The Merritt Neighborhood Fund was established in 1999 and named after the late Peter Merritt, President Emeritus of the Aquidneck Island Land Trust. The Fund supports neighborhood-based efforts that protect and enhance green spaces through land conservation, beautification projects, and stewardship.

Over the years, the Fund has funded community gardens and the transformation of neglected properties to enhance environmental and recreational benefits in neighborhoods throughout the Island.

Congratulations to the 2026 grantees:

• Aquidneck Community Table: Thompson Middle School Community Garden Restoration 

• Bike Newport: Trailhead for Miantonomi Memorial Park behind the Big Blue Bike Barn 

• Common Fence Point Association: Freshwater Pond improvements with native plants 

• Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District: Community Garden upgrade at AGInnovation Farm 

• Middletown Tree Association: Resiliency against Beech Leaf Disease in Albro Woods 

• Newport Tree Conservancy: Tree plantings in Ballard Park 

• Norman Bird Sanctuary: “Good Gardens” infrastructure improvements 

• Town of Portsmouth: Tree plantings for Glen Park Playground 

Download Project Report Form.

Help us grow the Fund! Donate to the endowed Merritt Neighborhood Fund so more community projects can benefit from these small but impactful grants. With your support, a little goes a long way! Find out more in the brochure here.