the Small Grant Programs application form. A complete submission must include a filled application form, a completed budget form, a proposal narrative (embedded within the application), and a current list of the organization’s board of directors. Applications open approximately six weeks prior to the deadline and must be submitted no later than 3:00 PM Eastern Time on August 11, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. The online system will allow applicants to save and return to in-progress submissions at any time before the deadline. Those with questions about the process or application requirements may contact Monica Benson, Scholarship and Special Funds Administrator, at (401) 427-4017 or via email. General inquiries may also be directed to the Rhode Island Foundation’s main line at (401) 274-4564 or info@rifoundation.org. The Rhode Island Foundation, headquartered at One Union Station, Providence, RI, serves as the administrator of this fund. Its broader mission is to support community development and charitable giving throughout the state. This grant reflects a commitment to preserving historical philanthropic legacies while addressing contemporary community challenges. By supporting local nonprofits through this targeted fund, the Foundation continues to amplify the impact of place-based philanthropy in the East Bay region.