The John Clarke Trust Fund

The John Clarke Trust is a historic charitable foundation based in Rhode Island, originating from the 1676 will of Dr. John Clarke, a Baptist minister, physician, and one of the original settlers of Aquidneck Island. Clarke played a pivotal role in the early development of Rhode Island, authoring the Royal Charter of 1663 that secured the colony's independence and governance. With no surviving children, he dedicated his estate to a perpetual trust, ensuring ongoing support for charitable purposes focused on education and care for the poor, with a particular emphasis on individuals who "fear the Lord." The Trust continues to honor Clarke’s philanthropic vision by funding initiatives in education, human services, and religion-related programming. It prioritizes support for organizations based on Aquidneck Island and within Rhode Island's East Bay area but remains open to applications from any Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit. However, requests for capital projects are only considered from Aquidneck Island applicants. The Trust maintains a broad scope with no explicitly stated prohibitions, enabling applicants to propose a wide variety of programmatic or operational activities that align with the funder’s core mission. Grant proposals must be submitted through Bank of America’s Philanthropic Solutions platform, which manages the Trust's application process. All applications are now accepted online through the dedicated portal at www.bankofamerica.com/grantmaking. Applicants must adhere strictly to the prescribed deadline dates of April 1 and November 1 each year. Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date; if a deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. The review process involves preliminary eligibility checks, followed by a comprehensive evaluation by Bank of America's philanthropic officers and the Trust’s designated trustees. Grant decisions are typically communicated within two to three months of the application deadline, with decision notifications sent via formal letter. Decisions for April submissions are announced by June 30, while November submissions receive decisions by January 30 of the following year. Applicants are encouraged to begin the application process early and to contact Bank of America’s grantmaking team with any questions prior to submission. Technical support is only available during business hours, Monday through Friday, and not on weekends. Post-award, grantees are required to submit a grant report within one year of the award date, regardless of whether the full funding has been expended. Failure to comply with reporting requirements will result in ineligibility for future grants. The John Clarke Trust issues grants on a biannual basis and is managed by Emma Greene, Managing Director of Philanthropic Client Services at Bank of America. All inquiries and grant-related correspondence should be directed to ma.ri.grantmaking@bofa.com or by phone at 1.866.778.6859.

Start early and submit ahead of the deadline; technical support is not available on weekends; ensure all documents are correct and complete; contact staff in advance for clarifications.