GrantExec

Rhode Island Business and Commerce Grants

Explore 25 grant opportunities

Dairy Processor Modernization Grant Program
$250,000
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC)
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jul 1, 2025

This program provides funding to dairy processors in the Northeast to modernize their operations by acquiring specialized equipment that improves efficiency, product quality, and sustainability.

Agriculture
Small businesses
Business Builder Subawards for Farm and Food Businesses
$100,000
Northeast Regional Food Business Center
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Mar 25, 2025

This program provides funding to small- and mid-sized farm and food businesses in the Northeast to enhance their operations, expand markets, and improve post-harvest activities.

Community Development
State governments
Manufacturing Equipment Grant Program
$25,000
Rhode Island Commerce
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Mar 17, 2025

This program provides financial assistance to small manufacturing businesses in Rhode Island to help them purchase new or used equipment, promoting modernization and growth in the industry.

Business and Commerce
Small businesses
Dairy Co-Packing Grant
$150,000
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC)
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Mar 11, 2025

This funding opportunity supports licensed dairy processors and brands in the Northeast to initiate or expand co-packing arrangements, scale production, and enhance their product offerings.

Business and Commerce
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant
$75,000
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC)
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Mar 11, 2025

This funding opportunity supports established dairy farmers, processors, brands, and producer associations in the Northeast to improve food safety, obtain certifications, and enhance market access through various projects.

Food and Nutrition
Nonprofits
Capacity Building Grant
$15,000
Rhode Island Foundation
Local

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Feb 28, 2025

This program provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island to strengthen their capacity to address community priorities while promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

Capacity Building
Nonprofits
Rhode Island Business Competition
Contact for amount
Rhode Island Business Competition
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Feb 27, 2025

This competition provides funding and support to individuals or teams with innovative business ideas aimed at creating jobs and fostering economic growth in Rhode Island.

Business and Commerce
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Black History Makers Business Grant Program
$5,000
Citi Trends
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Feb 11, 2025

This grant provides financial support to Black entrepreneurs who are positively impacting their communities, helping them grow and sustain their businesses.

Business and Commerce
County governments
NE-DBIC Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant
$100,000
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC)
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jan 29, 2025

This grant provides financial support to dairy farmers and related organizations in the Northeast to improve farm operations, enhance milk quality, and address climate challenges.

Agriculture
Private institutions of higher education
Human Service and Outside Agency Fund
$180,000
South Kingstown Town Council
State

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jan 16, 2025

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local non-profit organizations that assist South Kingstown residents, particularly those in need, through various community services and initiatives.

Health
City or township governments
2025 Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fellowship Program
Contact for amount
Northeastern University
State

Application Deadline

Jan 10, 2025

Date Added

Nov 20, 2024

This program provides a no-cost, 20-week development opportunity for small business owners in Massachusetts, Maine, or Rhode Island to receive mentorship and resources to grow their businesses and positively impact their communities.

Workforce Development
County governments
Rhode Island Agricultural Energy Program
$20,000
Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER)
State

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Oct 10, 2024

This program provides financial support to Rhode Island agricultural businesses and nonprofits for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to help reduce energy costs and promote sustainability.

Energy
For profit organizations other than small businesses
New England States Touring Grant Program 2024
$10,000
New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA)
Private

Application Deadline

Dec 2, 2024

Date Added

Sep 2, 2024

This grant provides funding to New England nonprofit organizations for touring projects that feature regional, national, or international artists, with a focus on community engagement and expanding access to the arts, particularly in rural and BIPOC communities.

Arts
Nonprofits
Project Grant for Organizations in Rhode Island
$3,000
Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA)
State

Application Deadline

Oct 1, 2024

Date Added

Aug 13, 2024

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) offers the Project Grant for Organizations (PGO), a grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for less than a year, to support arts and culture projects relevant to Rhode Island communities, with eligibility for nonprofit organizations incorporated in Rhode Island with a community-involved board of directors.

Arts
Nonprofits
RI Foundation Organizational Development Grants
$10,000
Rhode Island Foundation
Private
Rolling

Application Deadline

Apr 19, 2025

Date Added

Aug 12, 2024

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Rhode Island for activities that enhance their operational effectiveness, including strategic planning and anti-racism training, with a focus on those with smaller budgets or addressing critical needs.

