Nonprofit organizations serving Newport County residents have until March 26 to apply for more than $270,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation.
The Newport County Fund offers grants of up to $10,000 to develop new programs, strengthen or expand established programs and support municipal planning or leadership. Applicants should focus on significant problems or opportunities, strategic partnerships, innovation and measuring results.
“This is just one of the ways we focus on funding the unique needs of the residents of Newport County,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “Working together with donors and partners that have strong local roots ensures our help addresses the needs and priorities across every community.”
Last year’s recipients included the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County, which received $5,000 to offer leadership development activities for Middletown High School freshmen; the Jamestown Community Food Pantry, which received $10,000 to offset rising food costs; and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport, which received $10,000 to provide need-based scholarships at its preschool.
The fund does not support individuals, scholarships, medical research, debt reduction or fundraising, but may fund faith-based organizations for secular programs. Grants are awarded annually with no multi-year commitments.
Since its founding, the fund has invested $6.3 million in programs and services for residents of Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth and Tiverton. In 2025 alone, the Foundation awarded $5.2 million in grants to Newport County nonprofits.
For more information or to apply, visit rifoundation.org.