Young Leaders circle
Serve our community. Inspire change. Be a young leader.
The Young Leaders Circle brings the passion and philanthropic power of young professionals together to transform Rhode Island.
Young Leaders Circle provides robust opportunities to connect community-driven millennials who are eager to lead their peers, fundraise, and advocate to improve lives in our community.
A message from the Young Leaders Circle chair
The Young Leaders Circle is the largest networking group in the state for young professionals. However, what sets it apart from other professional organizations is the focus on philanthropy and community engagement.
Through our Learn with Leaders program, we have the chance to engage in small groups with these leaders at such major Rhode Island companies as FM Global, CVS, and Citizens Bank. Additionally, we have worked side-by-side with local leaders to give back to our community through volunteer work, advocacy projects, and fundraising events. Our volunteer work and philanthropy seeks to address some of the most challenging issues facing Rhode Islanders, including education and housing and food security.
The United Way, and the Young Leaders Circle specifically, have afforded me so many opportunities both personally and professionally, all within the context of giving back to the community. My favorite event is the annual Night is Young gala, where hundreds of young professionals join together each year to send students to the Summer Learning Program.
It is together that we will make Rhode Island a great place to live and work for everyone. I welcome you to join us.
Jacqueleen Mazick
Chair of the Young Leaders Circle
Benefits of Young Leaders Circle membership
Connecting with leaders
Grow personally and professionally by meeting a wide range of civic and business leaders through our events and Learn with Leaders series
Advocating for change
Learn about issues facing our community and join us in advocating for change
Engaging with others in a meaningful context
Connect with your community through year-round volunteer activities
Having fun while making a difference
Help host the Night Is Young, one of United Way’s largest fundraisers, to support summer learning
Which Young Leaders Circle level is right for you?
Young Leaders Circle Levels and Benefits
| Monthly Contribution to United Way of Rhode Island | General Free | Community Supporter $25 | Community Investor $50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional development with community leaders | |||
| Networking with community peers | |||
| Social events | |||
| Hands-on volunteer opportunities | |||
| Pre-event networking opportunities | |||
| Invitations to special Young Leaders Circle-only events | |||
| Advance access to ticketed events | |||
| Invitations to exclusive United Way sneak-peek events | |||
| Private table for you and your guests at events | |||
| Access to Impact Network events |
Young Leaders Circle members who contribute $80 or more per month ($1,000 per year) to United Way of Rhode Island automatically become Impact Network members.
There's no better time than the present to start making a difference.
Apply to be a part of the Young Leaders Circle Board.
Already a Young Leaders Circle member?
To keep up to date with all our activities, join our Facebook group.
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
Children’s Book Drive 2022
United Way of Rhode Island's Children's Book Drive is back! From April 1 - May 25, 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 2022 Frequently Asked Questions at the link below.
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.