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The Champlin Foundation

Annual Giving
$19.6M
Grant Range
$8K - $0.4M
Decision Time
5mo

The Champlin Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $19,600,000 (2025)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 5-6 months per cycle
  • Grant Range: $8,000 - $400,000 (most under $100,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Rhode Island only (or strong Rhode Island nexus)
  • Application Method: Fixed deadlines, two cycles annually for capital grants

Contact Details

Address: 2000 Chapel View Boulevard, Suite 350, Cranston, Rhode Island 02920

Phone: 401-944-9200

Email: office@champlinfoundation.org

Website: https://champlinfoundation.org/

Key Staff:

Overview

The Champlin Foundation, established in 1932, is the largest private foundation in Rhode Island. Since its founding, the foundation has awarded over $705 million to fund capital projects for Rhode Island nonprofit organizations. With annual giving of approximately $19.6 million distributed across nearly 200 nonprofits, the foundation describes its mission as funding "the capital needs of Rhode Island nonprofits"—often focusing on infrastructure that is "mission critical but often invisible." The foundation's guiding principle comes from founder George Champlin and his sisters, who charged future leaders with "bring[ing] help to the helpless and hope to the hopeless" and helping "people to help themselves." Executive Director Nina Stack, who joined in 2018, has emphasized the foundation's commitment to constancy, equity, and community engagement, stating that the foundation seeks "to work in relationship with Rhode Island's nonprofits, acting as a convener, a coach, and a facilitator for collective success and engagement."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Capital Grants (Two Annual Cycles):

  • Traditional Capital Requests: $8,000 - $400,000 (most grants under $100,000)
  • Supports equipment purchases, tangible property, construction, renovations, and real estate acquisition
  • Limited debt reduction funding available for building-related projects only
  • Applications accepted twice annually through online portal (Cycle One: December 15 - January 15; Cycle Two: June 1 - July 1)
  • Houses of Worship and Traditional Public Schools may only apply during Cycle Two

Challenge Grants (Matching Grants):

  • Available to organizations with existing foundation relationships
  • Minimum total project cost of $500,000
  • Must be part of a capital campaign

Camperships (Summer Camp Financial Assistance):

  • Separate application cycle (September 1 - October 15)
  • Camps must be accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA) or similar rigorous organization

Priority Areas

The Champlin Foundation funds capital projects across nine focus areas:

  1. Arts & Culture: Capital projects supporting cultural institutions and arts organizations
  2. Conservation & Parks: Trusts and conservancies maintaining Rhode Island's parks and open spaces; strong support for Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Nature Conservancy
  3. Education: Organizations providing equitable access to experience and learning, both in and out of the classroom; includes independent and charter schools
  4. Healthcare: Capital projects for healthcare facilities and medical organizations
  5. Historic Preservation & Heritage: Buildings and structures of historic and architectural significance
  6. Libraries: One of Rhode Island's most significant supporters of library capital projects statewide
  7. Social Services: Capital needs for organizations serving vulnerable populations
  8. Youth Services: Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, summer camps, career and leadership development organizations
  9. Welfare of Animals: Capital projects supporting animal welfare organizations

The foundation is committed to "intentionally and strategically advancing equity in its grantmaking" and brings "a deliberate equity and inclusion lens to grantmaking across its nine areas of focus."

What They Don't Fund

Explicitly Excluded:

  • Advocacy groups or lobbying organizations
  • Daycare or preschool facilities
  • Endowments
  • Individual grants or scholarships
  • Municipal government departments
  • Operating expenses or programming costs (capital only)
  • Solar panel installations
  • Grantmaking organizations
  • Organizations outside Rhode Island (unless strong Rhode Island nexus)

Additional Restrictions:

  • Organizations must have had 501(c)(3) status for at least 3 years (or provided programming through fiscal sponsor for 3+ years)
  • Houses of Worship: Only historic preservation of sanctuary exteriors; must demonstrate community integration beyond congregational use
  • Camps: Must have ACA accreditation or equivalent

Governance and Leadership

The Champlin Foundation operates under a unique governance structure designed to ensure community perspective in grant-making decisions.

