Open Grant Round: Water Safety Grant Application 2027

DEM is offering grants to communities and organizations that provide swimming or paddlecraft safety lessons to children and teens to support additional participation in their programs. Formal swimming and paddlecraft lessons are preventative measures that can reduce the risk of drowning.

In addition to swim/paddlecraft lesson grants, DEM is offering funding to cover the cost of adaptive swimming lessons and equipment, trainings, and certifications for adaptive programming for all ages. These lessons are designed to accommodate students with cognitive, developmental, or physical challenges to make sure they feel safe and confident in the water.

Approximately $72,000 has been dedicated to the 2027 grant program.

Organizations may submit multiple applications for different pieces of this grant (i.e., swim lessons and adaptive equipment/training). If you have multiple locations, please submit one application per location.

Learn more and apply at https://dem.ri.gov/water-safety-grants27