NEWSROOM
Five Questions With: Roshni Darnal
Providence Business News
Roshni Darnal is the director of community investments for United Way of Rhode Island... where she manages the organization's strategic direction to address the needs of Rhode Islanders through its grantmaking processes… Darnal spoke with Providence Business News about those grantmaking changes and what it means for the nonprofit community moving forward.
PBN announces 2023 Best Places to Work honorees
Providence Business News
Sixty-seven honorees, including United Way of Rhode Island, have been named by Providence Business News for its 2023 Best Places to Work Awards program... The honorees will be recognized June 7 for their efforts in a ceremony at Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick in Warwick, where the company rankings in each category will be announced.
Five Qs With: Anthony Botelho
Providence Business News
Anthony Botelho serves as senior vice president of commercial banking and team leader for the commercial and industrial group at The Washington Trust Co. He was recently appointed to lead the bank’s commercial lending growth in Connecticut, where the company recently opened a New Haven commercial lending office. Anthony also serves on United Way of Rhode Island's Board of Directors.
Rethinking how one of R.I.’s largest nonprofits can grow
The Boston Globe
In October, [Idrees "Lanre"] Ajakaiye was appointed the new chief development officer at... United Way of Rhode Island where he'll be in charge of helping... United Way achieve its current strategic plan, which outlines the nonprofit's investment of $100 million over five years to help achieve racial equity.
City Council gives final approval to $10M reparations budget
Providence Business News
A two-yearslong effort to bring racial reparations to Providence achieved a milestone Wednesday... The approved funding largely mirrors recommendations set forth by a city panel based on community input, but with one major change that shifts some money into a COVID-19 Equity Fund to be managed by United Way of Rhode Island.
How you can save money amidst Rhode Island Energy rate hike
ABC6
With rates rising starting Oct. 1, Rhode Islanders have many ways to save money and energy this fall... [For] anyone... need[ing]... financial assistance... United Way of Rhode Island’s 211 service may help... 'We’re here to help the community navigate resources,' said Courtney Smith, director of... 211... The service is available online at 211 United Way of Rhode Island or over the phone.
Program aims to reverse learning loss
WPRI
For 30 hours a week for six weeks, the Summer Learning Initiative gives students the opportunity to learn in fun and out-of-the-box ways... "There’s ways to be able to explore and be creative without feeling like they are falling farther and farther behind, which I think a lot of youth are feeling right now because of the pandemic," [Marlene] Guay said.
Summer energy bill assistance is available
The Westerly Sun
The Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund is open to all eligible Rhode Island households experiencing financial difficulty and [needing] assistance with energy expenses, even in the summer. The fund is sponsored by Rhode Island Energy, Block Island Utility District, Ocean State Power, Pascoag Utility District, Petro Home Services and RISEC LP and administered by United Way of Rhode Island.
10 Ways Nonprofits Can Influence Giving
Forbes Nonprofit Council
As nonprofits seek out donations, leveraging... win-win opportunities can be an effective way to further the social goals of the nonprofit and potential donors. Below, a panel of experts from Forbes Nonprofit Council, including Cortney Nicolato, United Way of Rhode Island's president and CEO, each share one... strategy nonprofit leaders can leverage to influence major corporations to support community-serving efforts.
Final Pitch Event for Nonprofit Innovation Lab Set for Feb. 1
The stage is set. On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the latest Nonprofit Innovation Lab will culminate as 10 Rhode Island organizations make their final pitch for a chance to secure seed funding to help bring their unique program idea to life. The program showcase and pitch night will be held at The Guild in Pawtucket beginning at 5 p.m.
Local Nonprofits Can Register Now to Participate in 401Gives
After a record-breaking year that saw more than 13,000 Rhode Islanders come together to make donations totaling $3.1 million in support of hundreds of local nonprofits, 401Gives is gearing up for a return on April 1 with sights set higher than ever. Nonprofits that wish to participate and raise funds for their work are invited to register now.
Nonprofit Executives Complete United Way Learning Circle
Leaning into an innovative opportunity to better their organizations and… strengthen the ability of the state’s nonprofit sector to serve Rhode Islanders, a group of 11 nonprofit leaders recently completed United Way’s Executive Director Learning Circle… The fellows spent a year in the program, and their achievement was celebrated on Dec. 16 during a gathering at United Way’s Providence office.
BCBSRI Commits $1.5 Million to Expand Impact of 211
As part of an effort to improve the health of all Rhode Islanders, United Way of Rhode Island has upgraded the capabilities of its 211 service with a focus on linking health and social care providers around individuals with complex needs. In support of this work… Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island has committed $1.5 million in funding.
United Way of Rhode Island Makes $3M Available to Nonprofits
A total of $3 million in annual funding is being made available to nonprofits across the Ocean State by United Way of Rhode Island. The grants will be awarded from the organization’s Community Impact Fund to nonprofits whose work advances United Way’s mission of building racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders.
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.