The Trust Agreement establishing the Trust in 1981 mandates that the money and income received thereon be distributed for the charitable purpose of promoting social welfare in Rhode Island by aiding or assisting its citizens in the areas of housing, health, education, and welfare. Ocean State Charities Trust assists agencies and organizations within the state of Rhode Island to enhance the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders.
Focus Areas
Arts/Arts EducationEducation/Youth ProgramsEmployment/Workforce DevelopmentHousingHistoric PreservationHealthcare/Behavioral HealthSafety NetServices/Programs for SeniorsSpecial Projects
Who They Fund
Rhode Island residents (place-based)low-income individuals and families
About Ocean State Charities Trust
Ocean State Charities Trust’s largest recent grants went to the State of Rhode Island in Providence: $410,611 in 2023 and $365,673 in 2024. Those awards point to a funder that works at state scale while staying tightly focused on Rhode Island social welfare. The Trust Agreement, established in 1981, directs the trust’s money and income toward charitable purposes that promote social welfare in Rhode Island by aiding or assisting citizens in housing, health, education, and welfare.
That mandate shows up across its general grantmaking and related programs. The trust supports qualified nonprofits and public charities operating in Rhode Island, with awards tied to projects that enhance quality of life for Rhode Islanders. Its program list also includes an Endowment Incubator offering, which suggests attention not only to immediate service needs but also to long-term organizational sustainability. The trust’s beneficiaries include Rhode Island residents, low-income individuals and families, and vulnerable populations such as children, elderly people, and disabled people. In practice, its grantmaking is place-based and rooted in direct service for in-state communities.
What Ocean State Charities Trust Funds
Housing is a core theme in the trust’s grantmaking. Among its active programs, general grants can support housing and historic preservation, and its stated charitable purpose includes aiding citizens in housing. The focus on housing stability connects with its place-based mission for Rhode Islanders.
Education is another recurring area. The Trust’s general grants include education and youth programs, and the trust also lists education among the categories in its founding purpose. That combination points to support for both school-age and broader educational work.
Health and welfare are equally central. The trust’s mandate names health and welfare, and its focus areas include healthcare and behavioral health, safety net services, and programs for seniors. It also supports employment and workforce development, showing a broader interest in household stability alongside direct services.
How Ocean State Charities Trust Gives
Ocean State Charities Trust’s recent awards are high in dollar value relative to its smaller grant programs: the reported typical grant size sits at a p25 of $376,908, median of $388,142, and p75 of $399,376. The trust also runs separate competitive grant cycles with awards up to $20,000, so its giving includes both large pass-through style grants and smaller project support.
The pattern is recurring rather than one-off. General grant awards are reviewed twice yearly, and the Trust also lists a November funding cycle. It is organized as a public charity and accepts unsolicited applications through its general grant and semi-annual funding cycle processes. The Endowment Incubator offerings show a parallel emphasis on nonprofit financial stability, alongside grantmaking.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$253K
Total Assets
$5.3M
Total Revenue
$331K
Total Expenses
$512K
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $377K and $399K, with a median of $388K.
25th Percentile
$377K
Median
$388K
75th Percentile
$399K
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Deep Analysis
Unlock Deep Analysis
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
housing stability and affordable housingprimary and community healthcare accessK-12 and adult education supportincome support and social welfare servicescommunity-based service provision and capacity
Where Ocean State Charities Trust Makes Grants
Ocean State Charities Trust gives entirely within Rhode Island: 100% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, which is also the top state by grant count. The recent large awards went to Providence-based grantees, including the State of Rhode Island. Its active programs are also restricted to Rhode Island, with some guidelines allowing statewide or regional programs only when they have measurable in-state activity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ocean State Charities Trust
What areas does Ocean State Charities Trust fund?
Its stated purpose and active programs point to housing, health, education, and welfare, along with arts/arts education, education/youth programs, workforce development, historic preservation, healthcare/behavioral health, safety net services, programs for seniors, and special projects.
