The Champlin Foundation announced Tuesday that 10 nonprofits across Newport County will share more than $1.25 million in its 2026 Cycle 1 grants, part of a broader $12,192,398 in awards distributed to 103 Rhode Island organizations operating in 28 cities and towns.
The Cranston-based foundation funds capital projects for Rhode Island nonprofits and has awarded more than $737 million since 1932 across nine focus areas, including arts and culture, healthcare, education, historic preservation, libraries, social services and the welfare of animals.
“The funding landscape, both at the government and philanthropic level, for the social sector has been in a sustained state of upheaval, making the challenges these essential organizations face overwhelming,” said Nina Stack, executive director of The Champlin Foundation. “Yet, the Rhode Island nonprofit community continues to show up, providing extraordinary service to the people of Rhode Island.”
Newport: $664,720 across six organizations
The largest single award in the city went to the Preservation Society of Newport County, which received $400,000 for The Breakers Terrace Restoration.
The Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust received $100,000 for electrical system upgrades.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center received $61,485 to purchase a vehicle, and the Women’s Resource Center of Newport and Bristol Counties received $51,235 for a van purchase and shelter renovations.
Newport Classical received $27,000 for bathroom expansion and ADA compliance, and Bike Newport received $25,000 for high-capacity bicycle racks for events.
Middletown: $533,435 across two organizations
The Middletown Public Library received $500,000 toward its library relocation and expansion — among the largest awards in the entire spring cycle.
Newport Mental Health received $33,435 for door accessibility improvements.
Portsmouth: $9,850
The Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District received $9,850 for foundation and site work at AgInnovation Farm.
Tiverton: $50,000
West Place Animal Sanctuary received $50,000 to install a rotational grazing system fence.
Jamestown and Little Compton
No organizations in Jamestown or Little Compton received funding in the 2026 Cycle 1 round.
Next round opens June 1
The next Champlin Foundation grant application cycle opens June 1 and closes July 1, with final decisions to be made by the Distribution Committee in November. A full list of 2026 Cycle 1 recipients and information about applying is available at ChamplinFoundation.org.
