Rhode Island Private Grants

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.

The Rhode Island Foundation has announced the Joseph O’Neill Ott Fund Grants, a program designed to support historical and preservation societies throughout Rhode Island. This grant aligns with the foundation's mission to foster the well-being of the state by investing in its cultural heritage and ensuring the preservation of important historical documents and artifacts. The program's focus on restoration, preservation, and acquisition of documents directly contributes to the safeguarding of Rhode Island's rich history for future generations. The target beneficiaries of the Joseph O’Neill Ott Fund Grants are historical and preservation societies located in the smaller cities and towns of Rhode Island. The impact goal is to strengthen the capacity of these societies to effectively manage and protect historical documents. This includes providing financial assistance for activities such as restoration, the purchase of archival containers, and the costs associated with acquiring new historical materials. The program aims to ensure that valuable historical records are maintained in optimal conditions, making them accessible for research and public education. The primary priorities and focuses of the Ott Fund Grants are the long-term storage and preservation of historical documents. Proposals that demonstrate a clear concern for and a well-planned approach to long-term document storage are particularly favored. This emphasis underscores the foundation's commitment to sustainable preservation practices and proactive measures to prevent the deterioration or loss of historical records. Expected outcomes include improved physical condition of historical documents, enhanced organizational capacity for document management among recipient societies, and a more robust collection of preserved historical materials across Rhode Island. While specific measurable results are not explicitly stated, the program implicitly aims for an increase in the number of restored documents, more secure housing for historical items, and the successful acquisition of new documents that might otherwise be lost. The grant amounts, generally ranging from $250 to $750, are intended to provide tangible support for these crucial preservation efforts.

The Island Foundation is accepting applications for a grant program, with a deadline of 10/23/2024, aimed at supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that focus on environmental conservation, social change in New Bedford, alternative education, and addressing inequality for womxn and girls.

This funding opportunity supports grassroots community groups with limited resources to launch new environmental projects or significantly shift existing ones, focusing on those that amplify diverse voices and address environmental justice issues.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF), a program dedicated to restoring and sustaining healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands to provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. This initiative aligns with NFWF's broader mission to protect and restore native wildlife species and their habitats, leveraging public and private funding to achieve significant conservation outcomes. The NEFRF, formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund, represents a strategic investment in the ecological health of the Northeast region, fostering biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The program's target beneficiaries include various fish and wildlife populations such as river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout, wood turtles, golden-winged warblers, New England cottontails, and bobolinks. Beyond wildlife, the program also aims to benefit agricultural producers, particularly those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by helping them design and implement conservation practices. The impact goals are centered on improving habitat quality and connectivity, enhancing forest conditions, and promoting hayfield management conducive to successful grassland bird breeding. NEFRF's priorities and focuses are outlined in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), specifically targeting strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. Key implementation strategies for 2024 include restoring stream and riparian habitats, improving forest management for age and structural diversity, and promoting hayfield management. A significant portion of funding, approximately $625,000, is set aside for projects that assist agricultural producers in adopting conservation practices beneficial to target species like northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers, while also increasing Farm Bill program participation. Additionally, the program encourages projects that involve community outreach, engagement, collaborative management, and the incorporation of traditional knowledge and community input. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved habitat for specific fish and wildlife species, enhanced age and structural diversity in forest blocks, successful grassland bird breeding, and increased participation of agricultural producers in conservation programs. Projects are expected to contribute to measurable conservation benefits through community input, co-design processes, and engagement with community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to ensure project design, implementation, maintenance, and long-term sustainability post-grant award. The grant duration is three years, with projects expected to start no later than six months after the award date. The NFWF's strategic priorities for the NEFRF reflect a theory of change that posits by investing in targeted habitat restoration, improved land management, and community engagement, ecological health will be restored and sustained, benefiting both wildlife and human communities. Funding is provided by a consortium of partners including 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, underscoring a collaborative approach to conservation. The program encourages a holistic view of conservation, integrating scientific best practices with local community needs and traditional knowledge to achieve robust and lasting environmental improvements across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and parts of New York.

