$4.5 Million In Grants Available For Nonprofits In RI

PROVIDENCE, RI — Nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island can apply for up to $4.5 million in federal coronavirus relief funding grants, Gov. Dan McKee announced Monday.

"Nonprofits have had an immeasurable impact on our communities during this pandemic, and we must make sure they get the support they deserve," McKee said. "These grants provide an opportunity for our local nonprofit organizations to invest in their services and programs so that they can continue to help Rhode Islanders in need."

Grants range from $25,000 to $100,000 and can be used towards services or direct assistance for organizations that involved in the COVID-19 response effort. This includes housing, homelessness prevention, behavioral health services, access to health care, job training, food insecurity and child care. Applications must be submitted by Dec. 6.

"I am so grateful for our community partners who step up to the plate, and I encourage all who are eligible to apply," McKee said. "I want to thank Neil Steinberg and the Rhode Island Foundation for administering these grants and making the best use of valuable federal funding."

Steinberg, the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, said that funding will be in "the hands of the boots-on-the-ground organizations without delay."

"These grants will shore up nonprofit organizations around the state that work diligently every day and have spent the past 20 months in an unrelenting effort to help those in their communities cope with the challenges created by the COVID pandemic," Steinberg said.

All nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island are eligible. Nonprofit hospitals, educational institutions and foundations do not meet the qualifications. To apply, organizations must submit a copy of their most recent Form 990, 990EZ or 990N and their 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter if not already on file at the Foundation.

The Rhode Island Nonprofit Support Fund II was established jointly by Governor McKee, through the Rhode Island Pandemic Recovery Office and the Foundation. It distributed $2.5 million during the initial phase in December 2020.

Read more about the program and how to apply on the RI Foundation's website.