Corporate Trustee: PNC Bank NA

Distribution Committee: 11 members who meet throughout the year and work closely with Executive Staff in evaluation:

  • 5 members appointed by the Committee
  • 3 members appointed by the Trustee
  • 1 appointed by the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
  • 1 appointed by the Chief Judge of the U.S. Federal Court, District of Rhode Island
  • 1 appointed by the President of Brown University

Committee Leadership:

  • Dione D. Kenyon, Chair
  • Honorable Edward C. Clifton, Vice Chair

Executive Leadership:

  • Nina Stack, Executive Director (appointed April 2018)

Key Staff:

  • Heather Fraser, Grants & Systems Manager
  • Anthony Faccenda, Grants & Education Manager
  • Laurie Devlin, Finance & Operations Manager

Nina Stack on the Foundation's Values: "A core value for The Champlin Foundation is constancy. We recognize that for any business environment to thrive—whether nonprofit or commercial—it relies on consistency from its investors." Stack has also emphasized: "I do look forward to being out in the community a lot. That is where the important work is happening," and affirmed that "the foundation will not be changing its commitment to providing capital support."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Champlin Foundation uses a web-based grant application system hosted by Foundant Technologies. Before applying:

  1. Review Requirements: Read application questions, written guidelines, and funding policies
  2. Access Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=champlin
  3. Preview Application: Use the Preview button to view questions; PDF available for printing
  4. Submit During Open Cycle: Applications accepted only during specific windows

The foundation provides video tutorials and written resources to guide applicants through the process.

Important: Do not feel compelled to fill character limits in application responses. The foundation advises organizations to "provide thorough, compelling, and concise explanations appropriate to their situation."

Decision Timeline

Cycle One (Traditional Capital Requests):

  • Portal Open: December 15 - January 15
  • Committee Decision: Late May
  • Notification: Early June
  • Fund Distribution: Mid-June
  • Total Timeline: ~5 months from deadline to notification

Cycle Two (Capital Requests - Required for Houses of Worship & Public Schools):

  • Portal Open: June 1 - July 1
  • Committee Decision: Mid-November
  • Notification: End of November
  • Fund Distribution: Mid-December
  • Total Timeline: ~5 months from deadline to notification

Cycle Three (Camperships):

  • Portal Open: September 1 - October 15
  • Review: November - December
  • Notification: End of December
  • Fund Distribution: Mid-January
  • Total Timeline: ~2.5 months from deadline to notification

During Review Process: Applicants may be contacted at any time to provide additional documentation, answer questions, or schedule a site visit.

For Unsuccessful Applicants: Written notification provided anytime from one week to eight months from receipt of application.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose success rates or application statistics. However, recent grant cycles show:

  • 2025 total distribution: $19.6 million across 188 nonprofits (combined cycles)
  • Cycle Two 2025: 98 organizations received funding
  • 2019: 198 grants totaling $18 million

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Organizations can review their request history through the online portal, suggesting reapplication is possible. For guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt, contact the Grants & Systems Manager directly.

Application Success Factors

What The Champlin Foundation Looks For:

  1. Equity and Inclusion Commitment: The foundation considers "the makeup of the Board and Staff, the demographics of the community served, and how the organization considers its work with and for historically under resourced communities." Applications should demonstrate genuine commitment to serving diverse populations.

  2. Track Record of Success:

    • Previous projects supported by Champlin that were successfully completed as anticipated
    • Prior experience with capital projects or similar undertakings
    • Staff, board, and/or consultants with required skills and experience to execute the project

  3. Organizational Capacity:

    • Commitment to transparency
    • Willingness to share management structure, approaches to diversity and inclusion, and finances
    • Demonstrated program effectiveness

  4. Project Feasibility:

    • Reasonable and well-documented project costs
    • Leverage of other funding sources
    • Clear alignment with one or more of the foundation's nine focus areas

  5. Mission Alignment: Capital projects that directly support the organization's mission and expand capacity to serve Rhode Island communities

