Nonprofit Resource Center
In response to the crucial need to support the state’s nonprofits and the essential work they provide our neighbors day in and day out, United Way of Rhode Island and the larger nonprofit community are co-creating a central resource center aimed at strengthening the sector as a whole.
The effort is guided by an 11-member Design Team who is actively engaging the broader nonprofit community to understand challenges and opportunities faced by the state mission-driven organizations.
Once established, a Nonprofit Resource Center will be able to serve the Ocean State’s entire nonprofit ecosystem. Where the effort is being designed to be inclusive and accessible for all social impact organizations, there is particular commitment to centering the voices and priorities of BIPOC-led, and small and midsize nonprofits.
Share your Ideas
We want to hear from you! There are two great ways to share your thoughts on how a nonprofit resource center can serve the nonprofit community.
The Design Team
The Design Team will create a vision and pilot plan for a sustained effort to strengthen the capacity of Rhode Island nonprofits—in particular small and BIPOC-led organizations—so that nonprofits have what they need to continue providing vital services in our communities and pushing for systemic change. Design Team members include:
- Tarshire Battle, Roots 2Empower
- Rikki Davis, RIOT Rhode Island
- Angelo Garcia, Segue Institute for Learning
- Roberto Gonzalez, STEAM Box
- Anthony Hubbard, YouthBuild Preparatory Academy
- Rakia Islam, Refugee Dream Center
- Niko Merritt, Sankofa Community Connection
- James Monteiro, Reentry Campus Program
- Tina Pedersen, RAMP
- Jo-Ann Schofield, Mentor Rhode Island
- Kristen Williams, Riverzedge Arts
The Process
Completed:
- December 2021 - January 2022 - United Way of Rhode Island secures funding from Papitto Opportunity Connection and Rhode Island Commerce to support the planning process. Hires Community Wealth Partners to facilitate the design process and Deb Linnell to conduct nationwide research on models for nonprofit resource centers.
- January 2022 - United Way of Rhode Island makes call for design team members.
- March 2022 - Design Team selected (see above) and begins bi-weekly meetings.
- April - July 2022 - Design Team conducts interviews, stakeholder research, focus groups, and visioning sessions to gather feedback from the community.
Upcoming:
- August 2022 - Design Team to release key findings from research and listening process.
- August - November 2022 - Design Team creates and releases business and organizational plan for Nonprofit Resource Center.