NEWSROOM

With focus on serving R.I., Brown deepens partnership with United Way
News from Brown
"Brown Gives has raised millions of dollars over decades to support United Way in helping Rhode Islanders in need, and the University has pledged a four-year commitment to support the organization’s new strategic plan."

Local nonprofits create ‘Yes on 3’ campaign to approve housing bond
Providence Business News
"United Way of Rhode Island, HousingWorks RI, ONE Neighborhood Builders, the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, and R.I. Housing and Mortgage Finance Corp. announced Monday that they launched 'Yes on 3,' a campaign asking voters to sign off on the $65 million Housing and Community Opportunity bond question on the March 2 special election ballot."

United Way of Rhode Island Commits $100 Million to Racial Equality
The NonProfit Times
"United Way of Rhode Island has earmarked $100 million over the next five years to promote racial equality in Rhode Island. The funding was announced alongside the launch of LIVE UNITED 2025, a new social good program."

Perfect storm for RI charities: COVID restricts fundraising as need skyrockets
The Providence Journal
"We asked nonprofit leaders how charities are faring alongside COVID and the economic downturn. Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island, puts it simply: 'There is a tremendous amount of need right now in Rhode Island.'"

Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not?
Go Local Prov
"Every Friday, GoLocalProv takes a look at who is rising and who is falling in Rhode Island politics, business, culture, and sports. On the hot list this week: United Way's commitment to invest $100M over the next five years to build racial equity."

United Way to invest $100M to build racial equity
THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
"The LIVE UNITED 2025 initiative is aimed at improving education, ensuring availability of housing that is affordable and safe for all, and empowering nonprofit organizations, among other objectives."

Cortney Nicolato: 20 who made a difference in 2020
GO LOCAL PROV
"When she was tapped as one of GoLocal’s 19 to Watch in 2019, like so many others, United Way President Cortney Nicolato couldn’t have imagined her role in 2020."

Five Questions With: Larry Warner
Providence Business News
"Redlining, racial covenants and discriminatory lending practices were fully legal practices that decreased homeownership among Blacks over several decades… Moreover, there is evidence of patterns of lower home valuations for BIPOC homeowners versus whites with comparable homes. Why does this matter, and how is it a root cause? Homeownership is highly correlated with accumulation of wealth."

Local organizations benefited from Scott’s $4.1 billion giving spree
Boston Globe
"Author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott announced in a blog post Tuesday that she has donated more than $4.1 billion in the past four months to hundreds of organizations, including several in New England… United Way of Rhode Island … received $10 million from Scott… Scott said her team looked at nearly 6,500 organizations and conducted research into about 800."
401Gives Returns April 1 with $1.5M Goal
"Rhode Islanders will have the opportunity to support… more than 300 local nonprofits when 401Gives, the state’s largest… day of giving, returns on April 1. After exceeding the $1 million mark for the effort’s first-ever year, United Way of Rhode Island has upped the ante, setting a goal to raise $1.5 million for nonprofits across the… state in… 24 hours."
United Way to Hold 21-Day Equity Challenge
"In alignment with the goals of its recently released LIVE UNITED 2025 strategic plan, United Way of Rhode Island today opened registration for its 21-Day Equity Challenge that kicks off February 24. All Rhode Islanders are invited to commit 15 minutes a day to equity with the goal of understanding how inequity and racism affect our lives and our communities."
Larry Warner Promoted to Chief Impact and Equity Officer at United Way of R.I.
"As a key member of the executive leadership team, Warner will lead United Way's efforts and strategies to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders."
United Way Commits $100 Million to Build Racial Equity and Opportunities for All Rhode Islanders
"United Way's new 5-year strategic plan will address the root causes of the systemic barriers that have thwarted Rhode Island’s ability to thrive."
United Way of R.I. the Recipient of $10 Million from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
"United Way of Rhode Island has received a gift in the amount of $10 million from philanthropist and novelist, MacKenzie Scott."
United Way of R.I. Issues Request for Proposals, Makes $2M Available in Grants
"United Way of Rhode Island has released a request for proposals (RFP), making available $2 million in grants from its Community Impact Fund."
Man Up, Inc. Wins Nonprofit Innovation Lab Pitch Finals, Secures $50,000 in Seed Funding to Implement Unique Community Solution
"Out of a pool of 5 finalists, Man Up, Inc. took home the grand prize of the Nonprofit Innovation Lab’s pitch finals on November 12, securing $50,000 in seed funding to support the creation of new economic development opportunities for previously incarcerated men of color."
Secretary Gorbea, United Way of R.I. Launch 2-1-1 Voter Information Hotline
"With Rhode Island’s September 8 primary and November 3 general election fast approaching, Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea today announced a partnership with Island to launch the state’s new 2-1-1 Voter Information Hotline."
United Way Sends $600,000 in ‘Rhode Island Recovers’ Grants to 41 Local Organizations to Support Continuity of Services
"Through a new funding program established to support nonprofits’ ability to continue their services to Rhode Islanders amid the COVID-19 crisis, United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) has sent $600,000 in ‘Rhode Island Recovers’ grants to 41 local organizations."
Exceeding Goal, 401Gives Raises $1.2 Million for R.I. Nonprofits in Single Day
"In a sign of unity that will impact the lives of tens of thousands of their neighbors, Rhode Islanders came together to raise a total of $1,252,786 during the first-ever 401Gives campaign powered by United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI)."
COVID-19 Response Fund awards $1.2 million in first round of grants to local nonprofits
"Less than two weeks after the Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island jointly established the COVID-19 Response Fund, the organizations today announced a first round of crisis response grants to local nonprofit organizations."
Calls to 2-1-1 for Help with Housing, Food, and Health Information Rose in 2019
"New data released today by United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) shows requests to its 2-1-1 call center for help with primary basic needs increased in 2019 compared to the previous year."