Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Rhode Island
178 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Rhode Island, holding $2.8B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 28 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ralph R Papitto and Barbara a Papitto Private Family Foundationsince 2022 | Providence, RI | $24M270 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $6.8M |
| Warren Alpert Foundationsince 2019 | Providence, RI | $24M99 grants · 2024 | $35K | Yes | $397M |
| Cvs Foundationsince 1993 | Woonsocket, RI | $21M778 grants · 2024 | $1,500 | Yes | $194M |
| Jonathan M Nelson Family Foundationsince 1999 | Providence, RI | $8.8M14 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $180M |
| Hassenfeld Foundationsince 1947 | Providence, RI | $8.4M44 grants · 2024 | $105K | Preselected only | $55M |
| Fm Foundationsince 1987 | Johnston, RI | $7.9M25 grants · 2024 | $40K | Preselected only | $17M |
| Dorot Foundationsince 1959 | Providence, RI | $5.3M94 grants · 2024 | $35K | Preselected only | $158M |
| Textron Charitable Trust 540 008since 1995 | Providence, RI | $4.2M1,199 grants · 2024 | $500 | Yes | $9.5M |
| Amica Companies Foundationsince 1997 | Lincoln, RI | $4.2M1,288 grants · 2024 | $500 | Preselected only | $44M |
| Disosway Foundation Incsince 2018 | Westerly, RI | $2.8M10 grants · 2024 | $163K | Preselected only | $75M |
| Murray Family Charitable Foundationsince 1995 | Providence, RI | $2.7M1 grants · 2024 | $2.7M | Preselected only | $34M |
| Collis Foundationsince 1997 | Providence, RI | $2.5M22 grants · 2024 | $40K | Yes | $87M |
| Carter Family Charitable Trustsince 1992 | L Compton, RI | $2.1M1 grants · 2024 | $2.1M | Yes | $45M |
| Forrest C and Frances H Lattner Foundation Incsince 2005 | E Greenwich, RI | $2.0M62 grants · 2024 | $11K | Preselected only | $53M |
| Grace K and Wesley S Alpert Charitable Foundationsince 2012 | Cranston, RI | $1.9M24 grants · 2024 | $7,500 | Preselected only | $56M |
| The Papitto Foundationsince 1988 | Hope, RI | $1.8M19 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $7.0M |
| Godley Family Foundationsince 2012 | N Kingstown, RI | $1.7M37 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $35M |
| Centreville Savings Bank Charitable Foundationsince 2008 | West Warwick, RI | $1.6M138 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $27M |
| Feinstein Foundation Incsince 1992 | Cranston, RI | $1.6M1 grants · 2025 | $1.6M | Yes | $32M |
| The Norman and Rosalie Fain Family Foundationsince 1967 | Pawtucket, RI | $1.5M33 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $27M |
| Thomas a Rodgers Jr Family Foundationsince 1999 | Newport, RI | $1.4M44 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $26M |
| Edward J & Virginia M Routhier Foundationsince 1995 | Johnston, RI | $1.4M45 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $17M |
| The Charlesmead Foundation Incsince 1988 | Providence, RI | $1.4M35 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $23M |
| Shriners of Rhode Island Charities Trustsince 1993 | Cranston, RI | $1.3M2 grants · 2024 | $643K | Yes | $32M |
| Bazarsky Family Foundationsince 2018 | Middletown, RI | $1.3M55 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $11M |
| Seedworks Fundsince 1996 | Block Island, RI | $1.3M25 grants · 2025 | $35K | Preselected only | $14M |
| Simon W Wardwell Foundationsince 2013 | Cranston, RI | $1.1M21 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $20M |
| Bafflin Foundationsince 1991 | Providence, RI | $1.1M28 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $14M |
| Trimix Foundationsince 1997 | Providence, RI | $1.1M3 grants · 2024 | $500K | Yes | $45M |
| Roberts Charitable Foundation Tr 2003since 2005 | Westerly, RI | $1.0M12 grants · 2024 | $56K | Preselected only | $24M |
| The White Family Foundationsince 2000 | Cranston, RI | $996K44 grants · 2025 | $7,500 | Yes | $7.2M |
| Carol & Alan J Bernon Family Charit Ablesince 1991 | E Greenwich, RI | $903K12 grants · 2024 | $40K | Preselected only | $6.8M |
