Emma G. Harris Foundation

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OVERVIEW: The Emma G. Harris Foundation supports education and vocational training nonprofits in the state of Rhode Island.

FUNDING AREAS: Education, youth, vocational training

IP TAKE: This funder prioritizes high school job training programs in Rhode Island.

PROFILE: Established in 1922, the Emma G. Harris Foundation is a private foundation that is focused on Rhode Island. Harris wished for this foundation to support organizations that provide training programs for students. This foundation is managed by Bank of America’s Rhode Island office. Grantmaking includes education, vocational training, and youth.

This funder is dedicated to assisting community-based groups that provide job skills training and vocational instruction. Rather than funding general education causes, the Harris Foundation prioritizes specific job training programs and ESL/ESOL programs. It looks to fund established courses rather than newly launched ones. The foundation has a strong focus on youth, rather than adults or people who are already employed, with its job training mission. However, it does not support capital projects, start-up programs, or programs that are geared towards students who are in middle school or younger. Past local support has gone to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Youth in Action and Saint Mary’s Home for Children.

Foundation grants are often between $10,000 and $25,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its Foundation Center grant history. Grantmaking is focused on the state of Rhode Island, with many grants going to organizations in the Providence, Newport, and Fall River areas. A majority of grants are for one-year periods.

This foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry from nonprofits. After the LOI process, select applications are invited to submit a full application. The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education certifies that LOI applicants meet the foundation’s requirements. The annual application deadline for LOIs is June 1, and the full application deadline is August 1. Applicants can expect to hear back with a funding decision by December 31 of the application year. Grantseekers must use the Bank of America online system to apply for a grant. Direct general questions to the staff at ma.ri.grantmaking@ustrust.com or 866-778-6859.

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