Campership Requests Grant

The Champlin Foundation offers campership grants to support Rhode Island's tax-exempt organizations in providing financial assistance for children unable to afford summer camp. Since 1991, these grants have aimed to create equitable access to enriching camp experiences. The application portal opens on September 1st and closes on October 15th, with notifications by December and awards distributed by mid-January. This initiative continues the Foundation's long-standing commitment to community support and development.

NOTE: Any camp operator that has not received a Champlin grant in the past wishing to apply is encouraged to talk with staff prior to submitting a request to review the parameters of the grant program.
The online portal for campership grant applications opens at 12:00 am on September 1st and closes at 11:59 pm on October 15th.
Foundation History
Since 1932, the Foundation has awarded nearly $705 million.
Champlin’s investment in Rhode Island’s nonprofit community for the past nine decades has been almost entirely for capital projects. These investments have enabled better medical care, improved educational outcomes, expanded access to social services, fostered economic impact, conserved open space, preserved historic buildings, cultivated creativity and artistic expression, safeguarded care for animals, and more.
It all started with Stanton B. Champlin. Champlin was only twelve years old when he ran away from his family farm in South Kingstown, RI. It was 1838, and he moved to Providence and became a jeweler’s apprentice. Years later, he would establish the S.B. Champlin Company with his only son, George Byron Champlin. It would grow beyond jewelry and become an industrial empire that expanded into the manufacturing of aluminum, copper and brass tube, jewelry wire, valves, hand trucks, pipe fittings, and hand pumps.
Through the leadership of Stanton Champlin, his son George Byron Champlin, and his grandson George Stanton Champlin, this vast conglomerate became a powerful economic engine that employed thousands and helped drive the economy of Rhode Island and the nation.
While the businesses were retired, the wealth has remained intact in service of Rhode Island, thanks to the creation of the first of the family’s philanthropic foundations in 1932 by the runaway’s grandchildren.
From the first gift of $50 to Rhode Island Hospital in 1933 to buy eyeglasses for the needy, to the preservation of thousands of acres of open space to the distribution of millions of dollars to support social services.
We continue to build on this rich tradition today, seeking to work in relationship with Rhode Island’s nonprofits, acting as a convener, a coach, and a facilitator for collective success and engagement. We prioritize listening and learning, especially with those organizations serving marginalized communities.
Since 1991, funds have been awarded to select organizations to provide financial assistance for children who might otherwise not be able to afford summer camp. You will receive notice by the end of December and grant awards are distributed by mid-January to those receiving support.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a campership grant, the applicant must be a tax-exempt organization in Rhode Island and be in good standing with the IRS. Camps will only be considered if they are accredited through the American Camping Association (ACA), or another rigorous, independent organization previously approved by Champlin. The Champlin Foundation examines several factors when considering requests for support, including but not limited to:Mission Alignment: The stated mission of the applicant is directly aligned with one of Champlin’s areas of focus, and the project or equipment related to the request is appropriate to and reasonably aligned with the mission of the organization.Equity & Inclusion:The Champlin Foundation is committed to intentionally and strategically advancing equity in its grantmaking. We bring a deliberate equity and inclusion lens to grantmaking across our nine areas of focus. This means we consider indicators such as the makeup of the Board and Staff, the demographics of the community served, and how the organization considers its work with and for historically under resourced communities.Track Record of Success:Projects previously supported by Champlin (if applicable) were successfully completed as anticipated, the applicant has prior experience with a capital project or similar project, and the applicant has the staff, board, and/or consultants with the required skills and experience to carry out the project.Organizational Capacity:The organization is committed to transparency and open to sharing its management structure, approaches to diversity and inclusion, and its finances as demonstrated program effectiveness. Strong leadership and an engaged, supportive board of directors with no fiscal concerns are considered.Leverages of other funding:Where applicable, the project has received support that needs to be matched or there are other requests planned or pending; or, successfully completing the project of purchasing the equipment may reduce overall ongoing operating costs.Project Feasibility:The costs are reasonable and supported by up-to-date estimates, the project is likely to be completed within the projected timeline, and the fundraising, design, site acquisition, permitting, construction, and occupancy plans are reasonable and/or in place.

Ineligibility

Memorials & Statues
Municipal Animal Shelters, Fire and/or Police Departments, and Playgrounds
Municipal Parks (however, a separate 501c3 “Friends” organization may apply)