Each year, after a careful investigative and evaluative process, we select two or more non-profits (we call them Investees) for our grant awards of money and time. The winning proposals qualify to receive a $5,000 business planning grant and support for their business plan development through a partner engagement team.

SVPRI Investees are tax exempt, charitable, not-for-profit organizations who have launched or are interested in launching social enterprises - related business ventures that provide new revenue streams to the nonprofit and some form of "double bottom line impact", such as workforce development, environmental clean-up, or more broadly speaking, economic development.

SVPRI supports organizations that:

• Are addressing a critical social problem and demonstrating an innovative approach to accomplishing change.
• Are seeking to launch, expand or replicate an innovative program.
• Have the ability to make use of and interact with SVP's volunteer and professional resources.
• Have a long-term perspective on their organization's impact.
• Are willing to evaluate their programs and measure their outcomes.
• Are community oriented and collaborative, involving volunteers and other organizations and coordinating their services with others serving the same or similar populations.

Funding Priorities

SVPRI makes initial investments (typically $5,000 business planning grants) with the intent of establishing long-term relationships with its investees. At the end of the first year of funding, the relationship with each Investee is reviewed and evaluated for ongoing financial and volunteer support. Our goal is to work with each Investee to develop and refine their business plan such that they can apply to us for investment capital (recoverable grants or low-interest loans).

Over the past 5 years we have worked with eight different Investees, contributing significant cash and in-kind services. We take a long-term perspective, and our relationship with Investees typically spans 2-3 years.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Applicants must be classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity, operating in the State of Rhode Island. SVPRI will not consider grant requests from individuals, public schools or school districts, religious organizations for sectarian purposes, pure sports teams, or any organization that discriminates on the basis of race, sexual orientation, gender, age, marital status, national origin, or physical ability.