RIC Foundation- Catalyst Grants

The RIC Foundation's Catalyst Grants program aims to support innovative initiatives that catalyze change in Rhode Island. By prioritizing collaborations among organizations, the program addresses essential community priorities while emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Grants are available to state and local governments, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations, focusing on systemic inequities. Applications are accepted annually, with a single grant awarded per cycle, fostering impactful partnerships for lasting progress.

Through deep engagement and discussion with the public, collaboration with our partners, research, and data analysis, we identified six community priorities that are essential for a thriving Rhode Island. These priorities were consistently voiced by the community we serve and will guide the Rhode Island Foundation’s efforts in the years ahead.
The Catalyst Grant program is one of our three core grant programs and primarily provides larger and multi-year grants to support innovative initiatives focused on catalyzing change and creating lasting progress that responds to one or more of the community priorities, and related focus areas, in the Foundation's Five-Year Action Plan. Applications that demonstrate strong collaboration among organizations and across sectors will be prioritized.
At the center of each community priority is a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA), ensuring that our efforts address systemic inequities and support thriving communities.
How this program works
This is a core Foundation grant program providing larger and multi-year grants to innovative initiatives focused on catalyzing change and lasting progress both within and across community priorities.
The primary goal of the program is to support collaborations that can implement innovative approaches by breaking down barriers that have prevented progress in the past. Funding can be used to develop new innovative partnerships or support existing collaborations that seek to expand and include additional partners.
Applicants can apply once a year and are only eligible for one Catalyst Grant award per grant cycle.

Eligibility

Organizations can include state and local government, and/or academic institutions in addition to nonprofit organizations.

Ineligibility

This program will not fund individuals, for-profit entities, event sponsorships, or capital projects.