Washington Trust Charitable Foundation – Charitable Grants
Foundation Grants for 501(c)(3) Organizations in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Southeastern Connecticut
The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation provides grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations within Washington Trust’s market area, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and southeastern Connecticut. Grants support a wide range of community needs, including affordable housing, economic development, youth and family services, health and human services, arts and culture, education, libraries, conservation, and environmental initiatives.
Organization: Washington Trust Charitable Foundation
Support Type: Charitable grants
Geographic Focus: Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and southeastern Connecticut
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About the Funder
Washington Trust supports local communities through charitable giving, sponsorships, volunteerism, financial education, and community partnerships. The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation is one of the bank’s primary vehicles for supporting nonprofit organizations across its market area.
Through the foundation, Washington Trust provides grants to nonprofit organizations working to strengthen communities and improve quality of life throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and southeastern Connecticut.
What This Program Supports
The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation considers grants for a broad range of nonprofit programs and projects, including:
Affordable Housing & Revitalization Programs
Support for organizations and projects that expand access to affordable housing, improve neighborhoods, and revitalize communities.
Business & Economic Development
Programs that strengthen local economies, support business development, or promote community economic opportunity.
Youth & Family Services
Organizations that provide services, enrichment, education, support, and resources for youth and families.
Hospitals, Health & Human Service Organizations
Programs and organizations that address healthcare, social services, basic needs, wellness, and human services.
Museums, Arts & Cultural Organizations
Arts, culture, museum, and heritage organizations that enrich community life and expand access to cultural opportunities.
Colleges, Universities & Libraries
Educational institutions, libraries, and learning-focused organizations serving community needs.
Conservation & Environmental Groups
Organizations working on conservation, environmental protection, sustainability, or related community environmental priorities.
Eligible Support Types
The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation may support:
Charitable grants
Project funding
Capital funding to build or repair facilities
Capital campaigns
Multi-year grants for eligible capital or project-based needs
Support for nonprofit programs serving the foundation’s market area
Eligibility & Preferences
Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations within Washington Trust’s market area, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and southeastern Connecticut.
Strong-fit requests are likely to:
Serve communities within Washington Trust’s market area
Align with one or more of the foundation’s charitable funding areas
Demonstrate clear community benefit
Address a defined community need
Support a specific project, program, capital improvement, or capital campaign
Show strong organizational capacity and local impact
Multi-year grants are often considered for capital funding, capital campaigns, or specific projects.
Ineligible Requests
The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation does not publish a detailed list of ineligible requests on the charitable giving page. Organizations should ensure they have 501(c)(3) status, operate within the foundation’s market area, and align with the foundation’s stated charitable giving priorities.
Funding Amounts
Charitable grants range widely in size. The foundation may consider multi-year support for capital funding, capital campaigns, or specific projects.
Timeline & Review
📅 Application Opens: Early August 2026
📅 Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
📅 Annual Review: December 2026
📅 Grant Decisions Communicated: January 2027
Proposals for the next round of funding will begin being accepted in early August 2026. Proposals must be submitted by October 1 for annual review in December, with grant decisions communicated in January.
Application / Request Process
Organizations should submit proposals during the open application period beginning in early August 2026. The deadline for the annual review cycle is October 1.
For more information, applicants may contact Dennis Algiere, Executive Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Community Affairs.
Apply / Learn More:
➡️ Washington Trust Charitable Giving
Contact:
➡️ Washington Trust Community Support
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity is a strong fit for nonprofit organizations that:
Have 501(c)(3) status
Serve Rhode Island, Massachusetts, or southeastern Connecticut
Work in affordable housing, community revitalization, economic development, youth and family services, healthcare, human services, arts, culture, education, libraries, conservation, or the environment
Need support for a specific project, capital need, capital campaign, or community program
Can apply during the August–October 2026 proposal window
The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation is best suited for established nonprofit organizations with strong local impact in Washington Trust’s regional market area.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Review Type: Annual foundation grant review
Typical Lead Time: Proposals accepted beginning in early August; due October 1, 2026; decisions communicated in January 2027
Best Suited For: 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and southeastern Connecticut
Support Type: Charitable grants, capital funding, capital campaign support, and project funding