| Mann Family Foundationsince 1998 | Providence, RI | $876K74 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $6.5M |
| Gruben Charitable Foundationsince 2008 | Newport, RI | $815K32 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $17M |
| Donald P and Elaine M Hayden Foundationsince 2021 | Lincoln, RI | $757K18 grants · 2024 | $16K | Yes | $20M |
| Felicia Fund Incsince 1986 | Providence, RI | $707K30 grants · 2024 | $3,850 | Yes | $8.3M |
| Fred M Roddy Foundation Incsince 2020 | Providence, RI | $634K14 grants · 2025 | $44K | Yes | $8.6M |
| Ejmp Fund for Philanthropysince 2008 | Riverside, RI | $630K46 grants · 2024 | $12K | Yes | $13M |
| De Ramel Foundationsince 2009 | Newport, RI | $616K32 grants · 2024 | $4,500 | Preselected only | $12M |
| Henry C Lord Scholarship Fund Trustsince 1979 | Johnston, RI | $614K1 grants · 2024 | $614K | Yes | $11M |
| Banknewport Charitable Foundationsince 2022 | Middletown, RI | $614K106 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $13M |
| Navigant Credit Union Charitable Foundation Incsince 2017 | Smithfield, RI | $569K36 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $10M |
| Leonard & Hilda Kaplan Charitable Foundationsince 1986 | Providence, RI | $560K24 grants · 2025 | $25K | Yes | $11M |
| Feibelman Foundationsince 1999 | Providence, RI | $556K7 grants · 2025 | $40K | Preselected only | $20M |
| Schocken Foundation Incsince 1964 | Barrington, RI | $553K12 grants · 2024 | $23K | Preselected only | $9.1M |
| Horace a & S Ella Kimball Foundationsince 1913 | Westerly, RI | $522K32 grants · 2024 | $11K | Preselected only | $11M |
| Act Foundationsince 2022 | Warwick, RI | $515K42 grants · 2022 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $33M |
| Helene & Bertram Bernhardt Foundationsince 2006 | Providence, RI | $509K15 grants · 2024 | $4,500 | Yes | $11M |
| Masonic Grand Lodge Charities of R I Incsince 1972 | E Providence, RI | $504K3 grants · 2024 | $119K | Yes | $8.5M |
| Citizens Community Foundationsince 1969 | Johnston, RI | $370K19 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $6.3M |
| R D La Penta Medical Scholarship Trsince 2009 | Johnston, RI | $348K1 grants · 2025 | $348K | Yes | $7.5M |
| Devereux Ocean Foundation Incsince 2019 | Jamestown, RI | $303K6 grants · 2024 | $60K | Preselected only | $7.2M |
| Edward Wagner & George Hosser Scholarship Fundsince 1971 | Johnston, RI | $292K3 grants · 2024 | $81K | Yes | $6.1M |
| Otto H York Foundation Incsince 1986 | Providence, RI | $270K12 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $6.1M |
| Everhope Foundationsince 2014 | Providence, RI | $266K21 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $6.1M |
| Gilbane Family Foundation Incsince 2023 | Providence, RI | $232K24 grants · 2024 | $1,000 | Preselected only | $7.3M |
| Grand Street Foundationsince 2016 | Providence, RI | $219K8 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $6.3M |
| Lawson Charitable Foundationsince 2022 | Barrington, RI | $215K9 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $10M |
| Van Beuren Charitable Foundation Incsince 1987 | Newport, RI | — | — | Not stated | $378M |
| Blackstone Valley Development Corpsince 2009 | Pawtucket, RI | — | — | Preselected only | $11M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Rhode Island
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Rhode Island State Council on the Arts — Organizational GrantsStateRhode Island State Council on the Arts | Rhode Island State Council on the Arts | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Rhode Island Council for the Humanities — Humanities GrantsStateRhode Island Council for the Humanities | Rhode Island Council for the Humanities | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Rhode Island?
Our directory lists 178 private grantmaking foundations in Rhode Island with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $2.8B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.