Attorney General’s 6/10 Children’s Fund

The 6/10 Children’s Fund was established in May 2025 as part of a court-approved settlement facilitated by the Rhode Island Attorney General concerning the construction of the Route 6/10 Interchange. Administered by the Rhode Island Foundation, this $10 million fund is designated to be fully expended within a 10-year timeframe. The primary goal of the fund is to improve the health outcomes of children residing in Providence, Rhode Island, with particular emphasis on the neighborhoods of Olneyville, West End, and Silver Lake. The current funding cycle focuses on oral health care, recognizing its integral role in overall well-being. The fund targets a well-documented disparity in access to dental care among children in lower-income communities. National data highlights the link between poor oral health and increased school absenteeism, with vulnerable populations disproportionately affected. In Rhode Island, children in Providence show rates of untreated tooth decay well above the national average, particularly in early school grades. The fund seeks to directly address these systemic issues through community-rooted initiatives that improve access to oral health services for children from birth to 18 years old, and may also include services for pregnant women and young adults up to age 21. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) IRS designations, as well as groups operating under a fiscal sponsor with such status. Faith-based organizations are also eligible, provided proposed activities are secular. Proposals should reflect strong community engagement, cultural and linguistic responsiveness, and a focus on evidence-based methods. Additionally, submissions must demonstrate collaborative frameworks with partners such as schools or childcare systems, and include documentation of those partnerships. Funding may be used for planning, programmatic delivery, and capital expenses, though any capital-related costs must be clearly justified. Applications will be evaluated based on several criteria, including their potential reach within underserved communities, sustainability beyond the grant period, incorporation of community input, and alignment with CLAS standards. Further consideration will be given to proposals that integrate dental and primary care services, address challenges in continuity of care, and demonstrate operational readiness. Proposals must also include plans for data collection, program evaluation, and the use of other funding sources to support implementation or long-term sustainability. The deadline to submit full proposals is September 10, 2025. There is no indication of a required pre-application or letter of intent process. While the fund was only recently launched, there is no confirmed recurrence schedule for future funding cycles. Interested applicants should note that this is the first funding round for the 6/10 Children’s Fund, and all funds must be allocated within ten years of inception. Applicants are encouraged to contact Zachary Nieder, Assistant Vice President of Grants & Community Investments and Director of Healthy Communities at the Rhode Island Foundation, for questions or guidance. Zachary Nieder can be reached at znieder@rifoundation.org or by phone at (401) 427-4051. Proposals must demonstrate both community accountability and the ability to meet regulatory, licensing, and operational standards such as HIPAA compliance and Medicaid billing if applicable.

Proposals should show evidence-based methods, integration of dental and primary care, and justification for any capital costs. Include funding braiding plans and demonstrate regulatory readiness.