Everyday Equity

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 20, 2026) – Rhode Island’s utility shutoff moratorium has ended, putting households at risk of losing services if they have back bills from heating their home during the winter months. For families struggling with rising and volatile energy costs, they may be eligible for assistance through the Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund (GNEF).

Recently, the GNEF expanded its eligibility guidelines to be able to help more Rhode Islanders feeling the financial strain of elevated energy costs. Through May 9, households may qualify for assistance with income up to 350% of the Federal Poverty Level, an increase over the traditional 300% threshold. This change is significant as the GNEF is a safety net for families who already do not qualify for other federal and state programs, such as LIHEAP.

“Just because winter is over doesn’t mean families aren’t still concerned about their heating bills,” said Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island. “Prolonged cold, coupled with high energy costs created the perfect storm for our neighbors whose household budgets were already stretched to the limit. Now, those same families may be at risk of losing their gas or electric service as Rhode Island’s utility shutoff moratorium has ended.”

Eligibility for the GNEF is based on household size and total household income. With the expanded guidelines in place through May 9, a household of two may be eligible to receive help with an annual income up to $75,740 (previously $64,920). A family of four may qualify with income up to $155,500 (previously $99,000). The amount of assistance to households is determined by fuel type, including electricity, natural gas, oil, propane, wood/wood byproducts, and kerosene, and can provide one-time help of up to $825 per season.

Rhode Island households in need of home heating assistance due to a financial struggle should call United Way’s 211 helpline if they have general questions, want to determine eligibility, or to connect with their local Community Action Program (CAP) agency.

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Providence, R.I. (March 16, 2026) – With the April 15 tax filing deadline quickly approaching, United Way of Rhode Island is reminding eligible residents there is still time to have their federal and state tax returns prepared and filed for free.

The free tax preparation is available through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which is led by United Way of RI and offered at more than 20 community partner sites across the state. Households that earned $69,000 or less in 2025 may be eligible to have their tax returns prepared and filed at no cost.

Rhode Islanders with questions about VITA, their eligibility, locations, or scheduling an appointment should call 211. More than half of VITA sites offer services in both English and Spanish, and returns are filed electronically.

Through VITA, IRS-certified volunteers prepare federal and state income tax returns for working individuals and families for free. The program helps ensure taxpayers receive the refunds and credits they’ve earned, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which can reduce tax burden and increase refunds. Eligibility is based on income and household size.

VITA is especially important this year as taxpayers navigate IRS changes taking effect in 2026, including no longer issuing paper check refunds. The change requires taxpayers to have a bank account or another secure electronic option when they file. There are many Rhode Island households that are unbanked, and taxpayers who do not plan ahead could experience delays receiving their refund. VITA sites can help local taxpayers with these changes.

Last year, VITA prepared more than 22,000 federal and state tax returns in Rhode Island, helping working households receive $24 million in earned refunds and tax credits while saving on tax preparation and filing fees. VITA in Rhode Island is supported by partners Centreville Bank, Webster Bank, the IRS, and by the community’s generosity to United Way’s Community Impact Fund.

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Providence, R.I. (May 19, 2026) – In recognition of their extraordinary philanthropy and dedication to helping their fellow Rhode Islanders, Betsey Purinton and James English were presented with the Tocqueville United Award by United Way of Rhode Island. The couple was honored during a special donor celebration event on May 9 at the Roger Williams Park Lakeside Pavilion.

The Tocqueville United Award recognizes individuals whose values and dedication to community reflect the mission of United Way of RI, and whose generosity helps to make significant impact..

This year’s honorees, Betsey and her husband, Jim, have long demonstrated a deep and lasting commitment to service, education, and equity.

Betsey’s involvement with United Way began in 2012 when she joined Women United, then known as the Women’s Leadership Council, focusing her efforts on expanding educational opportunities for local children. She later served on the group’s executive committee before joining United Way’s Board of Directors and Community Advisory Board. During her time on the board, she co-chaired the Strategic Planning Committee, helping to shape the organization’s 2025 LIVE UNITED strategic plan.

Jim devoted his career to education and service. After teaching in New Hampshire and serving as a middle school administrator in New York City, he joined Moses Brown School in Providence, where he held leadership roles for more than two decades. Following his retirement, Jim continued his work with underserved communities, serving as an ESL instructor at Progreso Latino in Central Falls and teaching language at CCRI as an adjunct professor.

Together, Betsey and Jim dedicate their philanthropy to organizations focused on creating and advancing equitable opportunities for all. In addition to their support of United Way, the couple contributes to nonprofits focused on education, human services, and conservation.

“Betsey and Jim lead with generosity and purpose, and they exemplify what it means to LIVE UNITED,” said Jessica Barry, senior director of philanthropy for United Way of RI. “Their longstanding dedication to service and to investing in community has made a meaningful difference for countless Rhode Islanders, and we are honored to celebrate their impact.”

