Emma G. Harris Foundation Grant

Emma G. Harris Foundation Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Emma G. Harris Foundation
Last Updated: June 19, 2025

Summary

The Emma G. Harris Foundation Grant supports established vocational and job training programs for youth aged 14 to 24 in Rhode Island. Applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry certified by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Grants typically last one year and are aimed at nonprofit organizations that focus on job skills training rather than general education, excluding startup programs and capital projects.

Overview

NOTE: Letter of Inquiry - The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must certify that each LOI applicant meets the Harris Foundation's requirements, specifically that the program provides vocational or job skills training via an established course that is offered to youth and young adults ages 14 to 24. Certification is then sent to the Foundation’s trustee, Bank of America, N.A.Full Proposal - Once LOIs are certified by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, select applicants will receive an email invitation in June from the trustee to submit a full application on, or before the specified deadline. Emma G. Harris Foundation Grant Mission The Foundation was established by Emma G. Harris’ 1922 will to provide funding for such institutions "as shall have an established course in technical, industrial, household or domestic training and shall be recognized by the Board of Education … of the State of Rhode Island." Ms. Harris wrote, "I am satisfied that assistance in the education of boys and girls in technical, industrial, household and domestic training is a most worthy and commendable object." The majority of grants from the Harris Foundation are 1 year in duration.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Harris Foundation supports established technical, industrial, household and domestic training programs for young adults. Although household and domestic training programs are mentioned in Ms. Harris' will, the Foundation is focused on preparing youth and young adults, ages 14 to 24, to work outside of the home.More specifically, courses must:Offer vocational or job training, rather than general education. ESL/ESOL may be included in vocational/job training requestsFocus on youth and young adults, ages 14 to 24, rather than adults and/or people who are currently employedBe established courses (as opposed to newly launched)

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not consider:Grants for startup programsGrant requests for capital projectsPrograms targeted to middle school students or younger, even though Ms. Harris mentions boys and girls in her will