Root Causes. United Solutions.
Welcome
United Way of Rhode Island's mission is uniting our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders.
Learn more about United Way of Rhode Island's mission and history.
NEED HELP NOW? cALL 211.
United Way’s 211 in Rhode Island is the statewide front door to social services. We can connect you and those you care about with food, housing, job training, and much more.
Not sure if we can help? Prefer to search our resource database on your own? Learn more about 211.
What we're fighting for
UNITING OUR COMMUNITY
Our 10,000+ donors include teachers, union workers, government employees, and corporate staff who give what they can from their paychecks. And each and every one of them is making a difference. Here's why some have pledged to support our mission. (See full list.)
Ashley Gingerella O'Shea
Individual Donor
"I am dedicated to giving back to the state, which has given me and my family so much. I love Rhode Island and am committed to the betterment of my state. I want my children to grow up in an even stronger, more equitable Rhode Island."
OAK STREET HEALTH
Workplace Partner
"The United Way is a 'rock' in Rhode Island, and they have done incredible work for 90+ years. This plan will ensure the state is supported appropriately over the next five years. I and my company would like to be part of that effort to improve Rhode Island for everyone."
Newport partnership for families
Nonprofit Partner
"I dream for Rhode Island to be a place where all voices are heard, respected, and honored. I'm so grateful to the United Way for taking the lead to encourage all organizations to make fundamental changes to make our communities better places for all to live."
Uniting with workplaces
United Way of Rhode Island provides resources and consultative support to help companies shape and measure the return on their community investment and corporate social responsibility.
We’re proud to partner with companies and organizations across the state in support of our mission and their community focus.
Companies partnering with United Way through shared purpose co-create greater value through impact, engagement and reputation.
Workplace giving programs engage employees, build a spirit of teamwork, and increase morale all while making an impact on the community.
uniting with and supporting nonprofits
Do you run a local nonprofit? We want to help. Check out our capacity building resources.
Join us and live united!
Give
Every $1 makes a difference, because every gift helps someone in Rhode Island.
Advocate
Get behind what you care about. Share your voice, lend your name, and get involved.
Volunteer
Put your talents to work. Help your community and have fun doing it.
Form Symbiotic Nonprofit Relationships
Forbes Nonprofit Council
"If not done carefully, a business relationship has the potential to hinder rather than help the work being done by both organizations. To prevent collaborations that hinder nonprofit work, 11 members of Forbes Nonprofit Council, including Cortney Nicolato, United Way of Rhode Island's president and CEO, share how nonprofit leaders can form mutually beneficial relationships with a partner or another organization."
Nonprofit Center Design Team Announced
GoLocalProv
"United Way of Rhode Island announced on Tuesday the... members of a 'Design Team' that will be tasked with co-creating a vision and plan for... a Nonprofit Resource Center... 'We had a strong application response, and [these] individuals particularly stood out for their collection of unique insights and commitment to collaboration,' said Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way."
401Gives raises $3.09M for 507 nonprofits
Providence Business News
"This year's 401Gives Day raised the bar, once again, in supporting the state's nonprofit sector. As of Monday afternoon, the annual online fundraising initiative raised $3.09M, breaking last year's record total by close to a million dollars. It also saw a record number of donors – 12,850 in total as of 2:15 p.m. Monday – and number of organizations supported at 507, exceeding last year's mark by 87."
Seeking Input for Nonprofit Resource Center
“The Design Team working with United Way of Rhode Island to create a vision and plan for a statewide Nonprofit Resource Center is seeking input from the community to help guide what the center could offer. The first virtual session will look at current nonprofit capacity, followed by a number of visioning sessions focused on brainstorming strategies to strengthen nonprofits.”
Olneyville Community Fund RFP Released
“Continuing its commitment to strengthening the neighborhood it calls home, United Way of Rhode Island has released a request for proposal (RFP) for funding from its Olneyville Community Fund. More than $100,000 in grants is being made available to nonprofits located in Olneyville and those whose work specifically serves the Olneyville community.”
11 Leaders Selected for Design Team
“Work to create a Nonprofit Resource Center to support Rhode Island organizations is picking up steam with the selection of the members of the Design Team that will be tasked with cocreating a vision and plan for what the effort will look like. United Way of Rhode Island… has named 11 nonprofit leaders to the team.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Children’s Book Drive 2022
United Way of Rhode Island's Children's Book Drive is back! From April 1 - May 25, we're teaming up with Women United and Books Are Wings to help Rhode Island children build their own libraries at home. Want to donate books or host a drive with your family, friends, or coworkers? View our Children's Book Drive 2022 Frequently Asked Questions at the link below.
Visioning Session: Capacity Building Effort
United Way of Rhode Island is partnering with local nonprofit leaders to design a nonprofit resource hub for organizations across the state. Join us for a virtual, 90-minute visioning session to brainstorm strategies to address the needs of Rhode Island nonprofits and structural inequities in the sector. There will be five sessions — choose the one that best fits your schedule.
Day of Action
Join United Way of Rhode Island for Day of Action on Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m at United Way in Providence. We'll be sorting, labeling, and preparing books collected during our Children's Book Drive 2022 for distribution to kids in afterschool and summer learning programs. Three shifts are available — 9 - 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., and 2 - 4 p.m. This is a family friendly volunteer opportunity.
The Night Is Young
Don't miss the largest young professionals event of the year! Join United Way's Young Leaders Circle for The Night Is Young on Saturday, June 18 from 7 - 11 p.m. at Skyline at Waterplace. Register now to get early bird tickets for $45.