How to Join GCRI

Our members are the center of everything we do. The field of philanthropy is full of creative, passionate professionals who are working to support strong organizations and communities and make Rhode Island a thriving and equitable place to live and work. Come find your people!

Eligibility

GCRI membership is open to public, private, family, and corporate foundations, corporate giving programs, federated funds, and governmental grantmaking agencies.

Applicant organizations who raise funds as well as make grants must agree not to use GCRI’s programs or activities to solicit funding.

Dues

At this time, members are invited to select the membership level that is most appropriate based on your giving levels in Rhode Island and the leadership role you provide in the philanthropic community. GCRI’s budget is primarily dependent on member dues, so we encourage you to make an investment in the health and sustainability of GCRI with your dues selection!

GCRI completed a new strategic and business plan in 2025 to ensure the organization will continue to serve the sector in a robust way into the future. Based on this plan, the dues framework is being restructured and updated to create dues levels that more closely align with our members’ grantmaking budgets in Rhode Island.

The new dues structure will be rolled out in 2027 to take effect in 2028. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch with us (info@grantmakersri.org) if you have questions or would like to discuss your dues level.

Membership in GCRI is calculated on a calendar year basis:

• Champions: $3,500 per year
• Leadership Members: $2,500 per year
• Supporting Members: $1,500 per year
• Members: $500 per year

Membership Benefits

GCRI members receive both local and national benefits through statewide programs and support, as well as GCRI’s membership in United Philanthropy Forum.

Networking, community-building, & learning

• Learning & Professional Development: We provide between 8-12 learning opportunities annually for members. Examples include peer learning events, key issue forums, skill-building workshops, and webinars. These opportunities are available to members for free or reduced cost.
• Annual Meeting: Members receive discounted registration to GCRI’s Annual Meeting in the fall.
• Peer Networking: Every learning event we host is also an opportunity for networking among peers. In addition, we host a standing monthly networking coffee meet-up where professionals who work in the field of philanthropy and grantmaking can connect and share current challenges and successes. Through closer connections to one another, our members identify opportunities to partner with one another and leverage their resources.
• National Connections: Our members are connected to a national network of funding organizations through our membership in the United Philanthropy Forum (60 regional and national philanthropy serving organizations, representing 7,000 members). Through GCRI, you have access to resources and connections in philanthropy throughout the country.
• Communications: Members receive a monthly newsletter plus regular curated announcements of events and learning opportunities.
• Increased Visibility: We regularly share member highlights, news, programs, and grantmaking through our member newsletter, website, and social media channels. Our members are also listed on our website, where other community members can see who is part of the GCRI community. Training opportunities for your organization’s staff are available for free or reduced cost, including workshops, issue forums and webinars.

Access to partner conferences, products & publications

• Discounts On Professional Workshops & Conferences: We negotiate reduced rates for professional workshops and conferences through partnerships in the United Philanthropy Forum and with regional peers. For example, Philanthropy MA offers its member rate to GCRI members to attend Philanthropy 101, a workshop for people who are new to the field.
• Publications: Our members are eligible for discounted subscriptions to the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Inside Philanthropy (20% off new subscriptions), The Foundation Review (20% discount), and Alliance magazine (20% discount).
• Candid (Guidestar): Our members are eligible for 20% discounts on products like GuideStar Premium and Pro, Financial SCAN, GuideStar Nonprofit Compensation Report, and GuideStar Charity Check.
• Discount On Exponent Philanthropy Membership: Exponent Philanthropy is an association of small grantmakers focused on foundations with few or no staff, philanthropic families, and individual donors. GCRI members can receive $100 off the first year of membership in Exponent Philanthropy.
• Foundation Legal Help Desk: The Foundation Legal Help Desk is designed to provide community, private and family foundations with access to answers to legal questions related to the operations of a foundation through a yearly low-cost fee. The foundation world is a complex field that requires specialized legal knowledge and many foundations do not have easy access to an attorney with expertise in this field. The Help Desk is operated by our colleagues at the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. Different levels and fees are available depending on organizational size and usage.

One-on-one organizational support

Our staff and board bring deep experience in philanthropy and can serve as valuable conduits, linking you to specific resources, organizations, best practices, peer organizations, and references that address your organization’s particular concerns and challenges.