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The Rhode Island Foundation has awarded more than $5.4 million in grants to dozens of nonprofits across the state. The funding will help Rhode Islanders with health care, housing and job training among other crucial needs.

This is the third round of grants made under the Foundation's Five-Year Action Plan, which introduced five enhanced Community Priorities: Civic and Cultural Life, Climate Action and Sustainability, Education and Student Success, Healthy and Strong Communities, and Housing and Economic Mobility; guided by inclusiveness, accessibility, empathy, mutual respect and humility.

“This funding is the result of the more than one year of community outreach and research that went into creating a comprehensive framework for addressing the demanding challenges our state faces,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation's president and CEO. "We are making strategic investments in programs that have the potential to make a real difference in the lives of Rhode Islanders who are confronted with increasingly difficult decisions as the cost of food, housing, health care and other basic needs rises. "

Nearly $5 million of the funding is through the Foundation’s Community Priority grant program, which provides programmatic and general operating support to organizations that respond to one or more of the Foundation’s community priorities and related focus areas.

The recipients include Aquidneck Community Table, the Creative Resource Center, Crisis Intervention Teams of R.I. (CIT-RI) and Harbor of Hope.

Aquidneck Community Table in Newport received $65,000 to support The Table: A Food + Community Hub, a year-round space designed to strengthen Aquidneck Island's local food system. Located in Middletown on the border with Newport, The Table will expand access to fresh, locally grown food while creating new economic opportunities for local growers, fishers, food makers and entrepreneurs.

"The Table represents what's possible when we invest in local food and in one another. This space will better connect people to fresh food, educational opportunities, wellness programming and local food producers and makers," said Rose Jones, executive director. "The hub will serve as a welcoming community space for markets, food distribution, educational programming, wellness activities and community connection—advancing our vision of a stronger and more just food system on the island.”

The Creative Reuse Center in Providence received $15,000 to offer creativity and sustainability programs in four Providence elementary schools that have limited visual arts, environmental science and civics classes. The organization obtains reusable art material and re-purposes it to promote learning, discovery and creative expression. In 2025, the CRC diverted 43,000 pounds of surplus art material from the landfill.

"Our programs focus on the impact humans have on the natural environment and students’ ability to make a positive impact on the natural world,” said Elizabeth Ochs, CRC director. “Magic happens when students have access to materials that spark their imagination. We can't wait to see what the students create."

CIT-RI in Middletown received $65,000 to provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies, improving their approach to responding to calls for service involving individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.

“De-escalation and diversion to care lead to better outcomes for law enforcement, communities and, most importantly, people experiencing behavioral health crises. Through CIT programs, we equip officers with the training and tools to recognize these situations, respond safely, build trust and connect individuals with the support and services they need," said Caitlin Gomes, executive director.

Harbor of Hope in Pawtucket received $30,000 to address the state’s shortage of certified nursing assistants. Through the Zenith CNA Academy, its community-based workforce development initiative, the nonprofit serves Rhode Islanders interested in entering the health care field who face financial, educational and systemic barriers to training, licensure and employment with tuition-free CNA training, certification preparation and job placement assistance.

“By strengthening pathways into health care careers and partnering with local employers and community stakeholders, we help meet critical workforce shortages while improving access to quality care for vulnerable populations,” said Crisolita Brito, founder and CEO. “Through this initiative, we aim to create sustainable, community-driven solutions that promote economic mobility, reduce health inequities and build healthier, more resilient communities across Rhode Island.”

Other Community Priority grant recipients include the Housing Hotline in Newport, Rhode Island Latino Arts in Providence, the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, the Westerly Land Trust and the R.I. Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, which includes clubs in East Providence, Pawtucket, Warwick and Woonsocket, among other communities.

The remaining $477,000 in grants is through the Foundation's Capacity Building program, which provides funding to support the infrastructure and technical assistance needs of organizations and programs that respond to one or more of the Foundation's community priorities and related focus areas.

The recipients include Amenity Aid in Warwick, Blackstone Valley Community Healthcare in Pawtucket, Child and Family Services of Newport County, Climate Action Rhode Island, the Galilee Mission in South Kingstown, New Urban Arts in Providence and Rebuild Woonsocket.

The full list of Community Priority and Capacity Building grant recipients is posted at rifoundation.org/recentgrantees.

With this round of grants, the Foundation has awarded $18.9 million since launching the two programs in July 2025 as part of its new Five Year Action Plan.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Through civic leadership, fundraising and grant-making activities, together with neighbors and partners, the Foundation is helping to create progress that lasts.