NONPROFIT RESOURCES
research and data sources relevant to our areas of focus
Building nonprofit resiliency, especially for organizations led by and serving people of color, is a strategic priority here at United Way of Rhode Island.
You’ll find information elsewhere in this section of our site about our current programs for nonprofits. (Run an afterschool or summer learning program? Make sure to join our Rhode Island Afterschool Network.)
Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island, a strategic partner co-located in our office, provides targeted support for nonprofits, including professional development programs, opportunities to engage and learn with funders, and connection with local and national resources.
Rhode Island equity and basic needs data
- DataSpark: Maps, infographics, and reports on issues United Way cares about. Go here before you re-create the wheel, or if you need some already processed data.
- RI DataHub (run by DataSpark): Data stories, data reports, and even a data catalog with info on adult education, housing, workforce, health, etc.
- RI Community Profiles: Information about each of Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns.
- Rhode Island KIDS COUNT:
Produces a comprehensive report that assesses child well-being in Rhode Island.
- Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): Reports on CCAP impact, etc.
- Rhode Island Afterschool Network: Professional development and practice information for youth-serving professionals.
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training: Data on wage rates and other labor stats.
- Economic Progress Institute: A go-to source for expert information on budget and policy issues impacting the economic well-being of Rhode Islanders.
- Latino Policy Institute: Studies that investigate issue areas impacting the Latino community and, in some cases, Rhode Island’s broader communities of color.
- University of Rhode Island Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America’s Hunger and Poverty Facts: Data and research on food insecurity and SNAP in Rhode Island.
- Rhode Island Food Bank Status Report on Hunger: National and local data on food insecurity (runs one year behind).
- HousingWorks RI: Online factbook, as well as information about housing trends, housing in Rhode Island’s cities and towns, affordable housing, and housing and the Affordable Care Act.
- American Community Survey by the United States Census Bureau: Broad range of data, both raw and processed, about Rhode Island and its various communities. (Many research and data entities use the ACS data as the basis of their work.)
- Brookings Institute: Wide array of materials from international to local; focuses largely on economics, cities, and policy.
- Pew Research Center: Research on numerous social issues. (This is a great place to begin the hunt for research and data on nearly any social topic.)
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development: Data on the United States and countries all over the world with particular indicators on demographics, debt, environmental issues, and much more.
- Racial Equity Tools: Tools, research, tips, curricula and ideas for people who want to increase their understanding and help those working toward justice at the organizational and systemic levels.
- National Equity Atlas: Detailed report card on racial and economic equity.
- US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health Policy and Data
- Loving Cities Index: Schott Foundation for Public Education dashboard on supports that provide children the opportunity to learn (Providence profile).
- Race in America 2019 (Pew Research Center)

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.
401Gives Returns in Just Two Weeks
Not only has United Way of Rhode Island set the effort’s most ambitious goal yet, aiming to raise $4.01 million. 401Gives also will enjoy its first ever “Weekend Edition” and take over the Ocean State beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday, March 31.
United Way Hosts 11th Children’s Book Drive
United Way of Rhode Island’s Children’s Book Drive is back! From April 1 – May 24, we’re teaming up with Women United and Books Are Wings to help Rhode Island children build their own libraries at home. Join us by buying and shipping books, dropping off books at one of our collection sites, or hosting a drive.
RI House of Representatives Housing Package
Contact: Michael J. Cerio | michael@ceriocommunications.com | (401) 743-8269 United Way of Rhode Island Statement on RI House of Representatives Housing Package From Cortney Nicolato, President and CEO, United Way of Rhode Island: “Progress toward addressing Rhode Island’s housing crisis is what our state needs now, and we are grateful to Speaker Shekarchi and the […]
UPCOMING EVENTS
Children’s Book Drive 2023
United Way of Rhode Island's Children's Book Drive is back! From April 1 - May 24, we're teaming up with Women United and Books Are Wings to help Rhode Island children build their own libraries at home. Want to donate books or host a drive with your family, friends, or coworkers? View our Children's Book Drive 2023 drop-off locations and Frequently Asked Questions at the link below.
Power of the Purse
United Way of Rhode Island's Women United invites you to join the fight for childhood literacy at our 8th annual Power of the Purse fundraiser.
Wednesday, May 24 | 5:30 to 8 p.m.Squantum Association, Riverside Spend an evening with dynamic women making a difference in Rhode Island, bidding on designer purses, and enjoying signature cocktails, appetizers, surprise raffles, and a wine wall. Tickets are $100. Don't miss this opportunity to support a good cause.