• Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations located or delivering services in the state of Rhode Island.
• We also recognize there are entities and efforts without a 501(c)(3) IRS designation that align with this funding opportunity. Given that, we will also consider grant applications from groups using a fiscal sponsor with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation.
• Specialized Health Fund awards do not fund individuals, scholarships, capital or endowment efforts, fundraising events, or campaigns to elect candidates to public office.

The Specialized Health Funds program is complementary to the Foundation’s Healthy and Strong Community Priority. The Foundation will prioritize applications that:  

• Demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the area of proposed work
• Have organizational infrastructure that indicates sufficient capacity for this work, including financial infrastructure and staff
• Have the strongest alignment between an application and available funds

Funding availability varies each year and could include the following areas:

• Working on education, prevention, and care of those with renal disease
• Providing hospice care for the terminally ill
• Providing care and relief to individuals suffering from incurable diseases
• Providing care and treatment for those with cancer
• Providing support for people with physical disabilities
• Helping or aiding those with developmental or intellectual disabilities
• In addition to the medical conditions listed above, there may be limited funding available for organizations providing support and care to individuals suffering from mental illness, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, or heart ailments
• Focusing on the outreach, education, clinical or basic research involving human growth hormone steroids or other performance enhancing substances
• Providing care and support for individuals with low-vision and blindness:
  • Assists visually impaired individuals in Rhode Island to move towards economic self-sufficiency
  • Advances innovative solutions for people affected by blindness or vision loss
  • Develops research-based solutions to the underlying disease or condition that causes blindness or vision loss, particularly macular degeneration
  • Supports summer camps for Rhode Island children with low-vision and blindness

Grants generally range from $10,000 to $50,000 depending upon availability of funds.

Due to the limited funding and varying amounts available within the different funds, please contact Zach Nieder to discuss your project. If it fits with the funding areas and available amounts, we will provide guidance on how to apply. 

If solicited, an applicant will be asked to submit a completed application, together with the following, via our online grants portal:

• Proposal budget
• Most recently Board-approved organizational budget
• A list of the current board of directors for the applicant organization
• 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.