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GROW SMART RHODE ISLAND

EIN 05-0499148 PROVIDENCE, RI

Largest nonprofits in Rhode Island

Revenue 2024
$763,343
Expenses 2024
$629,988

Program services were 47.0% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
A99
Classification
1000
Street
144 WESTMINSTER ST STE 303

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Other organizations at this address

1 other organization in the IRS Business Master File lists the same street address. matched by us

This address is a suite or unit (STE 303). Organizations that share one are often clients of the same office-services firm, accountant or registered agent rather than related to each other.

We match the street line and ZIP code as the IRS gives them, ignoring case and outer spaces and nothing else, so "AVE" and "AVENUE" count as different streets and this list can miss some. A shared address can mean related organizations or a shared office, but it can also be a registered agent, a mail drop or a service provider holding mail for unrelated clients. It is not, by itself, evidence that two organizations are connected.

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

GROW SMART RHODE ISLAND'S MISSION IS TO LEAD AND ENGAGE RHODE ISLANDERS IN ADVANCING NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

Activities or mission (Part I)

PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND QUALITY OF PLACE; EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY OPTIONS.

  • 1) GROW SMART RI CONTINUED ITS STEPPED UP COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY FOR TWO OVERRIDING PURPOSES A.) TO SUPPORT AN EXPANDED FUNDRAISING CAPACITY, AND B.) TO INCREASE GROW SMART'S INFLUENCE WITH TARGETED OPINION LEADERS, DECISION MAKERS AND THE PUBLIC.2) IN 2024 WE HIRED A VERY TALENTED COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENT STRATEGIST ,CAROLINE STEVENS AS WELL AS COMPLETING A NEW COMMUNICATIONS PLAN. THE PLAN ESTABLISHES A STRATEGIC, METRICS-DRIVEN AND SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO GROW SMART RI COMMUNICATIONS. IT INCLUDES SEVERAL TOOLS TO GUIDE AND FOCUS ITS EXECUTION, INCLUDING A CONTENT CALENDAR, TARGET AUDIENCE CORRELATION CHART, GUIDANCE FOR SEGMENTING TARGET AUDIENCES AND A JOB DESCRIPTION FOR RECRUITING THE CAPACITY TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN. OUR COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIES NOW INCLUDE EARNED MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA (INCLUDING DIGITAL STORY-TELLING AND ADVERTISING), MONTHLY GENERAL AND MAIN STREET FOCUSED ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS, EMAIL MARKETING, A MAIN STREET PODCAST, EVENTS AND HIGHLY TARGETED PAID ADVERTISING.3) EARNED MEDIA: EARNED SIGNIFICANT FREE MEDIA COVERAGE IN 2024 FROM A WIDE RANGE OF OUTLETS, INCLUDING THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, BOSTON GLOBE, ECO RI NEWS, THE RI CURRENT, THE PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS, AND SEVERAL MAJOR LOCAL TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS.

