NEWSROOM
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."
Free Tax Preparation for Rhode Islanders
ABC6
"United Way has locally led the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program since 2005. Working individuals or families who make under $57,414... annually... can access free tax preparation services to ensure [they] get [their] money in tax refunds and credits."
Housing advocates blast Cranston site plan
The Providence Journal
"'I think we are at a point where every time we lose a parcel that could be used for dense development, we are creating more obstacles for ourselves to bring on the housing the community needs,' [said] Kristina Brown, a Cranston resident and housing and economic policy officer at... United Way of Rhode Island."
Biggest barrier to housing? Planning boards
The Providence Journal
"Without the buy-in of members of local planning and zoning commissions, we will continue to see buildable parcels go to projects that do not include housing," writes Kristina Brown, program officer of housing and economic policy at United Way of Rhode Island. "As the smallest state in the union, we need to be building housing on every suitable parcel."
Zoning laws hindering housing construction
The Boston Globe
"Cortney Nicolato, the CEO of United Way of Rhode Island and another member of the special legislative commission, said most of the state’s land use enabling legislation was written in 1991... 'When you have 100 amendments in a 30-year legislation, it's clearly not working... The housing crisis cannot be truly transformed until we tackle systemic barriers, like zoning laws and land use.'"
McKee Proposes $250 Million for Housing
GoLocalProv
"Our state's housing crisis is significant and must be a priority in the budget. But just as important, the investment needs to combine with transformational change in the systems surrounding housing as a whole," said Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island.
Community Focus: United Way/Kyle Bennett
WPRI 12
"Director of Policy and Equity for United Way of Rhode Island Kyle Bennett joined 12 News at 4 to discuss the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, how many families benefited from it, and what residents can do to help."
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.”
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.”
401Gives Raises More Money than Ever
Rhode Islanders have done it again, rising to the occasion to support local nonprofits and their work during 401Gives. After kicking off at 6 a.m. on Friday, April 1, the effort that’s become the largest single day of giving in the Ocean State tallied $3.1 million raised for 507 different organizations.
United Way Hosts 10th Children’s Book Drive
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. Join us by buying and shipping books, dropping off books at one of our collection sites, or hosting a drive.
United Way Gains $1M for Nonprofit Center
The vision… led by United Way of Rhode Island to create a statewide Nonprofit Resource Center has received… a $1 million commitment from the Papitto Opportunity Connection. The funding will help… accelerate the development of the business model… and will be spread across four years.
R.I.ers Invited to Join Equity Challenge 2022
United Way of Rhode Island is inviting residents throughout the state to commit 15 minutes a day to better understand how inequity and racism impact our lives and our communities. The organization begins its free Equity Challenge 2022 on Feb. 28, and Rhode Islanders can sign up to participate online.
What Cheer Flower Farm Wins Nonprofit Innovation Lab
“From a group of six nonprofit finalists pitching their new ideas, What Cheer Flower Farm emerged last night as the top winner of the second-ever Nonprofit Innovation Lab. They secured $50,000 during the program’s SPARKED! final pitch competition to help bring their idea to life.”