Ocean State Charities Trust Awards

Ocean State Charities Trust is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents of Rhode Island. The Trust provides financial assistance to qualified charitable organizations operating within the state, with a focus on supporting initiatives that promote social welfare, improve access to essential services, and strengthen community infrastructure. Its mission centers on addressing priority needs within Rhode Island communities through targeted grantmaking across a defined set of focus areas. The grant program supports a range of project types aligned with the Trust’s focus areas, including arts and arts education, education and youth programs, workforce development, housing and historic preservation, healthcare and behavioral health, safety net services, senior services, and miscellaneous community projects. Funding is intended for programmatic activities that directly benefit Rhode Islanders. However, the Trust explicitly restricts the use of funds for general operating expenses, personnel costs, deficit reduction, loans, endowment contributions, or regranting to other organizations. Awarded funds must be expended within one year of the funding date, and any unused or misapplied funds must be returned. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations that are recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicants must be legally established entities operating within Rhode Island and must have been in continuous operation for at least two years prior to applying. Private foundations and individuals are not eligible. Organizations must demonstrate that their activities directly serve Rhode Island residents, and regional programs must include measurable outcomes specific to the state. Additionally, applicants must provide proof of their tax-exempt status and submit financial documentation prepared by an independent accounting firm or certified public accountant. The application process is conducted entirely online, and applicants must complete and submit their materials within designated submission windows. Required application components include organizational financial documentation such as an audit report, financial review, compilation, or IRS Form 990 from the most recent fiscal year. These documents must be prepared by an independent external accounting entity. Applicants are instructed not to contact members of the Board of Trustees directly, as doing so results in automatic disqualification to ensure fairness in the review process. The Trust operates on a biannual funding cycle, with grant awards considered in May and November. Applications for the May cycle must be completed by March 1, with the submission window opening on February 1. Applications for the November cycle must be completed by September 1, with submissions accepted beginning August 1. Applications submitted after these deadlines are deferred to the next cycle without exception. Applicants are notified via email if their submission is incomplete or requires additional documentation. Grant recipients are required to complete a Grant Evaluation Report six months after receiving funding. This report must include a completed evaluation form, an itemized accounting of expenditures, and supporting documentation such as paid invoices. Organizations that receive funding are not eligible to reapply for a period of eighteen months following their award. The Trust evaluates applications based on alignment with community needs, adherence to eligibility requirements, and the availability of funds, ensuring that selected projects deliver measurable benefits to Rhode Island communities.

Ensure all required financial documents are prepared by an independent CPA; do not contact trustees directly; align proposal with Rhode Island community needs