Opportunity Overview
The Rhode Island Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program supports resident-led community-making efforts that strengthen social networks, collaboration, community engagement, lasting relationships, shared public spaces, problem-solving, volunteerism, and cultural connections across Rhode Island. The Foundation expressly links strong civic and cultural connections with improved physical and mental health, economic resilience, and adaptability in times of crisis.
Funding and Deadline
Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000. The application deadline is Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. The controlling Foundation page does not state a time zone, so Atlas does not infer one.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include Rhode Island nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public agencies such as libraries, and volunteer-led groups such as neighborhood and resident associations that are located in or deliver services in Rhode Island. Groups without 501(c)(3) status may apply through a qualifying fiscal sponsor. The program does not fund individuals, scholarships, capital campaigns, endowment efforts, fundraising events, lobbying, campaigns to elect candidates, or ongoing operational support.
Program Priorities and Requirements
Projects must produce visible results within 12 months, create lasting impact, be accessible to the broader community, and be relevant and beneficial to the specific neighborhood or community. Proposals are expected to leverage community resources such as cash contributions, volunteer time, donated space, or other in-kind support; the controlling page does not state a fixed cash-match percentage. One-time project costs are favored, and proposals previously funded through this program are not prioritized. Organizations not receiving Community Priority Grant funding receive priority.
Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the Rhode Island Foundation online grants portal. A proposal budget is required. An IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter is required only if the organization has never previously applied to the Foundation or when a fiscal sponsor is serving as fiscal agent.
Technology and Dr. Miltie Relevance
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. This is a community-building grant rather than a clinical-capability or healthcare-equipment program. Although the Foundation notes links between community connection and physical and mental health, the program’s priorities center on resident-led civic and community activity, so N9+ should not be introduced or forced into a proposal.
Atlas Assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 62/100. This is a verified, currently open Rhode Island opportunity with explicit health-adjacent outcomes and broad eligibility for nonprofits, public agencies, and resident-led groups. Its direct healthcare fit is modest, and the published maximum award is $10,000. No practical direct Dr. Miltie applicant path is established because Dr. Miltie’s eligibility under the nonprofit, public-agency, volunteer-group, or fiscal-sponsor rules has not been verified.
How to Apply
Submit the completed online application and proposal budget through the Rhode Island Foundation grants portal by September 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Because the controlling source does not specify a time zone, new Atlas applicant outreach is held until an authoritative time-zone clarification is available.
Controlling source: Rhode Island Foundation, Neighborhood Grants. Verified September 14, 2026.