NEWSROOM
Support youth literacy by donating books
The Rhode Show
"This morning on The Rhode Home we welcomed NIROPE – Ron & Pete Cardi – along with Lori DiMatteo, Coordinator of Volunteer Engagement for United Way of Rhode Island, and Jocelyn White, Executive Director of Books Are Wings. We learned about the upcoming [Children's] Book Drive starting in April, [hosted by United Way, Women United, and Books Are Wings]."
401Gives 2022 // ‘Car Pooling with Ben’
Ben DeCastro
"Cortney Nicolato joins 'Car Pooling with Ben' to chat about the excitement that is 401Gives as well as other ways that... United Way of Rhode Island supports anyone and everyone through their wide range of programs & services!"
United Way Launches Network Advisory Council
United Way
"United Way Worldwide (UWW) announced... the creation and membership of the United Way Network Advisory Council, a new advisory body that will engage with UWW leadership to ensure that local and state United Way voices inform UWW decisions... Local United Way CEO members of the Network Advisory Council [include United Way of Rhode Island's president and CEO, Cortney Nicolato]."
‘Redlining never really went away’
The Boston Globe
While 62 percent of all Rhode Islanders owned a home in 2019, only 34 percent of Black Rhode Islanders did, according to a newly published report by Brown University researchers, funded by United Way of Rhode Island.
Let’s find a way to help RIers face retirement
The Boston Globe
"Advocates, including Kristina Brown, program officer of housing and economic policy for United Way of Rhode Island, say a voluntary RISavers program could be one way to help private sector workers save for retirement without creating new costs for employers."
401Gives Will Raise Money for RI Nonprofits
Rhode Island Monthly
"When we first had the vision to create 401Gives, none of us could have imagined today's reality. But on April 1, we all have an opportunity to make a gift and make a difference. Every [nonprofit] in our state has been affected by the current health crisis and needs help," says Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way Rhode Island.
Join RI Realtors in supporting 401Gives
The Rhode Show
With 401Gives returning in April, many are looking ahead at various ways they can give back to help so many in need. Joining us on 'The Rhode Show'... with more information and to discuss how we can increase philanthropy in The Ocean State were Annie Becker, President, REALTOR® Foundation: Rhode Island, and Jennifer Remmes, Director of Resource Operations, United Way.
Cheer Flower Farm brings blossoms for free
The Boston Globe
"What Cheer Flower Farm... emerged last week as the top winner of the second-ever Nonprofit Innovation Lab, securing $50,000 during the final pitch competition... 'We wanted to reach kids... in stressful circumstances and help to try to alleviate their anxiety with fresh flowers and some educational programing," shared Destenie Vital, executive director of the Farm.
United Way helping R.I.ers file taxes for free
WPRI
"The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program connects those who qualify with someone who can help them prepare and file their taxes... Rhode Islanders interested in finding the nearest location and making an appointment can check online or call 211."
New Survey of R.I. Nonprofits Highlights Dire Need
As Rhode Islanders… prepare to participate in Giving Tuesday, the results of a new survey paint a stark picture of the challenges facing the state’s nonprofit sector. Local community-based organizations continue to provide services for communities still facing pandemic-level needs, while facing inflation-driven costs and inadequate staffing caused by the physical and emotional toll of the last two years.
United Way of Rhode Island Appoints Four to Its Board of Directors
Four community leaders have been appointed to the United Way of Rhode Island Board of Directors… Elected for three-year terms are David Bonenberger, president, Rhode Island Energy/PPL Corporation; Anthony Botelho, senior vice president, team leader, Washington Trust; Courtney Hawkins, health and human services industry executive, Salesforce; and Yahaira “Jay” Placencia, senior vice president, private client advisor, Bank of America.
I. Lanre Ajakaiye Joins United Way of R.I. as Chief Development Officer
Following a broad, competitive search for its chief development officer, United Way of Rhode Island has hired a community leader known to be an innovative changemaker. The organization has chosen Idrees “Lanre” Ajakaiye, who brings a deep, diverse range of experience to United Way’s work to transform the future by building racial equity and creating opportunities for all Rhode Islanders.
Fellows Selected for United Way’s Deputy Director Learning Circle
A cohort of eight nonprofit staff from a diverse group of local organizations has been selected by United Way of Rhode Island to participate in its inaugural Deputy Director Learning Circle. The new leadership development series was designed specifically to strengthen the competencies of individuals who aspire to become executive directors.
United Way and Secretary Gorbea Launch 211 Voter Hotline
Building off the successful use of 211 as a voter information hotline in 2020, United Way of Rhode Island today announced a partnership with Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea to establish a new, multilingual 211 Voter Information Hotline… By dialing 211 and selecting prompt 5, users connect with a trained… 211 call specialist able to answer a range of questions.
United Way Launches Nonprofit Leadership Development Series
United Way of Rhode Island is launching a new leadership development series for staff of local nonprofits with annual budgets of $5 million and under and is currently accepting applications from interested participants. The no-cost program is the Deputy Director Learning Circle, and it was developed specifically to strengthen the competencies of nonprofit staff who aspire to become executive directors.
United Way Issues VITA Program RFP
In support of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that returns millions of dollars to the pockets of eligible Rhode Islanders, United Way of Rhode Island is making a total of $500,000 in funding available over a two-year grant cycle.
Olneyville Programs Awarded $182,708
Through its Olneyville Community Fund, United Way of Rhode Island has awarded $182,708 in grants to programs whose work is strengthening the Providence neighborhood it calls home… Investments focus on creating opportunities for all by improving access to services for residents, enhancing educational offerings for children through adults, and increasing nonprofit capacity to meet community need. Eleven organizations received funding.
Leaders Chosen for Nonprofit Innovation Lab
“The leaders of 10 local organizations have been selected as fellows to participate in the latest Nonprofit Innovation Lab. This marks the third cohort of the joint effort of United Way of Rhode Island and Social Enterprise Greenhouse that launched in 2020. The unique program challenges organizations to think outside the box to develop new solutions to pressing social issues.”
State of Black RI Issues Homeownership Report
“Disparities in homeownership for Black Americans have persisted over time, but in Rhode Island, the rate of Black homeowners lags behind the national figure. However, the implementation of policy recommendations outlined in the newly released The State of Black Rhode Island: Homeownership Report can help to reduce, and possibly eliminate, these disparities.”
United Way Honors Community Champions
“During a special celebration on Thursday, June 9, United Way of Rhode Island honored a slate of community champions for their commitment to creating change in our communities and for their philanthropy. Recognized were Barbara Papitto, Sandra and Kenneth Pattie, and Maryclaire Knight.”
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.”