Rhode Island Foundation Offers Grants To Serve LGBTQ+ Rhode Islanders

NEWPORT, RI — Nonprofits that serve the state’s LGBTQ+ communities have until Aug. 15 to apply for grants of up to $10,000 through the Equity Action Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation.

“In times as challenging as these have become, supporting organizations that serve the state's LGBTQ+ communities is vital,” said David N. Cicilline, the foundation’s president and CEO. “We are grateful to have donors who believe as we do that every Rhode Islander deserves access and acceptance.”

There are two categories of grants: Projects that meet the priority needs of the LGBTQ+ communities and building organizational capacity.

Last year, four Newport organizations received grants ranging up to $10,000, including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center for its LEAD (Love, Equity, Acceptance, Dreams) LGBTQIA+ Peer Youth Group, the Newport Community School to support its PROWD! and Gay Straight Alliance programs, Newport Pride for its Queer Connections initiative, and Newport Sings for Quorus, Newport's first and only LGBTQIA+ chorus.

Guided by a volunteer advisory committee comprised of leaders in Rhode Island’s LGBTQ+ communities, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million in grants through the fund to dozens of organizations over the years. The public can support the fund’s work by donating to it on the Foundation’s website.

The Equity Action Fund is just one of the ways the Foundation supports Rhode Island’s LBGTQ+ communities. Just since 2020, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million in additional funding to provide housing and health care among other services for LGTBQ+ Rhode Islanders.

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. For more information about applying for an Equity Action Fund grant, visit rifoundation.org.