• Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations located in the state of Rhode Island
• Basic Human Needs grants do not fund individuals, indirect costs, scholarships, capital or endowment efforts, fundraising events, or campaigns to elect candidates to public office
• Grants may support faith-based organizations for secular programs or projects

This program has a primary focus of providing grants to volunteer-based organizations that have minimal operational budgets. Larger organizations providing wrap around services that have a basic needs component in their work may be eligible to apply for support through our Community Priority grant program. Fulfilling basic human needs is tied to addressing social determinants of health, a focus area under the Healthy and Strong Communities community priority.

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.

Grants 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 to work or appointments (bus passes, auto repairs)
• Child care assistance for homeless families
• Toiletries

This program does not support the distribution of products or services to other nonprofits.

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

Grants are for up to $5,000.

Please submit a completed application, together with the following, via our online grants portal:

• Proposal budget 
• IRS 501(c)(3) Tax Determination Letter (not a tax-exempt certificate)   
  Required only if your organization has never applied to the Rhode Island Foundation for funding. If an organization is serving as the fiscal agent for this project, please submit the IRS 501(c) tax determination letter for the fiscal agent.