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 Questions With: Roshni Darnal
Providence Business News
Roshni Darnal is the director of community investments for United Way of Rhode Island... where she manages the organization's strategic direction to address the needs of Rhode Islanders through its grantmaking processes… Darnal spoke with Providence Business News about those grantmaking changes and what it means for the nonprofit community moving forward.

PBN announces 2023 Best Places to Work honorees
Providence Business News
Sixty-seven honorees, including United Way of Rhode Island, have been named by Providence Business News for its 2023 Best Places to Work Awards program... The honorees will be recognized June 7 for their efforts in a ceremony at Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick in Warwick, where the company rankings in each category will be announced.

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.
Statement on Rhode Island Afterschool Network Transition
United Way of Rhode Island is excited to announce that the Rhode Island Afterschool Network (RIAN) will expand its efforts effective October 1, 2023 with Rhode Island Foundation serving as its fiscal sponsor.
Sandra Mazo Appointed to Women United Global Council
The Washington Trust Company… today announced that Sandra Mazo, mortgage loan officer (NMLS # 269909), has been appointed to the Executive Committee for the Women United Global Leadership Council of United Way Worldwide. Women United® represents 55,000 members working with United Way in more than 200 communities across the globe. Sandra was nominated by United Way of Rhode Island.
Nancy Wolanski Hired as Director of Nonprofit Resource Center
United Way of Rhode Island has hired Nancy Wolanski as the inaugural director of the state’s new Nonprofit Resource Center. She assumed the role on Monday, July 31. Most recently, Nancy was executive director of the Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island.
UPCOMING EVENTS
97th Annual Celebration
You’re invited to join us as we celebrate another momentous year of making history, sharing stories, and honoring those who are making big moves in our small state.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island, 10 Sims Ave., Providence
This event is free and open to all. Registration is required.
For more information or assistance, email events@unitedwayri.org.