    Expenses $41,409

  • 1.GROW SMART RI'S 2024 POWER OF PLACE SUMMIT WAS BY ALL ACCOUNTS, INCLUDING THE POST SUMMIT SURVEY, VERY SUCCESSFUL IN ENERGIZING THE SMART GROWTH MOVEMENT, ENGAGING OUR EXTENSIVE SET OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS, STRENGTHENING THOSE VALUABLE RELATIONSHIPS, PROMOTING OUR KEY POLICY REFORM PRIORITIES, AND OPTIMIZING THE SUMMIT'S FUNDRAISING POTENTIAL.MORE THAN 330 PEOPLE ATTENDED, A SOMEWHAT HIGHER TURNOUT THAN OUR LAST SUMMIT, BRINGING TOGETHER THE LARGEST AND MOST DIVERSE GATHERING OF COMMUNITY CHANGEMAKERS IN RHODE ISLAND. AND THANKS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF NICK ROACH AND THE GENEROSITY OF BUFF CHACE, WE HOSTED A PRE-SUMMIT RECEPTION ATOP THE PEERLESS LOFTS ON THURSDAY, MAY 2. THIS WAS PRIMARILY FOR SPONSORS AND CLOSE SUPPORTERS WITH A ROBUST TURNOUT OF APPROXIMATELY 50 PEOPLE WHO ENJOYED THE MUSIC, SURROUNDINGS, REFRESHMENTS AND A KEYNOTE PREVIEW OFFERED BY GIL PENALOSA. FINANCIALLY, NET SURPLUS REVENUE FROM THE SUMMIT EXCEEDED OUR BUDGET PROJECTION BY NEARLY $5,000 - THE SURPLUS WAS $97,220 VS A PROJECTED $91,445. 2. SMART GROWTH WORKSHOPS WERE HELD FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS IN LATE SEPTEMBER OF 2024. LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS FROM WOONSOCKET TO BLOCK ISLAND PARTICIPATED IN THESE WORKSHOPS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TOOLS AND POLICIES FOR STRENGTHENING THEIR COMMUNITIES' QUALITY OF LIFE, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY. NATE KELLY AND JEFF DAVIS OF HORSLEY WITTEN GROUP PRESENTED ON MIXED-USE AND TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD) ZONING TO ENCOURAGE MORE HOUSING PRODUCTION IN AND AROUND DOWNTOWNS. JILLIAN FINKLE PRESENTED GROW SMART RI'S MAIN STREET RHODE ISLAND INITIATIVE TO ACTIVATE AND REVITALIZE MAIN STREETS AND KEY COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS. JOHN FLAHERTY OF GREEN STREET ASSOCIATES AND AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR FOR GROW SMART RI SHOWCASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND COMFORT OF WALKING AND BIKING, AND SARAH INGLE OF RIPTA OUTLINED HOW MUNICIPALITIES CAN COLLABORATE WITH RIPTA TO IMPROVE TRANSIT SERVICE AND ACCESS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