For Houses of Worship Specifically: Applications are strengthened by demonstrating:

  • How the congregation is integrated within its community, serving as an essential hub for diverse events and activities
  • Commitment to meaningful community outreach through facility use beyond general mission work
  • Active fostering of connections that benefit the wider public

Recent Example Grants:

  • $250,000 to Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale for building renovation
  • $395,000 to Pawtucket Public Library for exterior repointing work
  • $120,000 to Ocean Community YMCA for boiler replacements
  • $30,849 to Warwick Public Library Conimicut Branch for exterior needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Capital Only: The Champlin Foundation exclusively funds capital projects—never operating expenses or programming. Ensure your request clearly fits this requirement.

  • Rhode Island Focus: Geographic restriction is absolute. Only Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3)s or organizations with a very strong Rhode Island nexus qualify.

  • Equity Matters: The foundation actively evaluates equity and inclusion across all applications. Clearly articulate your organization's commitment to serving historically under-resourced communities.

  • Choose Your Cycle: Pay attention to cycle restrictions. Houses of Worship and Traditional Public Schools can only apply during Cycle Two (June 1 - July 1).

  • Track Record Counts: Previous successful completion of Champlin grants (if applicable) or demonstrated capital project experience strengthens applications significantly.

  • Plan Ahead: With 5-month decision timelines, factor this into your project planning. Submit during the cycle that aligns with your project timeline.

  • Relationship-Based Approach: Executive Director Nina Stack emphasizes community engagement and relationship building. The foundation values "listening and learning, especially with those organizations serving marginalized communities." Consider connecting before applying if you're a first-time applicant.

  • Constancy is Key: The foundation values being a consistent, reliable partner. Demonstrate how Champlin funding fits into a sustainable capital improvement plan rather than one-off needs.

References

  1. The Champlin Foundation Official Website - Home. https://champlinfoundation.org/ (Accessed December 2025)

  2. The Champlin Foundation - What We Fund. https://champlinfoundation.org/what-we-fund/ (Accessed December 2025)

  3. The Champlin Foundation - About. https://champlinfoundation.org/about/ (Accessed December 2025)

  4. The Champlin Foundation - Apply. https://champlinfoundation.org/apply/ (Accessed December 2025)

  5. The Champlin Foundation - Application Process. https://champlinfoundation.org/application-process/ (Accessed December 2025)

  6. The Champlin Foundation - Frequently Asked Questions. https://champlinfoundation.org/frequently-asked-questions/ (Accessed December 2025)

  7. "Five Questions With Nina Stack." The Champlin Foundation. https://champlinfoundation.org/five-questions-with-nina-stack/ (Accessed December 2025)

  8. "5Q: Nina Stack, The Champlin Foundation executive director." Providence Business News. https://pbn.com/5q-nina-stack-the-champlin-foundation-executive-director/ (Accessed December 2025)

  9. "Champlin Foundation Awards $18M in Grants to Local Rhode Island Organizations." The Champlin Foundation. https://champlinfoundation.org/champlin-foundation-awards-18m-in-grants-to-local-rhode-island-organizations/ (Accessed December 2025)

  10. "$7.9 Million in Grants Impacts 78 Nonprofits Statewide." The Champlin Foundation. https://champlinfoundation.org/7-9-million-in-grants-impacts-78-nonprofits-statewide/ (Accessed December 2025)

  11. "The Champlin Foundation." Inside Philanthropy. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/rhode-island-grants/the-champlin-foundation (Accessed December 2025)

  12. "Champlin Foundations Award $22 Million to Rhode Island Organizations." Philanthropy News Digest. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/champlin-foundations-award-22-million-to-rhode-island-organizations (Accessed December 2025)

  13. "Champlin Foundations - Wikipedia." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champlin_Foundations (Accessed December 2025)

  14. "Champlin offers consistency for nonprofits." Johnston Sun Rise. https://johnstonsunrise.net/stories/champlin-offers-consistency-for-nonprofits,295269 (Accessed December 2025)

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