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UPCOMING ROUNDTABLE:
Activating Public Space

April 9, 2026

12-1 PM over Zoom (FREE)

Featuring: C.J. Opperthauser, Executive Director of Friends of Congress Square Park in downtown Portland, ME

WALKING TOUR:

Innovations in Street Trees + Stormwater

Hosted by Andy Glines,

Senior Project Manager, Fuss & O’Neill

Wednesday April 29 @ 4:30pm

We will meet at Grow Smart RI

(30 Exchange Terrace).

In Case You Missed It:

Our last Roundtable investigating Asset Mapping our Main Streets inspired us to learn more and we want to share what we learned with YOU! 

Read through our guide and sample community asset mapping workshop outline.

Main Street: A Power of Place Podcast

SEASON 2

Did you know that one of America's oldest Main Streets is right here in North Kingstown? Hear all about it on Season 2 of our Main Street: A Power of Place Podcast. Also recently featured: a fresh look into Providence's Mount Hope community.

New episodes drop every other Friday. Listen on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify today!

Word on the Street

UPCOMING EVENTS

ABOVE: After surviving this winter, we've earned some serious spring celebrations. Join us in the festivities surrounding the blooming of 1,500,000 daffodils during the city's 14th Annual Newport Daffodil Days, scheduled from April 1-30. Come for bountiful window displays, bike rides, garden shows, and a parade on April 12th.

Food Truck Drag Brunch Block Party presented by the Providence Culinary Collective at the Alley Cat, 17 Snow St. Providence. Sunday, Mar 29, 11:30--3:30 pm.

Main Street Now National Conference, presented by Main Street America, Tulsa, OK, April 13-15.

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 RI Small Business Summit presented by Skills for Rhode Island's Future, Crown Plaza, Warwick. May 5th, 8am-4:30pm

As part of National Small Business Week, entrepreneurs, lenders, industry experts, and community partners from across Rhode Island will come together for the 2026 Rhode Island Small Business Summit. This full-day event will feature practical strategies to help small businesses grow.

WHAT WE'RE READING / LISTENING TO

"What is a Third Place? Beyond the Buzzword to True Social Connection," Project for Public Space, March 6, 2026

"Main Spotlight: Financing the Future for Main Streets," Main Street America, March 10, 2026

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

T-Mobile Hometown Grant

Main Street America is partnering with T‑Mobile to help build stronger, more prosperous small towns and rural communities. With T‑Mobile’s Hometown Grant program, they’re investing big in small towns by awarding up to 100 towns a year with project funding — up to $50,000 each.

APPLICATION DUE: March 31, 2026 @12:59 PM (also June 30, Sept. 31, Dec. 31)

Community Heart and Soul: Seed Grant Program

$10,000 grant for Resident-driven projects in cities/towns with populations less than 30,000. Supports full community engagement in determining and shaping their town's future. "Instead of bringing residents to the table, you bring the table to residents". Requires cash match and links grantees to a Coach mentor. 

DEADLINE: Rolling  

Grass Root Fund: Seed Grants

Grants of $500 to $1,000 to support newly-forming, volunteer-based community groups in New England with budgets under $100,000 (generally groups in their first 2 years). Supports civic engagement for healthy, just, safe and environmentally sustainable communities. You can receive up to 2 grants per year for different projects. 

DEADLINE: Rolling

LOCAL: Litter-Free Rhode Island Spring Cleanup Microgrants

The RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) will accept applications for grants of up to $500 each to qualified applicants to conduct litter pick-ups to be held no later than June 30, 2026. 

Applications will be accepted through May 1, 2026, or until the grant money runs out, whichever comes first. 

National Trust for Historic Preservation: Hart Family Fund for Small Towns 
(with Main Street America)

Grants from $2,500 to $15,000 for preservation projects in towns with populations less than 10,000. For projects to promote public discussion and education, provide technical expertise, and encourage private sector investment in a preservation project. 

DEADLINE: May 1

Support stronger Main Streets across Rhode Island this 401 Gives.


Your gift to Grow Smart RI powers our Main Street RI work—helping local businesses thrive, activating downtowns, and building walkable, vibrant communities across the state. Together, we turn small investments into lasting impact—block by block, street by street.

ARE YOU READY TO GIVE?

Thank You to our Main Street RI Founding Sponsor:

With Additional Support Provided By

Grow Smart RI | www.GrowSmartRI.org