Aquidneck Island Land Trust is now accepting applications for grants from the Merritt Neighborhood Fund, an endowed fund which seeks to support the preservation of small parks, community gardens, and other natural spaces on Aquidneck Island.
Established in 1999 to honor the late Peter M. Merritt, the Land Trust’s president emeritus, the Fund supports projects that strengthen community identity and character, and which model the ethic of land conservation and stewardship through community volunteerism. Grants provide up to $2,500 to each awardee.
“The Merritt Neighborhood Fund has been making an impact on our community since its inception,” Terry Sullivan, Executive Director, said. “Providing local community groups the opportunity to enhance their own neighborhoods with small grants. We have been very impressed with the outcomes that just a little love can bring to these green spaces, and we look forward to continuing spreading more this year.”
The projects funded in the 2024 grant cycle were: Aquidneck Elementary School (creation of a learning garden); Battle of Rhode Island Association (Butts Hill Fort volunteer cleanup); Channing Memorial Church (Magnolia tree plantings); Emmanuel Chruch (expansion of the Community Garden); The Pennfield School (Land Acknowledgement trail signage); Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Hamilton Trust (compost bin and support); Town of Middletown (preservation of Albro Woods ecosystem); and The Zabriskie Memorial Church of St. John the Evangelist (Restoration of the prayer garden).
Applications for the 2025 Merritt Neighborhood Fund grants can be found on the Land Trust’s website (https://ailt.org/our-work/merritt-fund/). Applications must be received by March 21, 2025. Award decisions will be made by the end of April.
Aquidneck Island Land Trust is the oldest accredited land trust in Rhode Island. Since 1990, it has conserved 102 properties covering 2,854 acres of land on Aquidneck Island.