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.
Already a Young Leaders Circle member?
To keep up to date with all our activities, join our Facebook group.
Zoning laws hindering housing construction
The Boston Globe
"Cortney Nicolato, the CEO of United Way of Rhode Island and another member of the special legislative commission, said most of the state’s land use enabling legislation was written in 1991... 'When you have 100 amendments in a 30-year legislation, it's clearly not working... The housing crisis cannot be truly transformed until we tackle systemic barriers, like zoning laws and land use.'"
McKee Proposes $250 Million for Housing
GoLocalProv
"Our state's housing crisis is significant and must be a priority in the budget. But just as important, the investment needs to combine with transformational change in the systems surrounding housing as a whole," said Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island.
Community Focus: United Way/Kyle Bennett
WPRI 12
"Director of Policy and Equity for United Way of Rhode Island Kyle Bennett joined 12 News at 4 to discuss the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, how many families benefited from it, and what residents can do to help."
Voting Begins for Nonprofit Innovation Lab
“Following months of honing their innovative ideas to create positive social impact in our state, leaders of six nonprofits will make their pitch to Rhode Islanders via brief videos in hopes of winning the Public Choice Award of the Nonprofit Innovation Lab. The voting opens Jan. 19 and ends on Jan. 24, with the winning organization receiving $5,000 in funding.”
Leaders Selected for ED Learning Circle
“Leaders of 11 local nonprofits have been selected by United Way of Rhode Island as fellows for its next Executive Director Learning Circle series. The year-long program takes an innovative approach to building the capacity of, and strengthening, the state’s nonprofit sector.”
211: On the Line
“It’s been very, very difficult at times,” shares Evelyn Cabrera, a senior community resource specialist and team leader for United Way 211 in Rhode Island. “But I couldn’t be more proud of our work and the ways we’ve been there to help our fellow Rhode Islanders throughout this crisis.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
National 211 Day Celebration
Join United Way of Rhode Island for our National 211 Day Celebration on Friday, Feb. 11 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Together, we're celebrating our 211 team who is always there, our donors who make it possible to answer each call, and our community partners who help callers get the services they need. This is a free, virtual event.
Equity Challenge 2022
Ready to learn more about racial equity? Join our Equity Challenge 2022. You can start when we launch on Feb. 28, 2022 or anytime after that. After registering, you'll receive an email each weekday for three weeks with resources, reflection questions, and actions you can take to help create a more equitable Rhode Island.