OSCT: Roger Schonning Award Grant

The OSCT: Roger Schonning Award, provided by the Ocean State Charities Trust, aims to enhance the quality of life for Rhode Islanders by supporting charitable organizations that operate within the state. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) entities, operating for at least two years, and focused on social welfare, health, housing, and education. Grants are capped at $20,000 and are awarded semi-annually, with specific guidelines to ensure accountability and effectiveness in funding.

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.

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 ofadding to endowment funds,will not make loans,will not make grants to reduce a prior year’s deficit, andwill 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.