OSCT: Edward Ricci Award Grant

The OSCT: Edward Ricci Award, offered by the Ocean State Charities Trust, aims to support 501(c)(3) organizations enhancing the quality of life for Rhode Islanders. Grantees must be incorporated in Rhode Island, operational for at least two years, and demonstrate social welfare initiatives in areas like housing and education. Applications are accepted semi-annually, with deadlines on February 1 and August 1 each year, promoting a structured approach to funding community-focused programs.

Ocean State Charities Trust
Ocean State Charities Trust assists agencies and organizations within the state of Rhode Island to enhance the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders.
The grant-making policies of the Trust specify that grantees must be qualified under Section 501(c)(3) as a public charity, be incorporated in Rhode Island, be in operation for two consecutive years before applying, and follow detailed application and review process. The Trust considers applications for grants on a semi-annual basis, generally in May and November of each year. In the absence of exceptional circumstances, the Trust will not make grants to organizations to fund a program purpose for which the Trust has previously made a grant award within the past eighteen months.
Deadlines
Online applications will be accepted for Cycle One from February 1st through March 1st. Cycle Two applications will be accepted from August 1st through September 1st.

Eligibility

Grantees must be charitable organizations qualified under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and must present proof thereof. Grantees must be legal entities located in the State of Rhode Island, and be actively engaged in charitable endeavors and activities in the State of Rhode Island.Regional programs will only be considered for grants if there is a measurable way to monitor and document activity within the State of Rhode Island.Grantees must operate to enhance the quality of life of Rhode Islanders, promote social welfare in the state, or assist the people of Rhode Island such as in the areas of housing, health, education, or similar activities.Any 501(C)(3) agency or organization applying to the Trust must be in operation for two consecutive years before applying.

Ineligibility

No grant shall exceed $20,000 in any calendar year, and all applications for grants must be processed online.Grantees may not be private foundations or individual persons.The Trust will not accept applications for 18 months from organizations that had previously been granted funding.The Trust will not make grants for the purpose of adding to endowment funds, will not make loans, will not make grants to reduce a prior year’s deficit, and will not make grants that will be re-distributed to other charities.It is the policy of the Trust not to fund regular operating expenses of groups or fund personnel costs.