    Expenses $112,397

  • PUBLIC POLICY: WE ORGANIZED OUR POLICY AND PROGRAM WORK IN 2024 UNDER THE GOALS DISCUSSED BELOW: A. REVITALIZED MAIN STREETS AND DOWNTOWNSSPECIFIC 2024 DELIVERABLES /OUTPUTS ON THIS FRONT INCLUDED: 1. MAIN STREET CAPACITY BUILDING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INITIATIVESDEPUTY DIRECTOR AND MAIN STREET DIRECTOR JILLIAN FINKLE SECURED A A $26,000 GRANT FROM COMMERCE RI THROUGH THE MAIN STREET STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT FUND (RHODE ISLAND ENERGY'S COMMITMENT OF $20,000 SERVES AS THE REQUIRED MATCH.) THE GRANT SUPPORTED A MAIN STREET NETWORK KICKOFF EVENT ON NOVEMBER 16, 2024 AND WILL SUPPORT ONGOING MONTHLY MAIN STREET ROUNDTABLE PROGRAMS THE NOVEMBER 16 EVENT WAS A KICKOFF BREAKFAST AT OASIS INTERNATIONAL FOR A NEW MAIN STREET RI NETWORK. BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM THE 25 ATTENDEES AT THE EVENT, WE WILL HELP DEVELOP A MAIN STREET RI NETWORK IN 2025, PROVIDING 4 VIRTUAL AND 2 IN-PERSON MEETINGS FOR MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY GROUPS WORKING IN COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS. WE WILL INVITE ONE "HOST" COMMUNITY PER MEETING TO LEAD A PRESENTATION, DETAILING THEIR PROCESS ON A SPECIFIC PROJECT AND/OR A DISCUSSION BASED ON A CURRENT CHALLENGE THEY ARE ENCOUNTERING. AMONG OUR 2024 MAIN STREET VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLES WERE THE FOLLOWING: " SEPTEMBER 26: PARKING STUDIES, FEATURING JOHN SHEVLIN OF PARE, NICOLE LAFONTAINE, PLANNING DIRECTOR FOR NORTH KINGSTOWN AND BEN MANDEL, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNER FOR NORTH KINGSTOWN. " OCTOBER 31: THE CHANGING FACE OF RETAIL IN COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS, FEATURING JO LEE OF POP UP RHODY, JAN DANE OF STOCK CULINARY GOODS ON HOPE STREET IN PROVIDENCE, AND FORMER GSRI BOARD MEMBER LESLIE MOORE OF PAWTUCKET'S BLACK BLOCK. 2. STATE HISTORIC TAX CREDIT - IN COLLABORATION WITH KEY ALLIES, ESPECIALLY PRESERVE RI AND THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF NEWPORT COUNTY, WE DEVOTED A LOT OF EFFORT RAISING ALARM BELLS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL AND REGULATORY CHALLENGES FACING ONE OF GROW SMART RI'S SIGNATURE ACHIEVEMENTS, THE STATE HISTORIC TAX CREDIT PROGRAM ("HTC"). VAL TALMAGE OF PRESERVE RI AND GROW SMART RI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SCOTT WOLF, ALONG WITH OUR RESPECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS STAFF BEGAN MAPPING OUT 2025 LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH HTC REFORM AND RECAPITALIZATION STRATEGIES. TO INFORM AND ASSIST OUR EFFORTS, WE HELD A LATE OCTOBER, 2024 STRATEGY MEETING WITH REPS DONOVAN AND SPEAKMAN AND A SIMILAR MEETING WITH SENATE ALLIES LOU DIPALMA (SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR) AND DAWN EUER (SENATE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR). AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE JOINTLY DEVELOPED SEVERAL HISTORIC TAX CREDIT PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS, INCLUDING A PETITION ACCESSIBLE ON BOTH OUR WEB SITES CALLING ON OUR STATE LEADERS TO "FIX" THE PROGRAM. B) EXPAND AND ENHANCE TRANSPORTATION CHOICES SPECIFIC 2024 DELIVERABLES /OUTPUTS ON THIS FRONT INCLUDED:1. WE MANAGED TWO GRANTS THROUGH THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (RIDOH FOCUSED ON THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND SEEKING TO INFLUENCE POLICIES AND ACTIONS THAT CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THIS INCLUDED EDUCATION AROUND LAND USE AND ZONING REFORMS, ADVOCACY FOR IMPLEMENTING RHODE ISLAND'S STATE-APPROVED TRANSIT MASTER PLAN AND BICYCLE MOBILITY PLAN. IT ALSO INCLUDED A PORTION OF THE WORK WE DO ADVANCING THE MAIN STREET RI INITIATIVE AND PROGRAMMING THAT ACTIVATES HEALTHY, THRIVING MAIN STREETS AND ENCOURAGES WALKING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.THE RIDOH GRANTS ARE SUPPORTING A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATIONS, ORGANIZING AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES THAT RAISE AWARENESS AND PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING THE LINK BETWEEN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH, ESPECIALLY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. 2. "RHODIES IN TRANSIT" INITIATIVE GROW SMART ENGAGED BUSINESS, CIVIC AND ELECTED LEADERS ACROSS THE STATE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC TRANSIT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING PRODUCTION, MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION AND CLIMATE ACTIONTHE PURPOSE OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF DECISION MAKERS AND OPINION LEADERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN BETTER TRANSIT.SEVEN (7) TRIPS WERE CONDUCTED AND PROMOTED HEAVILY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. 3. STATE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC)JOHN FLAHERTY OF GROW SMART RI WAS ELECTED CHAIR OF THE STATE TAC AT ITS FEBRUARY, 2024 MEETING. DURING THE SPRING HE BEGAN ENCOURAGING INCREASED ACTION AND INFLUENCE BY THE TAC IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES AND STANDARDS OF THE STATE PLANNING COUNCIL (OF WHICH THE TAC IS A COMMITTEE). JOHN STRESSED THAT THE THE TAC CAN AND SHOULD BE PLAYING A STRONGER ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 10-YEAR PIPELINE OF STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT PROJECTS, KNOWN AS THE STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (STIP), AMONG OTHER WAYS TO INFLUENCE A BALANCED AND WELL-MAINTAINED MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.4. ADVOCACY FOR STRONGER PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS. GROW SMART RI ADVOCATED FOR BETTER TRANSIT AND IMPROVED ACTIVE MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPPOSED MEASURES/POLICIES THAT WE BELIEVED WOULD UNDERMINE SUCH OBJECTIVES.C. REFORM LAND USE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES SPECIFIC 2024 DELIVERABLES /OUTPUTS ON THIS FRONT INCLUDED: 1.SCOTT WOLF CONTINUED TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE RI HOUSE'S COMMISSION ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, STILL ABLY CHAIRED BY A STRONG GROW SMART RI ALLY, REPRESENTATIVE JUNE SPEAKMAN. SCOTT ALSO SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELPING TO GUIDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW STATE HOUSING PLAN. 2, WE WERE PART OF A BROAD COALITION WHICH SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR A ROBUST HOUSING BOND FOR THE NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT. THE FINAL NUMBER LANDED AT $ 120 MILLION, ONE OF, IF NOT THE LARGEST SINGLE PROPOSED COMMITMENT TO INCREASING HOUSING SUPPLY IN RHODE ISLAND'S HISTORY, ALBEIT NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH THE FULL SCALE OF RI'S DRAMATIC HOUSING SHORTAGE. THIS BOND PASSED BY A ROUGHLY 2 TO 1 MARGIN. 3. ON ANOTHER HOUSING RELATED FRONT, WE WERE PLEASED THAT RENEWED STATE FUNDING WAS AUTHORIZED FOR A POLICY REFORM FOR WHICH WE HAVE BEEN A LEADER--- STATE MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS TO CATALYZE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WORKFORCE PRODUCTION IN SMART GROWTH LOCATIONS.

