United Way and its Alliance for Nonprofit Impact know that our communities depend on strong nonprofits, and nonprofits depend on strong leaders.
The Alliance is proud to offer several programs to help current and emerging nonprofit leaders:
Executive Director Learning Circle (EDLC)
Designed for executive directors of organizations with annual budgets under $5 million, the EDLC is a year-long cohort program covering critical issues like board engagement, fund development, risk management, and the alignment of mission, staff and strategies.
Using a coaching approach focused on current challenges facing participants, lead facilitator Michael Fournier uses the cohort-based approach to not only grow skills and knowledge, but also to build a relational network for leaders in what is often isolating work.
Michael has provided consulting to grassroots nonprofits for almost a decade. His areas of expertise are capacity building and executive coaching. Before serving as a consultant, Michael spent 35 years with the YMCA in New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
EDLC runs on a calendar year schedule, with new cohorts starting in January.
For more information, contact Alliance@unitedwayri.org.
Sponsored by Bank Newport
Deputy Director Learning Circle
The Deputy Director Learning Circle is an interactive, cohort-based program designed to provide support, resources and peer learning for leaders of nonprofit organizations with budgets less than $5 million. The new cohort will start on August 8, 2025 and will meet every second Friday of the month from 8:30-11:30am, through June 2026, at United Way of Rhode Island (50 Valley Street, Providence).
Program format
Each session includes competency topics, group discussions, and practical scenario sharing. Participants gain real-life experience and explore a variety of topics, including:
- Strategy development and implementation
- Board development and engagement
- Staffing and priority alignment
- Comprehensive fund development
- Risk management and emergency preparedness
Lead facilitator
Michael Fournier has provided consulting to grassroots nonprofits for more than a decade. His areas of expertise are capacity building and executive coaching. Before serving as a consultant, Michael spent 35 years with the YMCA. He held senior leadership roles in Manchester, New Hampshire and Providence, Rhode Island.
Commitment and finances
Participants commit to some minor preparation before sessions.
There is no cost to take part in this program. Upon completion, each graduate’s organization will receive a grant of $1,500. The grant will go toward an organizational goal identified at the outset of the program.
Application process
Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort are now open and the deadline to apply is June 4, 2025.
If you have any questions about the DDLC or application process, please email us at alliance@unitedwayri.org.
Feedback from recent participants
Kate Lentz, director, Rhode Island Center for the Book
"Most nonprofit workshops I have attended present static models of best practices that smaller organizations either have to scale down to meet their organizational needs or do not have the resources to fulfill. Executive Director Learning Circle meets you where you are. Each session was a helpful blend of real-life experience, concrete takeaways, and inspiration. The third Friday of every month became a sacred space where we could share frustrations and successes, find immediate solutions for our real-time problems and glean advice from successful leaders from across our state."
Kristen Williams, Ph.D., executive director, Riverzedge Arts
“Executive directors working at small non-profits often wear many hats! Meeting monthly with Michael Fournier and the incredibly supportive group of peers assembled by United Way gave me the encouragement I needed to take on and resolve difficult issues in ways that best fit the mission of Riverzedge Arts. Each month, we discussed a different facet of non-profit leadership with an expert in the field, providing us opportunities not only to learn, but also to engage with the broader non-profit community. And since everyone in my cohort identified as female, I was extremely grateful that Michael not only made room for, but also encouraged, thoughtful discussions about the ways our roles as executive directors and our personal identities (gender, sex, dis/ability, race, etc.) intersected. At a time when equity and inclusivity are rightly being brought to the fore, Michael and United Way modeled those values in convening and supporting this group.”
Kate Sayles, Executive Director of Rhode Island Land Trust:
My experience in the EDLC program has been truly transformative so far. One of the most helpful skills I developed through my participation in the EDLC program is thinking through strategies for success. Michael’s expertise and guidance on board recruitment and retention, as well as his strategies for getting board members to engage in fundraising, have been particularly impactful. The practical advice on building a successful annual fundraising campaign is something I’ve already started to implement with promising results.
The program has significantly impacted my work by fostering a strong network of peers with similar experiences. The EDLC Cohort has become not only a valuable group to share experiences with, but a community that I am growing to think of as a group of friends. The monthly meetings provide a platform for us to share our challenges and successes, and to learn from each other’s experiences. The collaborative environment has been incredibly beneficial, allowing us to stay in touch outside of class, share job descriptions, best practices, and our experiences with consultants.
Overall, the EDLC program has been a game-changer for me, equipping me with the knowledge, skills, and network to lead my organization more effectively. I am confident that the lessons learned and the connections made through this program will have a lasting impact on the RI Land Trust Council's work and our community.
Alliance Academy
The Alliance Academy is an online, self-paced course platform, where Alliance members can access certification and professional courses at a discount. Ranging from a Nonprofit Management or Grantwriting certificate program, to marketing, management, human resources and cybersecurity, the Alliance Academy offerings are perfect for nonprofit staff who need a flexible schedule. Most of the courses also offer continuing education credits from credentialing organizations such as SHRM, PMI, and CFRE.
Learn more about the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact and Join Today!
More than farming, Southside Community Land Trust is a lifeline for RI families: Commentary
According to The Economic Progress Institute, it costs a single-parent family in Rhode Island $83,239 a year to raise two children. A two-parent household needs $92,375. Even a single adult must earn nearly $40,000 just to meet the basics. With costs this high, families are forced to make impossible choices – often between housing, utilities and food, let alone nutritious, wholesome food.
This burden falls hardest on communities already impacted by systemic inequities – particularly Black, Indigenous, immigrant, elderly and low-income families living in food deserts. In these neighborhoods, access to fresh, affordable and culturally appropriate food is limited or nonexistent. Neighborhood bodegas, while a community staple, offer a limited quantity of produce. Grocery stores and farmers markets are scarce. Too often, fast food is the only consistent option.