How large are Ocean State Charities Trust grants?
The reported typical grant size is large, with p25 at $376,908, median at $388,142, and p75 at $399,376. The trust also runs grant programs with awards from $0 to $20,000.
Does Ocean State Charities Trust fund outside Rhode Island?
No. The grant record shows 100% of grants going to recipients in Rhode Island, and its active grant programs are listed for Rhode Island only.
Can organizations apply directly to Ocean State Charities Trust?
Yes. The trust’s general grant and semi-annual funding cycle both accept unsolicited applications, including a November cycle with a September 1 submission deadline for consideration.
Does Ocean State Charities Trust offer support beyond operating grants?
Yes. In addition to general grants, it offers Endowment Incubator programs that help Rhode Island nonprofit organizations establish and grow endowment funds and build long-term financial sustainability.
Latest 990 Filing
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Ocean State Charities Trust that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses in 19 days (Sep 1, 2026)Award: Up to $20K
General Grant Awards (twice-yearly)
Arts/Arts EducationEducation/Youth ProgramsEmployment/Workforce Development+7 more
Who can apply: Must be a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (not a private foundation or individual), in operation for at least two consecutive years, legally located and actively engaged in charitable activities in Rhode Island. Organizations that have received funding must wait 18 months before reapplying. The Trust will not fund endowments, loans, grants to reduce prior-year deficits, re-distribution to other charities, regular operating expenses, or personnel costs. Applicants must upload most recent audit/review/compilation or Form 990 (completed by independent accounting agency/CPA, no more than 18 months old).
Deadline: Two annual application cycles: Cycle One (for May funding) accepted February 1 through March 1; Cycle Two (for November funding) accepted August 1 through September 1. Applications received after the posted cycle close will be considered in the next cycle.
Open nowCloses in 19 days (Sep 1, 2026)Award: Up to $20K
General Grant Awards (Ocean State Charities Trust Grants)
Arts/Arts EducationEducation/Youth ProgramsEmployment/Workforce Development+7 more
Who can apply: Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity (not a private foundation), incorporated and located in Rhode Island, operating for at least two consecutive years prior to application, actively engaged in charitable activities in RI. Organizations that have received funding may not submit a new application for 18 months. The Trust does not fund regular operating expenses or personnel costs and will not make grants to add to endowments, make loans, reduce prior year deficits, or redistribute funds to other charities. Audit/review/compilation or Form 990 (no more than 18 months old) must be uploaded; OSCT will verify 501(c)(3) status online and may request IRS determination letter if it cannot be verified.
Deadline: Two funding cycles per year. Cycle One: applications accepted February 1 through March 1 (for May funding). Cycle Two: applications accepted August 1 through September 1 (for November funding).
Who can apply: Challenge grants are provided to eligible agencies as determined by Trustees. Subject to general OSCT grant guidelines (501(c)(3), in operation two years, cannot fund salaries/regular operating expenses if restricted). Challenge grants must be met by fundraising from multiple donors within the Trust's normal time frame for a grant.
Deadline: Challenge grants follow the Trust's regular grant cycles (applications: Feb 1–Mar 1 and Aug 1–Sep 1). Specific challenge grant timeframes are set when the Trustees issue a challenge.
Open nowCloses in 19 days (Sep 1, 2026)Award: Up to $20K
Semi‑Annual Funding Cycle — November (November Funding Deadline)
All focus areas eligible under the Trust's general grant guidelines (housing, education, healthcare, welfare, etc.)
Who can apply: Same as the General Grant Program: 501(c)(3) public charity, incorporated in RI, in operation for two consecutive years, not a private foundation or individual; financial documentation requirements apply.
Deadline: Submission deadline for November cycle: applications must be received by the Executive Director by September 1 for consideration in November. (Site text references September 1 cutoff and also clarifies the Trust's two annual cycles.)
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
