RIF: Grants from Specialized Health Funds

The Rhode Island Foundation's Specialized Health Funds program, starting in 2025, will consolidate several funds to support nonprofit organizations addressing health needs in Rhode Island. Key focus areas include care for individuals with renal disease, cancer, and disabilities, as well as support for children with low-vision and blindness.

Please note: There are two grant deadlines for this program:
Focus Areas
The Rhode Island Foundation stewards a collection of funds of various sizes that generous donors have established to address health and healthcare needs of Rhode Islanders. These funds are used to support our Medical Research program and, through the Specialized Health Funds program, provide support to nonprofit organizations working in these fields. Funding availability varies each year and could include the following areas:
Working on the education, prevention, and care of those with renal diseaseProviding hospice care for the terminally illProviding care and relief to individuals suffering from incurable diseasesProviding care and treatment for those with cancerProviding support for persons with physical disabilitiesHelping or aiding those with developmental or intellectual disabilitiesIn addition to the medical conditions listed above, there may be limited funding available for organizations providing support and care to individuals suffering from mental illness, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, or heart ailments.Focusing on the outreach, education, clinical or basic research involving human growth hormone steroids or other performance enhancing substancesProviding care and support for individuals with low-vision and blindness:Assists visually impaired individuals in Rhode Island to move towards economic self-sufficiencyAdvances innovative solutions for people affected by blindness or vision lossDevelops research-based solutions to the underlying disease or condition that causes blindness or vision loss, particularly macular degenerationSupports summer camps for Rhode Island children with low-vision and blindness

Eligibility

Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations located or delivering services in the state of Rhode IslandDemonstrated knowledge and expertise in the area of proposed workOrganizational infrastructure that indicates sufficient capacity for this work, including financial infrastructure and staffGrant support for Specialized Health Funds will not exclude and organization’s ability to apply to the Rhode Island Foundation for other grant programsAlignment with available funds

Ineligibility

Specialized Health Fund awards do not fund individuals, scholarships, capital or endowment efforts, fundraising events, or campaigns to elect candidates to public office