Behind every dollar cut in funding for a nonprofit such as Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT) is a story: A farmer and a community will suffer the repercussions of not having enough food on their table. And in the case of the recent funding loss to SCLT, they are cutting the roots of a deeply connected, community-grown food system.
It’s time to broaden view of what nonprofits really are. Hope & Main shows how
I’ve spent the majority of my life immersed in the nonprofit sector, and one of the most common misconceptions is that they’re often placed beneath a "social services" umbrella. That narrow view couldn’t be further from the truth.
When nonprofits are seen only as organizations that address basic needs, it’s a limited perception that overlooks their far-reaching influence. They are the heartbeat of our communities, enhancing and influencing our daily lives in ways many do not even notice.
Nonprofits can be found everywhere – from youth sports leagues and museums to community gardens, arts foundations and public media. Your niece’s town soccer team? They’re part of a nonprofit. Enjoying a WaterFire lighting, hiking at a preserve or watching PBS on a quiet evening? Those experiences are made possible by nonprofits as well. They’re also economic engines, civic leaders and innovation hubs. Sometimes, they’re all of those things at once.
Volunteers Needed for “Day of Action” on June 7 to Help Prepare Donated Books for Distribution to Local Children
Providence, R.I. (May 27, 2025) – United Way of Rhode Island’s annual “Day of Action” is quickly approaching, and the organization is looking for additional volunteers to help prepare thousands of donated books for distribution to local children. The event is one of United Way’s largest volunteer-driven initiatives of the year to improve childhood literacy.
“Day of Action” will take place on Saturday, June 7, at United Way’s 50 Valley Street headquarters in Providence, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is a fun, family-friendly event and provides a great opportunity for individuals needing community service hours for school or professional development.
During “Day of Action,” volunteers will help with sorting, labeling, and packaging thousands of books collected during United Way’s recent Children’s Book Drive in partnership with Books Are Wings, whose mission is to put free books in the hands of kids. Thanks to the drive’s many partners, community drop-off locations, and collections organized by businesses, schools, and other groups, the effort has thus far collected more than 10,000 books.
Once the books are ready for their new homes, Books Are Wings will distribute them to children across Rhode Island through summer learning and afterschool programs.
Volunteers on “Day of Action” will receive United Way “UNITED IS THE WAY” t-shirts and refreshments, including a pizza lunch at 12:15 p.m. Families and children are welcome and encouraged to participate; those aged 16 and under must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.
If you would like to volunteer, or if you have questions, please contact Lori DiMatteo at Lori.DiMatteo@unitedwayri.org. Volunteers may also us this link to register.
Over the past decade, United Way’s Children’s Book Drive has provided more than 300,000 books to kids throughout the Ocean State.
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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.
United Way Recognizes the Tireless Work of Rhode Island’s Nonprofits, Honors Local Champions at 99th Annual Celebration
In a year marked by division and financial strain across the nonprofit sector, United Way of Rhode Island’s 99th Annual Celebration became a declaration of unity and a call to protect the institutions and individuals who form the backbone of community care.
Rhode Island Kicks-Off State Employee Giving Campaign in Support of United Way, Local Nonprofits
More than 17,000 public servants invited to give back through the campaign, which has raised $2.6 million over the last ten years alone Providence, R.I. (September 30, 2025) – The State of Rhode Island has officially launched its annual State Employee Charitable Giving Campaign in support of United Way of RI and local nonprofits. The […]
Local Leaders join United Way’s Community Advisory Board
Providence, R.I. (September 15, 2025) – United Way of Rhode Island has bolstered its Community Advisory Board, appointing two new members to serve on the volunteer leadership group. The advisory board is a diverse collection of industry leaders who come together to lend their expertise and unique experiences and insights to help United Way align […]
UPCOMING EVENTS
Impact Groups Nonprofit Panel- Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis: Advocacy, Investment, and Disrupting Barriers
Emerging Leaders and Women United with United Way Rhode Island invite you to a powerful evening focused on how we can work together to address Rhode Island’s youth mental health crisis.
This in-person panel will bring together youth advocates, nonprofit partners, and community leaders to explore how advocacy, investment, and collaboration can strengthen family stability, empower youth, and disrupt barriers to care. Together, we’ll highlight innovative community solutions and inspire collective action through philanthropy, volunteerism, and policy engagement—all to build a healthier, more equitable future for Rhode Island’s next generation.
https://uwriweb.org/comm/SinglePageRegEvent.jsp?EventKeyHex=3136383234
Join the Family Caregiver Alliance of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging, and United Way of Rhode Island at the 7th Annual Family Caregiver Alliance Conference
This year's theme is: "Together in Care: Stories, Strength, and Support"
This two-day event will be held on Friday, November 14 from 9:00 am to 12:30pm and Saturday, November from 9:00 am to 2:00pm in the RISD Washington Place Auditorium located at 20 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903 - Free parking will be available for registered participants.
Whether you care for a loved one, support a friend, work in health or social services, or advocate for caregivers, this conference offers valuable resources and connection.
The event is free and open to all, but space is limited. Please register for the days you wish to attend.
Who Is a Family Caregiver?
Family caregivers are everywhere. The FCARI supports youth, grandparents, friends, or neighbors who step up to help someone they care about.
That includes those who:
-Support a loved one with a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability (ID/DD)
-Provide care for someone living with dementia, cancer, or another serious illness
-Help an older adult with daily tasks
-Care for a child or youth with complex needs
Links for registration:
Day One https://uwriweb.org/comm/SinglePageRegEvent.jsp?EventKeyHex=3136373734
Day Two: https://uwriweb.org/comm/SinglePageRegEvent.jsp?EventKeyHex=3136373832