NEWSROOM
Balancing Accountability & Empathy At Work
Forbes Nonprofit Council
"Striking a balance between accountability and empathy is crucial for creating a work environment where employees can thrive... Here, 13 members of Forbes Nonprofit Council, including United Way of Rhode Island's president and CEO, Cortney Nicolato, share their expert tips on maintaining accountability and empathy in the workplace."
MolinaCares donates $105K to RI nonprofits
Providence Business News
"United Way of Rhode Island received $50,000 from the MolinaCares Accord for its Nonprofit Innovation Lab, designed to promote innovation within nonprofits to create programs focused on housing, health equity and solutions to racial disparity."
Reading Reaps Rewards celebrates 20 yr.
What's Up Newp
"The Reading Reaps Rewards Summer Learning Initiative welcomed 199 Newport students this summer at three learning sites... Students have daily literacy and math activities taught by certified teachers, engage with peers in learning activities, and enjoy field trips and guest presenters from local partnering organizations."
15 Ways Nonprofits Can Entice New Talent
Forbes Nonprofit Council
"As employees… embrace new ways to work, certain industries have suffered a recent labor shortage... To make sense of this shift in hiring practices, a panel of Forbes Nonprofit Council members, including United Way of Rhode Island’s president and CEO, Cortney Nicolato, laid out some practices nonprofits can weave into their hiring efforts to entice new talent."
Summer of STEM
Cranston Herald
"Summer and STEM? It might not be the combination most students have in mind when the school year ends. But for students in the STEM Advantage program, the two went hand-in-hand over the past several weeks."
Summer Learning Initiative lets kids catch up
The Westerly Sun
"'The biggest piece of the Summer Learning Initiative is... the social emotional growth for many of these kids who haven't left their homes because of the pandemic,' said Rebecca Trebisacci, the initiative's education coordinator... 'If the kids aren’t socially and emotionally ready then they are not ready for classroom learning.'"
Women United awards $124K in grants
Providence Business News
"United Way of Rhode Island['s]... Women United group [has] awarded $124K in grants to three local nonprofits to support increased access to experiential learning for underserved K-3 students, as well as [expanding] out-of-school programs for minority youth."
Discussing the 2021 Nonprofit Innovation Lab
The Bartholomewtown Podcast
"Bill Bartholomew welcomes United Way of Rhode Island President/CEO Cortney Nicolato, Social Enterprise Greenhouse Senior Manager for Strategic Initiatives Constance Ferber, Destenie Vital of What Cheer Flower Farm and Brent Runyon of Providence Preservation Society to discuss the 2021 Nonprofit Innovation Lab."
3 Things Going On At The General Assembly
The Bartholomewtown Podcast
Bill Bartholomew breaks down 3 different things happening inside the Rhode Island General Assembly — childcare investments, autobody bills and insurance premiums, and afterschool and summer learning legislation. Guests include United Way of Rhode Island's Kyle Bennett, director, policy and equity, and Marlene Guay, program officer, child development and 2-gen initiatives.
Voting Begins for Nonprofit Innovation Lab
“Following months of honing their innovative ideas to create positive social impact in our state, leaders of six nonprofits will make their pitch to Rhode Islanders via brief videos in hopes of winning the Public Choice Award of the Nonprofit Innovation Lab. The voting opens Jan. 19 and ends on Jan. 24, with the winning organization receiving $5,000 in funding.”
Leaders Selected for ED Learning Circle
“Leaders of 11 local nonprofits have been selected by United Way of Rhode Island as fellows for its next Executive Director Learning Circle series. The year-long program takes an innovative approach to building the capacity of, and strengthening, the state’s nonprofit sector.”
211: On the Line
“It’s been very, very difficult at times,” shares Evelyn Cabrera, a senior community resource specialist and team leader for United Way 211 in Rhode Island. “But I couldn’t be more proud of our work and the ways we’ve been there to help our fellow Rhode Islanders throughout this crisis.”
United Way Welcomes New Board Members
“United Way of Rhode Island has appointed a total of 10 community leaders across its board of directors and its Community Advisory Board, while also naming a new board chair. Assuming leadership of the board of directors is Dolph Johnson, EVP, Chief Global Human Resources Officer for Hasbro, Inc.”
Starkweather & Shepley: Annual Celebration Honoree
“Here at United Way of Rhode Island… we take great pride in our role as a convener, bringing community stakeholders together to address our state’s most important issues. And we are tremendously fortunate to have partners that support not only our work, but also our vision for a Rhode Island that is the best it can be.”
Homes RI: Annual Celebration Honoree
“It’s no secret that Rhode Island is in the midst of a housing crisis — one that began prior to COVID-19 and that’s since reached epic proportions over the past 18 months. As it’s estimated the Ocean State is short some 20,000+ units of affordable housing… one group in particular is leading the charge toward flipping the script.”
Linda Katz: Annual Celebration Honoree
“When someone receives an award named in honor of the revered, late U.S. Senator John Chafee as Linda Katz has this week, you know they’re a powerhouse for good. Chafee, who is likely best known for his work in the Senate, was also a Marine, a Secretary of the Navy, and Rhode Island’s 66th Governor.”
George Nee: Annual Celebration Honoree
“It’s been quite the ride for George Nee since he felt inspired to leave Boston College in 1969 to help organize the grape boycott for the United Farm Workers of America in Dorchester, Massachusetts. The decision would kick off a more than 50-year commitment to labor and the rights of workers.”
United Way Invests $175,029 in Olneyville
United Way of Rhode Island has sent a total of $175,029 in grants to 12 nonprofits for their work to create long-term change in the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence. The community investments were awarded from United Way’s special Olneyville Fund and… [support] the Lift United goals of its LIVE UNITED 2025 strategic plan to create opportunities for all Rhode Islanders.
2021 Summer Learning Initiative Recap
“A year after COVID-19 turned summer learning programs upside down, youth in five communities reveled in a full return to engaging, in-person activities this summer — with recommended safety guidelines in place and the support of dozens of partners.”
Women United Invests $124K in OSTL
“Women United… has awarded… $124K in grants to three local organizations in support of increasing access to experiential learning for underserved K-3 students and to expand out-of-school time programs for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) youth.”
Uber, R.I., and 211 Partner for Vaccine Rides
“The partnership supports the State’s goal to vaccinate as many Rhode Islanders as possible by the end of summer by providing free rides to all R.I. vaccine sites for those with limited access to transportation.”