Purpose

Nonprofits have faced significant challenges due to the pandemic’s increased demand for services and changing operational needs, as well as declines in revenue sources. The purpose of the program is to provide assistance to nonprofits that experienced negative economic impacts as a result of the pandemic and are working to address food insecurity, housing instability and homelessness, and behavioral health needs of Rhode Islanders.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program applicants must meet the following criteria:

Nonprofit Type: Applicants must be a Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or have a fiscal sponsor/agent in the state. The following 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are ineligible for the program: hospitals, educational institutions, and foundations.

Program Services & Direct Assistance: Applicants must provide program services or direct assistance during the award period in the areas of:

• Housing instability and homelessness prevention
• Behavioral health services, defined as the promotion of mental health, resilience, and wellbeing (emotional, psychological, and social); the prevention and treatment of mental substance use disorders; the support of those who experience and/or are in recovery from these conditions
• Food insecurity

Grant Award Amounts

Grant awards are anticipated to be in the range of $50,000 to $150,000.

Use of Program Funds

Eligible Uses of Program Funds: Funds are for general operating support and can be applied to any Eligible Expense.

Eligible Expenses must be consistent with the uses permitted under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) defined in guidance and FAQs issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury and updated from time to time. Eligible Entities must familiarize themselves with this guidance and adhere to it.

Ineligible Uses of Funds: The following activities are not permitted under CSLFRF:

• Offset a reduction in net tax revenue (applicable to states and territories)
• Deposits into pension funds (applicable to all recipients except Tribes)
• Debt service or replenishing financial reserves (e.g. “rainy day funds”) (applicable to all recipients)
• Satisfaction of settlements and judgements (applicable to all recipients)
• Programs, services, or capital expenditures that include a term or condition that undermines efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 (applicable to all recipients)

Criteria

• Applications are being accepted until the closing date February 15, 2023, or until all funds are expended. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Applicants must be a Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or have a fiscal sponsor/agent.
• Applicants must attest they were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Organizations are only eligible to receive one grant from this program.

Priority will be given to:

Nonprofits whose missions are aligned with providing program services or direct assistance during the award period in the areas of housing instability and homelessness prevention, behavioral health services, and/or food insecurity.

Community-based organizations that are located in a HUD-identified Qualified Census Tract (QCT) as determined by the address of the organization. The Foundation will map addresses to census tract boundaries as part of application review. See map for locations of QCTs in Rhode Island.

To apply

Applications/Attestation forms will be submitted through an online application system and, in addition to responding to questions in the application, nonprofits will be required to submit the following materials:

• EIN Number
• Copy of most recent Form 990, 990EZ, or 990N and 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter if not already on file at the Rhode Island Foundation
• Organizational budget

Please click here to preview a sample application form.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with every attempt to make notifications within 4-6 weeks of submission, and all notifications no later than March 31, 2023. Please click here to apply.

NOTE: At any time, you may log into your account at https://www.grantrequest.com/SID_5741?SA=AM to access saved and submitted requests.