BankNewport Charitable Giving
Having been steeped in the community for over two centuries, our commitment goes beyond banking. Being your community bank means giving back. It means understanding what community needs are and identifying ways we can help.
In Your Community
BankNewport demonstrates an ongoing commitment to having a positive impact in the communities we serve. Over the past ten years, we've awarded over $12 million to a wide range of nonprofits to help strengthen and enrich lives.
2025 Charitable Giving
Pathways to Community Support
We believe it's imperative that our charitable funds be designated to support those most in need. Grants and Contributions are both sources of funding, but they serve different purposes and have distinct requirements and expectations.
Grants
The BankNewport Charitable Foundation considers grant requests of $5,000 and over. Our Foundation was established in 2023 as an extension of BankNewport’s commitment to the Rhode Island communities the bank and its employees have served since 1819. Through our Foundation we support the work of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on arts and culture, basic human needs, education success and healthy lives, thriving communities.
Foundation grants will be considered for projects and programs, including those with a special focus on human services and community development initiatives that serve low to moderate income individuals and communities.
Contributions
Contributions are donations and support extended to nonprofit organizations. Unlike grants, contributions may be smaller in scale and are typically intended to assist with specific activities, such as annual fundraisers, community concerts and festivals, youth programming, and more. BankNewport considers requests of contributions up to $5,000.
Application Dates
| GRANT APPLICATION WINDOW | DEADLINE | REVIEW | DECISION COMMUNICATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| DECEMBER 15 through FEBRUARY 1 | FEBRUARY 1 | MARCH | LATE APRIL |
| JUNE 15 through AUGUST 1 | AUGUST 1 | SEPTEMBER | LATE OCTOBER |
| CONTRIBUTIONS APPLICATION WINDOW | DEADLINE | REVIEW | DECISION COMMUNICATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| DECEMBER 15 through FEBRUARY 1 | FEBRUARY 1 | FEBRUARY | EARLY MARCH |
| MARCH 15 though MAY 1 | MAY 1 | MAY | EARLY JUNE |
| JUNE 15 through AUGUST 1 | AUGUST 1 | AUGUST | EARLY SEPTEMBER |
| SEPTEMBER 15 through NOVEMBER 1 | NOVEMBER 1 | NOVEMBER | EARLY DECEMBER |
Your Bankers Giving Back
We believe that meaningful change starts with collaboration and we’re here to help you strengthen our communities together. Our Employee Volunteer Program and BNWise Financial Education Program continues to meet the community's needs through service.
The people and organizations that make our community strong are at the heart of all our philanthropic banking and service efforts. We take pride in volunteering in meaningful ways, whether it's stocking shelves at a local food pantry, delivering critical financial literacy skills to students and community members, or greeting attendees of local community events.
Request a Service Project
Let us know what kind of project could help your nonprofit, school, or civic group and we’ll see how we can try to help! Email to request: volunteer@banknewport.com
Request a BNWise Workshop
If your nonprofit, school, or civic group could benefit from financial education, let's see how we can work together! Email to request: bnwise@banknewport.com
Community Impact Stories & News
BankNewport Charitable Foundation Awards More Than $470,000 in Spring 2026 Grants
BankNewport Awards Over $480,000 in Fall 2025 Charitable Foundation and Proactive Grants
BankNewport Charitable Foundation $50,000 Grant to Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation
