RIF: Basic Human Needs Grants

The RIF: Basic Human Needs Grants provide crucial support to community agencies in Rhode Island, offering up to $5,000 for emergency assistance programs. These grants target organizations delivering essential services such as food, clothing, housing, and utilities assistance. The funding aims to help both new initiatives and established programs, ensuring they can meet the needs of Rhode Islanders in crisis. Organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria to apply, emphasizing the importance of local support for vulnerable populations.

Basic Human Needs Grants support community agencies that provide emergency assistance to Rhode Islanders most in need. Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded to community-based programs that provide direct assistance, such as:
Food (food pantries, soup kitchens)ClothingHousing/rental assistancePrescription assistanceUtilities assistanceTransportation assistance (bus passes, auto repairs)Child care assistance for homeless familiesToiletries
Basic Human Needs Grants support the launch of a new program or support of an established program. For established programs, the Basic Human Needs Grant cannot be the only source of funding.
Site visits may be conducted.

Eligibility

To be considered for a Basic Human Needs Grant, you will need:
Your organization's employer identification number (EIN) or that of your fiscal agent, if you are not a 501(c),An electronic copy of your 501(c) determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service to upload into your application, if you have not received previous funding from the Foundation, andTo be current on all reporting requirements.Organizations can receive one Basic Human Needs Grant per calendar year.

Ineligibility

IndividualsOut-of-state agenciesDistribution of products or services to other nonprofits