The Emma G. Harris Foundation was established through the 1922 will of Emma G. Harris with the specific intent to fund educational programs offering technical, industrial, household, or domestic training. The will mandates that funded institutions must be recognized by the Rhode Island Board of Education and must have an established course in one of the specified training areas. Ms. Harris emphasized the importance of supporting education for boys and girls, with a particular interest in vocational training that equips youth for practical employment.
Administered through Bank of America’s Philanthropic Solutions, the Foundation primarily supports nonprofit, community-based organizations operating within Rhode Island. It is focused on preparing youth and young adults, ages 14 to 24, for employment outside the home. Although the original will includes household and domestic training, the current focus prioritizes vocational and job skills training that leads to employment in the broader workforce.
To qualify, programs must offer established, not startup, vocational or job training courses specifically for youth aged 14 to 24. General education courses are not eligible, although ESL/ESOL components are allowed if part of vocational training. The Foundation does not fund capital projects or programs for middle school-aged children or younger.
The grant process follows a two-stage application. First, applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) online by June 1. The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must certify that the LOI applicant meets all foundation criteria. Upon certification, the information is forwarded to Bank of America, the Foundation’s trustee. Selected applicants will then be invited via email in June to submit a full application, which is due by August 1.
Final decisions for awarded grants are communicated before December 31. Grants typically have a one-year duration. For inquiries about the application process or for further information, applicants are encouraged to contact the grant administrator by emailing ma.ri.grantmaking@bofa.com and including the foundation name in the subject line.
