The Trust Agreement establishing the Trust in 1981 mandates that the money and income received thereon be distributed for the charitable purpose of “promoting social welfare in Rhode Island” by aiding or assisting its citizens in the areas of housing, health, education, and welfare.

The grant-making policies of the Trust specify that grantees must be qualified under Section 501(c)(3) as a public charity, be incorporated in Rhode Island, be in operation for two consecutive years before applying, and follow detailed application and review process. The Trust considers applications for grants on a semi-annual basis, generally in May and November of each year. In the absence of exceptional circumstances, the Trust will not make grants to organizations to fund a program purpose for which the Trust has previously made a grant award within the past eighteen months.