The Grow grant program, offered by the Grassroots Fund, is designed to support groups with existing project implementation experience in their communities. The program aligns with the Grassroots Fund's broad interpretation of "environment," funding a wide range of activities focused on local, grassroots work. The mission is to deepen community work by fostering vision development, increasing participation, identifying new stakeholders, and incorporating diverse voices and lived experiences into decision-making processes. Target beneficiaries for the Grow grant program are community-based, local initiatives, specifically those operating in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont. The program emphasizes supporting groups that represent a broad range of community voices and are not currently being reached by other funders. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen community-led efforts and ensure that decision-making processes are inclusive and reflective of various perspectives. The program prioritizes volunteer-driven groups or those with no more than two full-time paid staff (80 hours/week combined) and an approximate annual operating budget under $100,000. These priorities underscore the fund's strategic focus on supporting smaller, community-rooted organizations that may have limited access to other funding sources. The Grassroots Fund's theory of change appears to be centered on empowering local groups to drive community development and foster more equitable and participatory processes. Expected outcomes include communities with further developed visions, reduced barriers to participation, engagement of new stakeholders, and increased integration of diverse voices and lived experiences in core decision-making. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond these outcomes, the emphasis on "deepening their work" and "bringing more voices" suggests qualitative and potentially quantitative shifts in community engagement and project effectiveness. The grant size ranges from $1,000 to $4,000, providing crucial financial support to these initiatives. It's important to note that the fund does not support individuals, national or international work, lobbying, partisan political activity, land/building acquisition, studies without follow-up, publication of books/reports, micro/re-granting programs, or retroactive expenses. This clear outline of what is not supported further defines the strategic priorities of the Grassroots Fund, ensuring that grants are directed towards community-level, action-oriented initiatives that align with their mission of fostering grassroots environmental and social change.

This grant program supports 501(c)(3) organizations in Providence County, especially those in the north, focusing on Human Services, Basic Human Needs, or other areas not covered by other sectors. The Foundation excludes grants to public and charter schools. Review for these proposals occurs in September 2024, with the application deadline on August 19, 2024. Eligible organizations must submit a full application, including detailed financial documents. Reporting obligations for grant recipients will be outlined in the award letter.

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

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is offering the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects across the Northeast. The core mission of this program is to foster competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability. This aligns with a broader strategic objective of strengthening the regional dairy industry by enabling operations of all sizes to successfully launch and sustain their products in the marketplace. By focusing on start-up operations and tangible implementation, the NE-DBIC aims to facilitate direct economic impact and product innovation within the dairy sector. The program targets several key beneficiaries, including dairy farmers ready to begin processing, value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing or business startups, and dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in their start-up phase. The impact goals are centered on developing these businesses, supporting their entry into the market, and ultimately contributing to the economic vitality of the Northeast dairy industry. By providing financial assistance for start-up operations, the program seeks to create new opportunities for dairy-related businesses and products. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible implementation rather than earlier stages like research and development, concept development, or initial planning. This indicates a strategic emphasis on getting products to market and establishing sustainable business models. Eligibility criteria further refine this focus, requiring applicants to be headquartered or based in the Northeast, demonstrate proof of concept, have a robust business plan, obtain necessary licenses, and show commitment from buyers or distributors by the end of the grant period. Expected outcomes include the successful launch of new value-added dairy products, the establishment of competitive and viable dairy processing businesses, and increased market access for Northeast dairy products. Measurable results would likely include the number of new businesses launched, the volume of new products brought to market, and the economic growth generated within the participating dairy sectors. The NE-DBIC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, involve direct investment in the operational start-up phase, aiming for a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to the successful commercialization and long-term sustainability of dairy processing ventures in the region.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and public entities focused on improving economic security, educational success, and health outcomes through program development, capacity building, and advocacy efforts.

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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.

This program provides funding to early-career researchers in New England to support innovative studies that improve child health outcomes.

This grant provides funding for Rhode Island public middle and junior high schools to implement innovative, hands-on learning projects that enhance student engagement and address specific classroom needs.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island that focus on addressing community priorities and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that empower youth through physical fitness, literacy, and community engagement initiatives, particularly in New England.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations focused on preserving and promoting the legal history of Rhode Island through educational and public engagement initiatives.

This award recognizes and rewards private landowners in New England who implement exceptional conservation practices that improve soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on their farms, ranches, or forestlands.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods for improving local football fields, ensuring safe and accessible play spaces for community youth.

This fund provides financial support to charitable organizations in Providence, Rhode Island, that help low-income individuals meet their basic needs for food, shelter, and healthcare, with a preference for those led by a majority Protestant board.