Basic Human Needs Grants support community agencies that provide emergency assistance to Rhode Islanders most in need. Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded to community-based programs that provide direct assistance, such as:

• Food (food pantries, soup kitchens)
• Clothing
• Housing/rental assistance
• Prescription assistance
• Utilities assistance
• Transportation assistance (bus passes, auto repairs)
• Child care assistance for homeless families
• Toiletries

Application information

Basic Human Needs Grants support the launch of a new program or support of an established program. For established programs, the Basic Human Needs grant funding cannot be the only source of funding.

Site visits may be conducted.

Please note that Basic Human Needs grant funding will prioritize volunteer-based organizations that have minimal operational budgets.

To discuss use of funds for activities, or for other uses of funds not listed above, please email Donna Sowden, Grant Programs Officer, at dsowden@rifoundation.org.

The program does not support:

• Individuals
• Out-of-state agencies
• Distribution of products or services to other nonprofits

To apply

There will be two Basic Human Needs grant cycles each calendar year. Organizations can receive one Basic Human Needs grant per year.

• Round One: The application for Round One opens January 17, 2025, with a deadline of April 11, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. Selected grantees will be notified of their awards and applicants will be notified of denials in June 2025. 
• Round Two: The application for Round Two opens August 1, 2025, with a deadline of October 10, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. Selected grantees will be notified of their awards and applicants will be notified of denials in December 2025. 

A complete application package includes: 

• Completed application form, submitted through our online system; and
• Completed budget form, also submitted through our online system;

To complete an application that is already in progress, and to submit, please click here.