The Rhode Island Foundation's Organizational Development Grant program is designed to strengthen and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of non-profit organizations. This aligns with the Foundation's broader mission to support a thriving Rhode Island by empowering organizations with the tools and resources necessary for sustainable growth and impactful service delivery. By focusing on areas such as strategic planning, financial management, and anti-racism training, the Foundation demonstrates its commitment to fostering robust and equitable community infrastructure.
The target beneficiaries for this program are non-profit organizations, with a particular emphasis on those with annual budgets below $3 million or those uniquely serving critical needs within the community. The impact goal is to enhance the operational capacity and long-term viability of these organizations, enabling them to more effectively achieve their missions and serve their constituents. This includes strengthening their internal structures, improving their service delivery, and fostering inclusive organizational cultures.
The grant program prioritizes several key areas. These include strategic planning, business planning, feasibility studies, fund development planning, marketing and communications planning, and planning for reorganization, streamlining, or mergers. Additionally, the program supports financial management planning or systems adoption, as well as transition or succession planning. A significant focus is also placed on anti-racism training activities, which guide organizations through comprehensive processes to dismantle practices or policies that hinder racial equity, thereby creating more inclusive and respectful organizational cultures.
The expected outcomes of the Organizational Development Grants include enhanced organizational capacity, improved financial stability, more effective program delivery, and the creation of more equitable and inclusive environments. Measurable results could include the implementation of new strategic plans, improved financial management systems, successful reorganizations, and documented progress in anti-racism initiatives. The Foundation's strategic priorities are evident in the types of activities supported, reflecting a theory of change that posits that by investing in organizational health and capacity building, they can amplify the impact of non-profits and foster a more resilient and equitable Rhode Island.
