Commit to equity
take meaningful action to address the issues of racial equity and justice
The data shows...
...at systemic inequities are the root causes of intergenerational poverty among people of color, here in Rhode Island as elsewhere in this country.
Until we can make sure everyone has an equal shot at the starting line, our state will never reach its full potential. We hope you’ll join us in this journey to make sure Rhode Island is a place where every individual in each community has equal opportunity for justice and prosperity.
What do we mean by "equity?"
Racial equity is a reality in which a person is no more or less likely to experience society’s benefits or burdens just because of the color of their skin.
We are united.
Hundreds of individuals and organizations throughout the state have already pledged to support our LIVE UNITED 2025 strategic plan and take meaningful action to address the issues of racial equity and justice in Rhode Island.
See our partners in equity.
Join Equity Challenge 2022
Ready to learn more about racial equity? Join United Way of Rhode Island's Equity Challenge 2022. You can start this free, self-guided learning journey when we launch on Feb. 28, 2022 or any time after that.
After registering, you'll receive an email each weekday for three weeks with resources, reflection questions, or actions you can take to help build a more equitable Rhode Island.
Each week will focus on a different theme.
- Week 1: The Basics
- Week 2: Deepening Our Understanding
- Week 3: Equity in Rhode Island
You don't need to have participated in our 21-Day Equity Challenge last year in order to join Equity Challenge 2022. If you did participate last year, Equity Challenge 2022 will be new and different.
Want to start an Equity Challenge 2022 discussion group? United Way partnered with Kristin Cassarino, a dedicated Rhode Island public school educator and equity advocate, to create a facilitator's guide. Request it here.
If you're a corporate group interested in signing up after Feb. 28, please contact Janice Pothier-Pac for help with registration.
Please join us by signing this pledge:
"We commit to stand with the United Way of Rhode Island to unite our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. We pledge to take meaningful action to address the issues of racial equity and justice in Rhode Island."
learn about equity
How to be anti-racist, by Ibram X. Kendi
How to be less stupid about race: On racism, white supremacy, and the racial divide, by Crystal M. Fleming
Me and white supremacy: Combat racism, change the world, and become a good ancestor, by Layla F. Saad
This book is anti-racist: 20 lessons on how to wake up, take action, and to the work, by Tiffany Jewell
So you want to talk about race? by Ijeoma Oluo
Why are all the Black kids sitting together in the cafeteria? And other conversations about race, by Beverly Daniel Tatum
The color of law: A forgotten history of how our government segregated America, by Richard Rothstein
The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander
Just mercy: A story of justice and redemption, by Bryan Stevenson
How to teach kids about racism: A guide on how to educate your child about diversity and being antiracist, by Rebecca J. Jackson
An Indigenous peoples’ history of the United States for young people, by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Stamped: Racism, antiracism, and you: A remix of the national book award-winning stamped from the beginning, by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance (AMOR)
Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education
Center for Leadership and Educational Equity
Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE)
EduLeaders of Color Rhode Island
NAACP Providence Branch
Parents Leading for Educational Equity
Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM)
Rhode Island Black Business Association
Rhode Island Black Heritage Society
Rhode Island Coalition of Black Women
Form Symbiotic Nonprofit Relationships
Forbes Nonprofit Council
"If not done carefully, a business relationship has the potential to hinder rather than help the work being done by both organizations. To prevent collaborations that hinder nonprofit work, 11 members of Forbes Nonprofit Council, including Cortney Nicolato, United Way of Rhode Island's president and CEO, share how nonprofit leaders can form mutually beneficial relationships with a partner or another organization."
Nonprofit Center Design Team Announced
GoLocalProv
"United Way of Rhode Island announced on Tuesday the... members of a 'Design Team' that will be tasked with co-creating a vision and plan for... a Nonprofit Resource Center... 'We had a strong application response, and [these] individuals particularly stood out for their collection of unique insights and commitment to collaboration,' said Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way."
401Gives raises $3.09M for 507 nonprofits
Providence Business News
"This year's 401Gives Day raised the bar, once again, in supporting the state's nonprofit sector. As of Monday afternoon, the annual online fundraising initiative raised $3.09M, breaking last year's record total by close to a million dollars. It also saw a record number of donors – 12,850 in total as of 2:15 p.m. Monday – and number of organizations supported at 507, exceeding last year's mark by 87."
Seeking Input for Nonprofit Resource Center
“The Design Team working with United Way of Rhode Island to create a vision and plan for a statewide Nonprofit Resource Center is seeking input from the community to help guide what the center could offer. The first virtual session will look at current nonprofit capacity, followed by a number of visioning sessions focused on brainstorming strategies to strengthen nonprofits.”
Olneyville Community Fund RFP Released
“Continuing its commitment to strengthening the neighborhood it calls home, United Way of Rhode Island has released a request for proposal (RFP) for funding from its Olneyville Community Fund. More than $100,000 in grants is being made available to nonprofits located in Olneyville and those whose work specifically serves the Olneyville community.”
11 Leaders Selected for Design Team
“Work to create a Nonprofit Resource Center to support Rhode Island organizations is picking up steam with the selection of the members of the Design Team that will be tasked with cocreating a vision and plan for what the effort will look like. United Way of Rhode Island… has named 11 nonprofit leaders to the team.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
Visioning Session: Capacity Building Effort
United Way of Rhode Island is partnering with local nonprofit leaders to design a nonprofit resource hub for organizations across the state. Join us for a virtual, 90-minute visioning session to brainstorm strategies to address the needs of Rhode Island nonprofits and structural inequities in the sector. There will be five sessions — choose the one that best fits your schedule.
Day of Action
Join United Way of Rhode Island for Day of Action on Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m at United Way in Providence. We'll be sorting, labeling, and preparing books collected during our Children's Book Drive 2022 for distribution to kids in afterschool and summer learning programs. Three shifts are available — 9 - 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., and 2 - 4 p.m. This is a family friendly volunteer opportunity.
The Night Is Young
Don't miss the largest young professionals event of the year! Join United Way's Young Leaders Circle for The Night Is Young on Saturday, June 18 from 7 - 11 p.m. at Skyline at Waterplace. Register now to get early bird tickets for $45.