Science and Technology
Nonprofits
New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant Program
$75,000
Northeast Dairy BU.S.iness Innovation Center (NE-DBIC)
Private

Application Deadline

Sep 5, 2024

Date Added

Aug 8, 2024

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC)β€―announces the availability of funds through the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects throughout the Northeast. Donor Name: Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The goal of this program is to help develop competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability, supporting operations of all sizes in successfully launching and sustaining their products in the marketplace.Β  This program is for:Β  Dairy farmers ready to begin processing,Β  Value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing and/or value-added business startups, including any relevant work experience, business ventures, products developed, and products brought to market, orΒ  Dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in the start-up phase of business development. Funds are intended to support start-up operations, focusing on tangible implementation rather than research and development, concept development, or initial planning. Funding Information Total available funds: $500,000 Minimum: $15,000Β  Maximum: $75,000 Project Period Grant periods will range from 12 – 18 months, depending on the project.Β  Eligibility Criteria This grant is open to applicants from all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:Β  Dairy farmer that:Β  Produces milk within the NortheastΒ  Is a licensed dairy operation in compliance with all required state and federal standardsΒ  Value-added business entrepreneur that meets the following requirements:Β  Sources milk or dairy components from within the Northeast and has evidence of a committed partnership with a farm or processor for sourcing these componentsΒ  Has a business entity prior to applyingΒ  Can demonstrate experience in dairy processing and/or related value-added business startup, including any relevant work experience, business ventures, products developed, and products brought to marketΒ  Dairy processor established after January 1, 2023 that:Β  Has a business entity and milk processing license prior to applyingΒ  Sources milk or dairy components from within the Northeast and has evidence of a committed partnership with a farm or processor for sourcing these components.Β  Is in the start-up phase of business operations All applicants must also:Β  Be headquartered or based in the NortheastΒ  Provide Proof of Concept demonstrating the viability of the business idea and productΒ  Have a plan for new value-added dairy processing that includes market research, financial projections, a branding and marketing strategy, and a facility locationΒ  Obtain licenses to sell dairy products across state lines by the end of the grant period Launch their products in the marketplace or have a Letter of Commitment from a buyer, distributor, or retailer indicating plans to sell the product by the end of the grant period For more information, visit NE-DBIC.

Arts
Small businesses
New England States Touring Grant Program
$10,000
New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA)
Private

Application Deadline

Aug 1, 2024

Date Added

Jul 24, 2024

Applicants are invited to apply for the New England States Touring Grant Program. Donor Name: New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:Β 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: There are three distinct grant opportunities for New England nonprofit organizations: NEST 1, NEST 2, and NEST 3. Organizations serving rural communities and/or deeply engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities are encouraged to apply. NEST 1 Funds the public presentation and engagement of a New England artist presented by a New England nonprofit organization based in a different New England state from theβ€―artist’s home state. Grants provide up to 60% of the artist fee and range from $500Β to a maximum of $5,000. Applications with artist fees underΒ $2,000Β may request the full artist fee. The artist must be listed as NEST-Eligible on theΒ CreativeGroundΒ directory. NEST 2 Funds the public presentation and community engagement activities of a New England artist presented by two New England nonprofit organizations. Tours must include one presenting organization based inside of the artist’s home state and one other organization from outside of the artist’s home state. Both presenting organizations must submit their own application and both applications must be submitted at the same deadline. There are three application deadlinesΒ each year. They are the first business days of August, December, and March. Grants provide up to 60% of the artist fee and range from $500 to a maximum of $5,000. Applications with artist fees underΒ $2,000Β may request the full artist fee. The artist must be listed as NEST-Eligible on the CreativeGround directory. NEST 3 Funds tours, including public presentation and community engagement activities, of regional, national, or international artists presented by New England nonprofit organizations. Tours must include a minimum of three New England organizations in different communities presenting the same artist. The organizations applying must be from at least two different New England states. Each organization is responsible for reviewing the program goals and criteria, negotiating the terms of the engagement with the artist, and completing a NEST 3 application. Organizations may submit up to three NEST 3 applications. TheΒ annual deadline is the first business day of March. Grants provide up to 60% of the artist fee to a maximum of $10,000.Β Applications with artist fees underβ€―$2,000β€―may request the full artist fee. New England artists must be listed as NEST-eligible onΒ Creative Ground. For non-New England artists, an artist work sample must be submitted by one of the touring partners. Grant period: Touring projects must occur between June 1, 2024Β and AugustΒ 31, 2025. Funding Criteria The amount of funding awarded is based on the extent to which the project meets the criteria.Β NEST 3 projectsΒ will be assessed on the individual strength of each partner’s application and the collective strength of the tour. The funding criteria are: Clear rationale for how the project aligns with the organization’s arts programming goals and its significance for the community. Collaborative planning among tour partners and artists to provide a meaningful experience for the artist and partner organizations and their communities. The featured artist(s) should be included in project planning. (Applicable for NEST 2 & 3 only). Additional activities beyond the performance, which provide opportunities for the artist(s) in this engagement to meaningfully connect with various sectors of the community. Cross-sector exchanges (connecting arts and non-arts organizations) and collaboration are strongly encouraged. Expands access to the arts for all New England communities, including rural and/or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. NEFA acknowledges structural inequities that have excluded individuals and communities from opportunity based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, language, culture, and geography, and strives to counter those inequities in our work. NEFA strongly encourages charging admission to performances and events for the following reasons: Admissions are a vital source of income to help pay artist fees and other event expenses. Admissions remind audiences that the work of artists has distinct value and that the professionals involved must make a living from their endeavors in order to continue. Admissions purchased through advance ticket sales help ensure attendance. Admissions purchases provide patron information that can aid in marketing, fundraising, and audience development. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for NEST funding, applicants must: Be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, school,Β federally recognized Indian tribal government, or unit of state or local government. (Nonprofit organizations do not have to be arts organizations. Organizations that do not have a federal tax identification number may apply if part of an official government agency).Β Fiscal agents cannot be funded through NEST. Be based in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont). Have a Unique Entity ID in SAM.gov. For more information, visit NEFA.

