Water Safety Grant Program
Forecasted
Water Safety Grant Program supports Rhode Island lesson providers in expanding swimming, paddlecraft safety, and adaptive swimming instruction for children and teens to improve access and reduce drowning risk.
Funder: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 minimum for subsidized lessons; no minimum or maximum for adaptive equipment/training
Summary: Grants help Rhode Island providers expand swimming and paddlecraft safety lessons for children and teens.
Key Information: Applicants must be Rhode Island municipalities or organizations registered to conduct business with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
Description
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) launched the Water Safety Grant Program in 2024 to help communities and organizations bring more children and teens into swimming and paddlecraft safety lessons. The program aims to reduce drowning risk and expand access to water safety training in a state where many residents live near beaches and freshwater ponds but lack a robust training curriculum.
Grants support additional participation in lessons, including adaptive swimming lessons for students with cognitive, developmental, or physical challenges. Funding is also available for equipment, staff training, certifications, and small facility improvements connected to adaptive programming.
