Rhode Island Diversity Equity and Inclusion Grants

Farm Credit East recognizes the significance of farmers’ markets for both producers and consumers. In support of this vital marketing channel, we are offering Farmers' Market Grants of up to $500 to eligible applicants. These grants can be utilized to support participating farmers, enhance markets, improve marketing efforts, and implement programs aimed at aiding disadvantaged communities or enhancing access to fresh, local food. Please note that these grants are intended for public markets where multiple farms sell products, not for individual farm markets. Eligibility: Farmers' markets must be located within Farm Credit East’s eight-state territory: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Preference will be given to first-time applicants and markets serving underserved communities with limited access to fresh, local food. Awards will be granted at the sole discretion of Farm Credit East. How to Apply/Application Requirements: The 2024 application cycle is currently open. Please submit the Farmers' Market Grant Application by 4:00 PM on May 31. Recipients will be notified by late June.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF)(formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund) to restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests and grasslands that provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/11/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The program will advance this goal by investing in projects that: Restore the quality and connectivity of stream and riparian habitats with a focus on improving habitat for river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout and wood turtles; Improve management of forest blocks to enhance age and structural diversity, resulting in improved forest conditions for native wildlife, with a focus on improving habitat for golden-winged warbler and New England cottontail; and, Promote hayfield management that allows for successful grassland bird breeding, with a specific focus on habitat for bobolink. Approximately $2 million is available this year. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation and Sylvamo. Program Priorities  Proposals should strive to contribute to goals detailed in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), and specifically the strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. (Applicants interested in supporting the priorities for Coastal Habitats in the business plan are encouraged to apply to NFWF’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund and National Coastal Resilience Fund.) Priority implementation strategies for NEFRF funding in 2024 are detailed below. Approximately $625,000 in program funding will be set aside for projects that direct staff resources to help agricultural producers design and implement conservation practices benefitting select Working Lands for Wildlife target species, especially northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers. Projects should Increase Farm Bill program participation and conservation practice implementation among agricultural producers, especially farmers and ranchers in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. In addition, projects that incorporate outreach to communities, foster community engagement, and pursue collaborative management leading to measurable conservation benefits are encouraged. When possible, projects should be developed through community input and co-design processes and should consider traditional knowledge where relevant. Additionally, projects should engage community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to help design, implement, and maintain projects to secure maximum benefits for communities, maintenance, and sustainability post-grant award. Grant Period Projects should plan to start no later than six months after the award date and be completed within three years. Geographical Areas  Projects are eligible from throughout the program boundary, which includes all of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, as well as parts of New York. However, within the Long Island Sound and Connecticut River watershed, NEFRF will only consider projects to sustain and restore healthy forests, grasslands and fish passage projects. All other projects should apply to the Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF). Eligibility Criteria  Eligible and Ineligible Entities: Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include U.S. Federal government agencies, businesses, unincorporated individuals and international organizations. For more information, visit NFWF.

This grant provides funding to U.S.-based non-profit organizations to support projects that promote Japanese arts and culture, particularly in areas with limited access to such events.

The Program for the Blind, offered by a foundation, focuses on providing grants to nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island that work in the realm of vision research, specifically targeting macular degeneration, and offering support services for the visually impaired. These services include guide dogs, summer camps for children with low-vision and blindness, among others. The grant prioritizes projects that aim towards the economic self-sufficiency of visually impaired individuals, innovative solutions for blindness or vision loss, and research-based solutions for conditions causing vision loss. Grants range from $10,000 to $75,000 for research and support services

This funding opportunity supports grassroots community groups in New England that focus on environmental initiatives and social justice, providing financial assistance for projects led by volunteers or small teams.

Grant Opportunity: RISCA Project Grants in Education (PGE) Program Funding Organization: Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) Contact Information: For grant support and assistance, reach out to RISCA staff through one-on-one meetings, grant workshops (in person and online), or drop-in hours. Pre-recorded grant workshops and helpful videos are available on RISCA's YouTube Channel. Contact the program director for the specific grant program you are interested in applying to schedule a meeting. Accommodations for disabilities or language barriers can be requested by contacting the program director at least three weeks prior to the application deadline. Award Details: Up to $10,000 for organizations and up to $3,000 for individuals. Eligibility: Pre-K-12 schools (public, public charter, private, alternative, special education schools, career and technical centers) based in Rhode Island; non-profit or fiscally sponsored organizations based in Rhode Island; arts educators and teaching artists in partnership with a school based in Rhode Island. Application Process: The application consists of a written application and an interview. Successful applicants will demonstrate experience in artistic disciplines, knowledge of arts instruction and commitment to professional learning, as well as understanding of their intended audience's learning needs and styles. Artists already listed on the Rhode Island Teaching Artist Roster can renew their listings annually by completing a background check and updating their profile on CreativeGround. Additional Information: Grants are decided through a rigorous panel process involving peers and cultural leaders from across the country. Panelists evaluate applications based on need, relevance to the community, diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. Funding recommendations are made by panelists after reviewing applications. Partial funding is common, so it is recommended to ask for the needed amount along with an accurate budget. Changes or updates to funded projects should be communicated to RISCA staff via email. Grant notifications are sent out via mail. The grant review process takes approximately six to twelve weeks. RISCA staff can provide support beyond grants and offer learning programs, events, and convenings to connect people in the arts and culture ecosystem in Rhode Island.