Grant Sherburne Fund Grant

The Grant Sherburne Fund, established in 1888, supports nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island focused on basic human needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare for underserved populations. The fund encourages proposals for operating and program support that align with its mission, while small capital expenses may be included. However, educational programs and support for startups are generally not funded. The grant aims to strengthen the nonprofit sector and enhance community well-being.

The Grant Sherburne Fund was established by the 1888 will of Urania C.
Guidelines
The Grant Sherburne Fund focuses its limited resources on grants to nonprofit organizations that provide basic human needs including food, shelter and healthcare to underserved populations in Rhode Island.
Program type
HealthWe fund programming that improves access to primary care and health education initiatives for traditionally underserved individuals. In addition, we manage several foundations engaged in medical research. Human ServicesWe are committed to serving the community by supporting organizations meeting the basic needs of all individuals. Since the human service needs of communities are broad and evolving, we fund a wide array of programming.

Eligibility

The Grant Sherburne Fund focuses its limited resources on grants to nonprofit organizations that provide basic human needs including food, shelter and healthcare to underserved populations in Rhode Island. Grant requests for general operating support or program support for basic needs including food, shelter and health care will be considered.Small, program-related capital expenses may be included in general operating or program requests.We encourage requests for operating support to help build the capacity and strength of the nonprofit community, and we recognize the expressed need by the nonprofit community for more operating funding. Program requests can be stronger if a particular program fits within the foundation’s mission, where the broader work of the organization does not or if the applying organization is very large.

Ineligibility

Although current-day philanthropy may view education as a basic need, we would not anticipate educational programs to be successful applicants.We typically do not provide support for start-ups. Please note that, in general, we strongly discourage public agencies from requesting general operating support; further, we will not provide general operating support for any public school, including public  charter schools.