    Expenses $141,975

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • Michael L Friedman

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Lloyd Albert

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Glenn Gardiner

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Sharon D Conard Wells

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Michael A Decataldo

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Trudy Coxe

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Karen Grande

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Muraina Akinfolarin

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Nirva R Lafortune

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Justin Savage

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Dr William Hollinshead

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Eric Busch

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Justin Dufresne

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Kyle Lynch

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jason E Kelly

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Daniel A Baudouin

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Cristen Raucci

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Nicholas Roach

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Amy Pettine

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • George Watson III

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Mary Ettinger

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Eugenio Fernandez

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • John Chambers

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Gail E McCann

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Maureen Moakley

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

The first 25 listed. Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $763,343
    Expenses
    $629,988
    Contributions
    $641,893
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $626,650
    Expenses
    $703,006
    Contributions
    $332,223
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $710,862
    Expenses
    $733,646
    Contributions
    $522,544
    Grants paid
    $0

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $645,662
    Expenses
    $575,354
    Assets (EOY)
    $118,778
  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $578,566
    Expenses
    $609,567
    Assets (EOY)
    $111,631
  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $599,619
    Expenses
    $601,041
    Assets (EOY)
    $130,879
  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $602,307
    Expenses
    $630,318
    Assets (EOY)
    $117,639
  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $584,052
    Expenses
    $573,113
    Assets (EOY)
    $117,470
  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $631,708
    Expenses
    $641,556
    Assets (EOY)
    $118,950
  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $523,171
    Expenses
    $586,957
    Assets (EOY)
    $99,299
  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $701,725
    Expenses
    $593,730
    Assets (EOY)
    $161,562

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all.

Grants made

No itemized grants to organizations. Schedule I is filed only by organizations that granted more than $5,000 to a recipient, so most filers have none.

Grants received

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 1 November 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.