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RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION

Rhode Island Foundation

Contact information:

1 Union Station
Providence, RI 02903-1746
Phone: 401-274-4564
Fax: 401-331-8085

Website: http://www.rifoundation.org/

Type of foundation: Community

Types of grants: Emergency funds, equipment, film/video/radio, general operating, land acquisition, capacity building, matching/challenge support, program-related investments, program development, scholarships, seed money, technical assistance.

Description: Incorporated in 1916, the Foundation seeks to improve the living conditions and well-being of the inhabitants of Rhode Island. The Foundation makes both donor-advised and discretionary grants. In 2010, discretionary grants accounted for 41% of the Foundation’s giving. In 2010, the Foundation announced a new focus on two signature initiatives:

  • Public education reform, with a focus on dropout prevention.
  • Primary healthcare reform, with a focus on reducing the number of Rhode Islanders without a primary care “home” and increasing the number of primary care doctors in the state.

The Foundation also continues to make grants in the areas of:

  • Arts and culture: To ensure the vitality of the arts sector and increase participation in the arts.
  • Community and economic development: To increase affordable housing options in the state and increase the number of Rhode Islanders ready to enter the workforce.
  • Environment: To maximize the conservation, restoration and stewardship of Rhode Island's natural resources and support local opportunities to address climate change.
  • Human services: To strengthen the continuum of care for at-risk children, youth in crisis and teen parents.

Most discretionary grants are made as Strategy Grants, which aim to meet significant community needs. The Foundation has identified an area of focus within each of the giving areas outlined above. Strategy grants aim to address these focus areas. A list of additional competitive grant opportunities is available here.

Sample grants:

  • $2,360,109 to Rhode Island Public Radio, WRNI Public Radio, Providence (2007).
  • $100,000 to Puertorriquenos Unidos, Providence, RI for Latino Public Radio to help further establish this important communications tool for Rhode Island (2007).
  • $89,175 to Harmony Hill School. This Strategy Grant will support a summer institute for urban teachers to help them learn to use the arts in their classrooms (2011).
  • $50,000 in a Strategy Grant to Harvard College to develop a blueprint or Rhode Island schools to address the needs of all students who may not be college bound, interested in technical post secondary training, and those who can move directly into the workplace (2011).
  • $20,000 to WSBE-TV-Channel 36, Providence, RI (2004).

Fit for public broadcasting: The Foundation has a strong focus on dropout prevention, an area of high interest to public media. The Foundation is interested in projects that combine innovation and proven programs; public media is positioned to demonstrate the success of its educational initiatives and also propose innovative educational activities.

Eligibility: Giving through discretionary funds is limited to Rhode Island. No support for religious organizations for sectarian purposes (except as specified by donors). No grants for capital campaigns or projects.

Deadline: There are no deadlines for Strategy Grants. See calendar of other deadlines here.

How to apply: Application guidelines and required forms can be found here.Organizations interested in applying for a Strategy Grant must have a pre-application meeting with a program officer.

Giving range: Recent Strategy Grants range up to $200,000.

Assets: $573 million (2010)

Total giving: $29,242,790 (2010)

View 2010 Annual Report here.