Spring Ocean State Charities Trust Awards

Ocean State Charities Trust (OSCT) is a private philanthropic organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders. The Trust offers financial assistance to qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organizations operating within the state of Rhode Island. OSCT has a long-standing history of supporting community-focused initiatives, selecting applicants that demonstrate clear alignment with its mission to promote social welfare, support public health, enhance educational access, and address priority needs in the local community. Grants are reviewed and awarded with attention to both community impact and the Trust’s current financial capacity. OSCT administers two funding cycles annually, typically in May and November. Applications for the May cycle must be submitted online by March 1st, and applications for the November cycle must be submitted by September 1st. Late submissions are not permitted and will automatically roll over to the next cycle. The application must be completed online and include a required financial document — either an audit report, review, compilation, or IRS Form 990 for the most recently completed fiscal year, prepared by an independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or accounting agency. These materials are uploaded in the section labeled “agency budget.” If files are too large to upload, applicants are instructed to email them to the Trust's office. The grant program supports a range of priority focus areas including arts and arts education, youth programs, education, employment and workforce development, healthcare and behavioral health (including special projects), housing and historic preservation, senior services, safety net programs, and other miscellaneous initiatives. While a wide array of initiatives is eligible for funding, the Trust explicitly states that grants will not be awarded for endowment growth, loan financing, deficit reduction from prior years, redistribution to other charities, or for regular operating or personnel expenses. Funded projects must be completed within one year of the award date, or the funds must be returned to the Trust. If an awarded organization is unable to complete the funded project due to unforeseen circumstances, OSCT expects the unused funds to be returned. Eligibility for funding requires that the applying organization be a legal entity located in Rhode Island, currently operating as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The organization must have been in operation for at least two consecutive years prior to applying. Private foundations and individual persons are not eligible. Regional programs may be considered only if they can document measurable activity within Rhode Island. OSCT reserves the right to verify an organization’s IRS determination letter and Employer Identification Number (EIN) if online validation fails. Importantly, applicants are prohibited from contacting Trustees directly, and any such communication will result in automatic disqualification. All applications are reviewed by the Board of Trustees, which evaluates submissions for their responsiveness to community needs and alignment with OSCT's priority focus areas. Grantees are required to submit a Grant Evaluation Report six months after receiving funding, including a completed evaluation form, itemized expenses covered by the grant, and copies of paid invoices. The award ceiling is capped at $20,000 per calendar year per organization. Organizations that have received OSCT funding must wait 18 months before reapplying. For assistance or inquiries, applicants can contact Executive Director Marisa Albanese via email at [email protected] or phone at 401-728-9008. The Trust's office is located at 1005 Main Street, Suite 2123, 1st Floor, Pawtucket, RI 02860. While OSCT does not require a Letter of Intent or other gating documents, it maintains a firm stance on deadlines and documentation completeness. The grant opportunity recurs semi-annually, providing a predictable funding opportunity for organizations serving Rhode Island communities.

Do not contact Trustees directly; doing so results in automatic disqualification.