The Champlin Foundation

The Champlin Foundation is a US private foundation based in Pittsburgh, PA.

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Champlin Foundation funds capital needs of Rhode Island nonprofits, supporting equipment and facilities to strengthen charities for the long term; it does not fund programming or general operations. Its stated fields span arts and culture, conservation and parks, education, healthcare, historic preservation and heritage, libraries, social services, youth services, and animal welfare. Grants support equipment, construction, renovation and real estate projects. It also awards campership grants to selected organisations providing financial assistance for children who might otherwise be unable to afford summer camp. The Foundation favours applicants established for at least three years and considers mission alignment, equity and inclusion, track record, organisational capacity, leverage of other funding and project feasibility. Its purpose is helping charities serve Rhode Island and its people.

Themes

• Arts and culture
• Education
• Healthcare
• Historic preservation
• Libraries
• Social services
• Youth services

Geographic Focus

Rhode Island.

What They Don't Fund

• Advocacy Groups
• Capital Campaign Feasibility Studies
• Daycare Centers, Preschools & Elementary Schools
• Dog Parks
• Endowments
• Grants to Individuals
• Housing Authorities, Permanent Housing, Assisted Living Facilities, and Group Homes
• New Construction or Expansion of Transitional Housing
• Master Plans & Studies
• Memorials & Statues
• Municipal Animal Shelters, Fire and/or Police Departments, and Playgrounds
• Municipal Departments
• Municipal Parks (however, a separate 501c3 Friends organization may apply)
• Municipal Senior Centers
• Operating Expenses
• Programming Expenses
• Signage
• Software Licenses
• Solar Panels & Windmills
• Stained Glass Windows
• Volunteer Fire/Rescue or Ambulance Companies
• Grantmaking Organizations
• House of Worship Policy only: interior repairs or improvements including but not limited to fire safety upgrades, handicap accessibility issues, or other building mechanicals
• Public secondary education only: any school with a prior grant that remains open; multiple unrelated components or general needs

Organisations apply through the Foundation’s web-based grant portal after reading its guidelines and policies.

Deadlines:

• Capital Requests - Cycle One applications open December 15 and close January 15.
• Capital Requests - Cycle Two applications open June 1 and close July 1.
• Campership applications open September 1 and close October 15.
• Challenge-grant applicants contact the Foundation in October to discuss their plans.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 67% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
• Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 609 grants to organisations were about $48,500 or less.

What the foundation says:

• The applicant’s stated mission should align directly with a Champlin focus area, and the project should fit that mission.
• The Foundation considers board and staff makeup, the community served, and the organisation’s work with historically under-resourced communities.
• A strong track record includes successful completion of previous supported projects, relevant project experience and the skills to deliver the work.
• The Foundation considers transparency, organisational capacity, strong leadership and an engaged, supportive board.
• Where applicable, the Foundation considers matching support, other planned or pending requests, and whether equipment could reduce ongoing operating costs.
• Project costs should be reasonable and supported by current estimates, with a realistic timeline and sound project plans.
• House of worship applications are strengthened by evidence of community integration and meaningful outreach beyond the congregation’s general mission work.
• Public-school requests are preferred from schools serving the highest percentage of economically disadvantaged students.
• Site visits may be part of review but do not indicate whether a request will be funded or denied.
• Grantees must report accurately and on time on expenditure, with annual reports until the grant is fully expended.