RI Foundation offering $10,000 grants for community projects

The Rhode Island Foundation is offering local libraries, schools, municipal agencies and nonprofit groups grants of up to $10,000 to fund proposals that bring people together as a community. April 6 is the deadline to apply.

“We believe that community is created at the intersection of people, places and traditions. Our goal is to make unique and important things happen that will enliven and build communities,” said Jessica David, the Foundation’s executive vice president of strategy and community investments.

Proposals should spark community engagement at the local level, be easily accessible to the community, involve new or enhance existing community partnerships, be doable, have a meaningful impact on the community, create lasting impact and make exceptionally good use of the funds.

“We’re looking for proposals that will improve the quality of life, promote collaboration and increase community engagement within a neighborhood or municipality,” said David.

Potential uses include improvements to parks and other public spaces, the creative use of art in public spaces and staging programming that invites people to experience community in public spaces. Priority will be given to proposals that include community support such as matching grants, the participation of volunteers and donated space or other forms of in-kind contributions.

While eligible projects may include either new initiatives or enhancements to ongoing and recurring initiatives, the grants are intended to support one-time costs and expenses. Projects will not be eligible for renewed support in future years. The application is posted at rifoundation.org.

This is the third consecutive year the Foundation has offered the Community Grants program. Previous winners include NeighborWorksBlackstone River Valley in Woonsocket, which received $10,000 to install the state's first outdoor, wood-fired, community bread oven in Market Square. More than $700,000 in grants has been awarded over the years.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $38 million and awarded $43 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities in 2017. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.