Apply for grants

Apply for grants

Partnering with local nonprofits to achieve our strategic goals

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program

United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) has been a proud partner in the statewide Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Campaign since 2005. The VITA program provides low- and middle-income individuals and families with no-cost tax preparation. UWRI funding for sites is provided as part of a Lift United Pillar of the LIVE UNITED 2025 Strategic Plan.  United Way invests in a continuum of services designed to create equity and income stability for individuals and families, including a focus on economic mobility, affordable housing and education.

United Way of Rhode Island staff will hold two virtual 60-minute information sessions on:

  • Monday, September 10th at 9:00 AM
  • Monday, September 16th at 3:30 PM

The information sessions will provide an overview of the VITA grant opportunity, a walk-through of the grant application platform, what to expect with respect to evaluation and learning, and an overview of the application process and anticipated timeline. There will also be time for Q&A.

Email Josselyn Velasquez-Florian at josselyn.velasquez@unitedwayri.org to RSVP and to receive a link for the meeting.

Proposals will be reviewed by a committee comprised of United Way of Rhode Island staff, volunteers, board members, members of our community investments committee and senior leadership. Using a scoring rubric, the review committee will evaluate proposals and submit their recommendations to the Community Investment Committee.

Application is due September 24, 2024, at 11:59 PM.

United Way of Rhode Island may reach out to hold follow-up phone calls or virtual meetings with applicants, if necessary. Please be sure to include up-to-date contact information in the grant application.

The United Way of Rhode Island will notify applicants of funding decisions in October 2024.

Our grantmaking focus

United Way of Rhode Island makes grants consistent with our mission: Uniting our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. We are committed to leveraging all of our assets (i.e., advocacy, convening, fundraising, strategic investments, and awareness building) to create a more equitable Rhode Island. Much of our work is done in collaboration with grantees and other partners. We strive to engage with our grantees and partners in a spirit of trust, candid communication, and transparency. Our collective efforts also depend on the support and resources of governments, the private sector, communities, and individuals.

We primarily make grants to 501(c)(3) public charities. We also make grants to support organizations or projects that work with qualifying fiscal sponsors. We do not make grants to individuals or for scholarships. It is also rare for United Way of Rhode Island to fund capital projects.

United Way of Rhode Island supports a diverse set of grantee partners across our program areas. See examples of recent grantees here.

For each round of grants, we issue a request for proposal (RFP) that outlines the work we are funding, the amounts of grants, the application process, and how we measure and evaluate results.

Sponsorships

We provide sponsorships for events and organizations on a limited basis. If you have an event or program and are looking for sponsorship, please fill out the sponsorship form at the link below.

The request for proposals (RFP) for our 2023-2026 Community Impact Fund Grants is now closed.

United way's strategic pillars

From 2021 through 2025, United Way of Rhode Island’s investments and work will be organized around the four pillars and respective focus areas outlined in the LIVE UNITED 2025 strategic plan.

Achieve United

Our "Achieve United" pillar is about advancing childhood learning. Its focus is early childhood literacy and out-of-school time learning programs.

Learn more

Advocate United

Our "Advocate United" pillar is about driving public policy. Our areas of focus include state and municipal policy, advocacy and research.

Learn more

Lift United

Our "Lift United" pillar concerns building economic security, including housing, workforce development, and adult education.

Learn more

Invest United

Our "Invest United" pillar involves expanding philanthropy. It's focus areas include nonprofit capacity building, resilience and diversity.

Learn more

401gives-logo-vertical

Additional funding and capacity building support

United Way of Rhode Island’s strategic goals include both increasing the number of Rhode Island nonprofits in stable financial condition and increasing the amount of Rhode Island households that contribute to charities. We raise millions of dollars a year for local nonprofits via our workplace campaigns and 401Gives. In these programs, donors designate gifts for the qualifying nonprofits of their choice.

  • Workplace campaign donors may select any 501c3 and nonprofits do not solicit gifts; learn more about our workplace campaigns here.
  • Nonprofits elect to participate in 401Gives and may actively solicit designated contributions; learn more about raising money via 401Gives here.

Designated funds from workplace campaigns are distributed through our agency portal and 401Gives through the GiveGab dashboard. Agencies may reach the agency portal the login link at the top of our webpages. 

Our capacity building support includes mobilizing volunteers, professional development (notably, the Executive Director Learning Circle), and the Grantmakers' Council and other resources.

Untitled design (6)

United Way of Rhode Island impulsa la equidad y el compromiso cívico

United Way of Rhode Island impulsa la equidad y el compromiso cívico

En una reciente entrevista en 12 Informa, María Elena Wah-Fitta, Manager of Brand Voice en United Way of Rhode Island, destacó los esfuerzos de la organización para promover la equidad racial y apoyar a las comunidades más vulnerables del estado.

READ ON SITE

Headshot of Kyle Bennett.

Bennett Named Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer

GoLocalProv

Kyle Bennett, who has long been at the forefront of United Way of Rhode Island's legislative and policy work, has been promoted to the organization's Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer. Most recently, he served as senior director of public policy and equity, and joined United Way in 2006.

READ ON SITE

Courtney_Bourns_Headshot-transformed-1365x2048

Grantmakers Council of R.I. names Bourns new executive director

PBN

Courtney Bourns, who has served as a strategy and program consultant for multiple foundations across the country for the last six years, has been named the new executive director for the Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island, the financial support nonprofit announced Tuesday.

VIEW ON SITE

United Way Honors Local Champions at 98th Annual Celebration

It’s been a year of creating a stronger, more equitable Rhode Island, and as United Way used its 98th Annual Celebration to cast light on the change made possible when our community works together, the organization also honored local champions who have gone above and beyond in service.

United Way of Rhode Island Receives $20,000 from Point32Health Foundation to Support “United We Vote RI” Campaign

Providence, R.I. (October 15, 2024) – United Way of Rhode Island has received $20,000 from Point32Health Foundation to support its ongoing “United We Vote RI” campaign as the November election draws closer. The grant is part of a larger investment by the foundation to support advocacy work to promote policies that include the perspective of […]

United Way of Rhode Island Elects New Members to its Board of Directors

United Way of Rhode Island has installed a slate of five new members to its Board of Directors, each bringing a unique and powerful perspective to the organization and its mission to create opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. Read more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Join us at the 6th Annual Family Caregivers Alliance of RI Conference

Our Voices, Our Stories: Centering the Unique Needs
of Caregivers in Rhode Island (more…)

Early Voting Begins October 16 - Questions? Call 211