Rhode Island Foundation gives out $5.4M in Grants for Housing, Food, Health Care and Police Training

Dozens of Rhode Island nonprofits will share more than $5.4 million in grants supporting housing, food access, health care, education, environmental programs and behavioral-health training for police officers.

Nearly $5 million was awarded through the Rhode Island Foundation’s Community Priority Grant program, which provides program and general operating support. Another $477,000 was awarded through its Capacity Building program to help nonprofits strengthen their operations, infrastructure and technical capabilities.

“This funding is the result of the more than one year of community outreach and research that went into creating a comprehensive framework for addressing the demanding challenges our state faces,” said David N. Cicilline, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.

Cicilline said the grants are intended to help Rhode Islanders facing increasingly difficult choices as the costs of food, housing, health care and other necessities continue to rise.

Among the organizations receiving grants are:

Crisis Intervention Teams of Rhode Island

CIT-RI in Middletown received $65,000 to provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies responding to calls involving people experiencing behavioral-health crises.

Executive Director Caitlin Gomes said de-escalation and diversion to appropriate care can produce better outcomes for police officers, communities and the people in crisis.

“Through CIT programs, we equip officers with the training and tools to recognize these situations, respond safely, build trust and connect individuals with the support and services they need,” Gomes said.

Harbor of Hope

The Pawtucket nonprofit received $30,000 to help address Rhode Island’s shortage of certified nursing assistants.

Through its Zenith CNA Academy, Harbor of Hope provides tuition-free training, certification preparation and job-placement assistance to Rhode Islanders interested in health care careers who may face financial, educational or other barriers.

“By strengthening pathways into health care careers and partnering with local employers and community stakeholders, we help meet critical workforce shortages while improving access to quality care for vulnerable populations,” said founder and CEO Crisolita Brito.

Aquidneck Community Table

Aquidneck Community Table received $65,000 for The Table: A Food + Community Hub, a year-round space in Middletown near the Newport border.

The hub will expand access to fresh, locally grown food while creating economic opportunities for area farmers, fishers, food producers and entrepreneurs. Plans include markets, food distribution, educational programs and wellness activities.

“The Table represents what’s possible when we invest in local food and in one another,” said Executive Director Rose Jones. “This space will better connect people to fresh food, educational opportunities, wellness programming and local food producers and makers.”

Creative Reuse Center of Rhode Island

The Providence organization received $15,000 to bring creativity and sustainability programs to four city elementary schools with limited visual arts, environmental science and civics offerings.

The center collects surplus art supplies and other reusable materials for educational and creative programs. In 2025, it diverted approximately 43,000 pounds of material from landfills.

“Magic happens when students have access to materials that spark their imagination,” Director Elizabeth Ochs said.

Other Community Priority grant recipients include the Housing Hotline in Newport, Rhode Island Latino Arts in Providence, the Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, the Westerly Land Trust and the Rhode Island Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, which includes clubs in East Providence, Pawtucket, Warwick and Woonsocket.

Organizations receiving Capacity Building grants include Amenity Aid in Warwick, Blackstone Valley Community Health Care in Pawtucket, Child and Family Services of Newport County, Climate Action Rhode Island, Galilee Mission in South Kingstown, New Urban Arts in Providence and Rebuild Woonsocket Community Movement.

The Foundation has awarded $18.9 million through the two programs since they were launched in July 2025. This is the third round of grants made under its Five-Year Action Plan.

The plan identifies five priorities: Civic and Cultural Life; Climate Action and Sustainability; Education and Student Success; Healthy and Strong Communities; and Housing and Economic Mobility.

The complete list of grant recipients is available through the Rhode Island Foundation.

PHOTO: Anne Balboni of the Rhode Island Critical Incident Stress Management Team leads a de-escalation and diversion training workshop for Warwick police officers. The workshop is part of the 40-hour CIT Academy offered by Crisis Intervention Teams of Rhode Island, one of the nonprofits sharing $5.4 million in Rhode Island Foundation grants. Photo: Rhode Island Foundation