The Rhode Island Foundation seeks to address the health and healthcare needs of Rhode Islanders by managing and distributing funds from generous donors. These funds are designated for specific medical conditions, aiming to support nonprofit organizations working within these areas to improve health outcomes and address health inequities and disparities across the state.
The Basic Human Needs Grants program is designed to support Rhode Island community agencies that provide emergency assistance to the state's most vulnerable residents. It offers grants of up to $5,000 to community-based programs that offer direct assistance in various essential areas, including food provision through food pantries and soup kitchens, clothing, housing/rental aid, prescription and utilities assistance, transportation aid (including bus passes, Riptiks, and auto repairs), child care assistance for homeless families, and toiletries. The program is open to initiatives aimed at starting a new service or supporting the ongoing operations of established programs, with a stipulation for the latter that the Basic Human Needs Grant cannot be their only source of funding. Additionally, organizations that have consistently received grants for three consecutive years have the opportunity to apply for a multi-year grant, streamlining the funding process for up to three years with the same annual award amount, contingent upon the delivery of an evaluation report.