Arts
Nonprofits
Small Business Relief Grant Program
$20,000
City of Pawtucket
Local
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jun 28, 2024

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them recover and sustain operations.

Business and Commerce
Small businesses
2025 Professional Development Grant Program
$150,000
Northeast SU.S.tainable Agriculture Research & Education
Private

Application Deadline

Aug 6, 2024

Date Added

Jun 10, 2024

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program funds projects that develop the knowledge, awareness, skills and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers about sustainable agriculture practices to teach, advise or assist farmers. Donor Name: Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:Β 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: An agricultural service provider is a professional who assists farmers. Projects that develop the ability of other service providers (for example, real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys) to work with farmers are also eligible. These service providers then use what they’ve learned through participation in project activities in their work with farmers. A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more. Other aspects of projects funded through the Northeast SARE program include those that address climate-smart agriculture practices intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change; increase carbon sequestration; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices include reduced and no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. In addition, projects may address traditional ecological knowledge. Funding Information Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000. Project Duration Typical project length is 2 to 3 years. The maximum project length allowed is 3.5 years. Geographical FocusΒ  The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Eligibility CriteriaΒ  Professional Development Grants are open to anyone who works with service providers and farmers, including personnel at nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, municipalities, tribal governments, state departments of agriculture, federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, and for-profit business entities (such as farms, private consultants, veterinary practices and other businesses that serve the farming community). Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, they encourage projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities. Your organization must have the legal structure and financial capacity to receive and implement a Northeast SARE contract, including expending funds needed for the project prior to receiving reimbursements from Northeast SARE; advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Applicants and host organizations may be located outside of the Northeast region if the project activities and the farmers served are located within the Northeast region. For more information, visit Northeast SARE.

Workforce Development
City or township governments
2025 Research and Education Grant Program
$250,000
Northeast SU.S.tainable Agriculture Research & Education
Private

Application Deadline

Aug 6, 2024

Date Added

Jun 10, 2024

The Research and Education Grant program funds projects that result in gains in farmer knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes that are then applied to make measurable on-farm changes leading to greater sustainability. Donor Name: Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: The focus on farmer behavior change is a key requirement of this grant program. A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more. Other aspects of projects funded through the Northeast SARE program include those that address climate-smart agriculture practices intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change; increase carbon sequestration; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices include reduced and no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. In addition, projects may address traditional ecological knowledge. Funding Information Awards typically range from $30,000 to $250,000. Grant Period Typical project length is 2 to 3 years. The maximum project length allowed is 3.5 years. Geographical FocusΒ  The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Eligible Applicants Research and Education Grants are open to anyone who works with farmers, including personnel at nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, municipalities, tribal governments, state departments of agriculture, federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, for-profit business entities (such as private consultants, farmers and veterinary practices), etc. Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, they encourage projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities. Your organization must have the legal structure and financial capacity to receive and implement a Northeast SARE contract, including expending funds needed for the project prior to receiving reimbursements from Northeast SARE; advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Applicants and host organizations may be located outside of the Northeast region if the project activities and the farmers served are located within the Northeast region. For more information, visit Northeast SARE.

Science and Technology
City or township governments