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Providence, R.I. (April 1, 2026) – In a year marked by funding uncertainty and evolving challenges for the nonprofit sector, Rhode Islanders stepped up once again during 401Gives, raising more than $5 million to support local organizations. The statewide giving initiative set new highs across the board, delivering a powerful statement that helps ensure vital programs and services have the resources to continue their work to stabilize families and strengthen our communities.

Over the course of 36 hours, 401Gives benefited 705 Rhode Island nonprofits, more than ever before, while inspiring 20,112 donors to make 32,544 gifts, each of which also broke previous records. During its seven years, the philanthropic effort has now raised more than $24 million.

“401Gives and the generosity shown by our Rhode Island neighbors is nothing short of extraordinary, to have pushed the bar even higher with another record-breaking year is incredible,” said Cortney Nicolato, United Way’s president and CEO. “This is significant funding for our nonprofits, dollars they didn’t have just days ago. At a time of real need, our neighbors rose to the occasion, underscoring what I’ve always known to be true… Rhode Islanders always have one another’s back.”

Donations began rolling in at 6 a.m. on March 31 and they kept coming. A $20,000 matching gift offered by the Papitto Opportunity Connection kicked off 401Gives, and the effort topped $1 million raised within its first few hours. Additional matching gifts from Rhode Island Energy, Rhode Island Foundation, Eastern Bank, and CapEx helped to drive significant bumps in activity as donors were eager to boost the impact of their philanthropy. This year’s 401Gives began a day early to honor Passover.

“From Woonsocket to Westerly and everywhere in between, nonprofits touch our lives every single day, and often in ways people don’t even realize,” said Caitlynn Douglas, who leads 401Gives for the organization. “To see the way our community rallies around 401Gives and supports organizations that are feeding families, caring for seniors, educating our children, protecting our environment, enriching the arts, and so much more is extremely powerful. We hope donors see 401Gives as the beginning of an ongoing relationship with nonprofits and more than just a day of giving.”

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The impact of this year’s 401Gives goes beyond any single measure of success. A total of 113 organizations raised $10,000 or more while 196 exceeded $5,000.

Among the highest fundraisers in the “large” nonprofit category were Newport’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center at $204,864 and Audubon Society of Rhode Island at $165,329. Partnership for Providence Parks led the way among “micro” organizations with $65,949 raised, while The Gordon School topped the “small” org list at $61,312 and School One led “medium” nonprofits with $81,165. A number of organizations exceeded their goals, including Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England topping $55,000.

The Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education engaged the highest number of donors at 519, with Foster Forward and Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance (AMOR) also among the leaders, inspiring 449 and 312 donors, respectively.

Held annually since debuting in 2020, 401Gives has become Rhode Island’s signature day of giving, mobilizing thousands of people to support the nonprofits that better communities across the state. It pays homage to the Ocean State’s only area code and is foundational to how local nonprofits raise funds to support their work. But 401Gives is about more than just donations; it is also about visibility, civic pride, and ensuring Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector is seen as essential to everyday life.

Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector accounts for 18 percent of the state’s total workforce, which reinforces how 401Gives supports a sector that touches our communities, neighborhoods, and the economy at the same time.

401Gives is powered by United Way of Rhode Island and its Alliance for Nonprofit Impact.

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United Way of Rhode Island is uniting our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. As a member of the world’s largest nonprofit network, we bring together individuals, business, nonprofit, community leaders and government to tackle the root causes of inequity and achieve specific, measurable goals. Our programs include 211, the statewide front door connecting Rhode Islanders with social services, resources, and vital programs. Both directly and through grants to nonprofits, we are investing to build economic opportunity, advance childhood learning, expand philanthropy, and to drive policy and participation. To learn more, visit unitedwayri.org, or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (March 11, 2026) – In response to the sudden, sharp increase in energy costs, the Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund (GNEF) is temporarily expanding eligibility guidelines to help more local households feeling the financial strain. Through May 9, households may qualify for GNEF assistance with income up to 350% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), an increase over the traditional 300% threshold.
For a household of two, this expansion means they may be eligible with an annual income up to $75,740 (previously $64,920), while a family of four may qualify with income up to $115,500 (previously $99,000). All other GNEF program rules remain the same; only income limits have changed.
The GNEF is a safety net for Rhode Islanders who do not qualify for federal and state assistance programs such as LIHEAP, but who find themselves in a situation where they need help to heat their home. Eligibility is based on household size and total household income.
Assistance to households are determined by fuel type, including electricity, natural gas, oil, propane, wood/wood byproducts, and kerosene, and can provide one-time help of up to $825 per heating season.
“We have seen a dramatic increase in calls to 211 from Rhode Islanders who suddenly find themselves in financial crisis as a result of skyrocketing prices of oil and home energy, this expansion is something we needed to do now,” said Cortney Nicolato, United Way of RI’s president and CEO. “Far too many of our neighbors were already living paycheck to paycheck and these higher costs are pushing them to the brink.”
Rhode Island households in need of home heating assistance due to a financial struggle should call United Way’s 211 helpline if they have general questions, want to determine eligibility, or to connect with their local Community Action Program (CAP) agency.