Community Stories

Systemic inequities drive intergenerational poverty, especially for people of color. That’s why equity, particularly racial equity, must guide policy decisions at every level of government. Through Advocate United, we have advanced systemic change by shaping public policy, using data and research to inform solutions, training Rhode Islanders to become effective advocates, and working to increase voter participation across the state.

Advocacy and Systems Change 

Addressing Rhode Island’s most pressing challenges requires more than programs and services, it demands systems-level change. That is the heart of Advocate United. 

Over the past five years, United Way of Rhode Island has worked to address the root causes of inequities by focusing on policy, funding, and decision-making structures that affect families every day. We have used data to highlight disparities in housing, education, and economic mobility, and we have supported coalitions to ensure the voices of those most affected are part of shaping solutions. 

We have collaborated with partners on housing legislation, advocated for funding for afterschool and summer learning programs, and built support for racial and economic equity in state budget priorities. We have also invested in research that gives policymakers and community leaders the information they need to make decisions based on solid data. 

We have learned that systems change requires persistence, partnerships, and community voice at every step. By embedding equity into legislation, budget priorities, and advocacy campaigns, Advocate United ensures that Rhode Island’s progress rests on a foundation of justice and opportunity for all. 

These wins reflect years of coalition-building, testimony, and advocacy. They also show what’s possible when policy, philanthropy, and community voice work together toward a common goal: a Rhode Island where every family has the chance to thrive.   

Advocacy 101 and Civic Participation 

Policy change only lasts if more Rhode Islanders have the tools to shape it. That’s why we launched Advocacy 101—a free training series helping residents, nonprofit leaders, and volunteers understand the legislative process and become effective advocates. 

Since 2021, hundreds of participants have learned how to track bills, meet with legislators, and testify at the State House. Many now lead advocacy efforts in housing, education, racial equity, and economic security. 

At the same time, United Way has worked to expand civic participation through voter registration drives, multilingual outreach, and partnerships with the Let RI Vote coalition. These efforts contributed to thousands of new voter registrations and increased turnout in communities historically underrepresented at the polls 

By combining advocacy skills with civic engagement, Advocate United helps ensure Rhode Island’s future is shaped by the voices of those most affected by its policies. 

Strong leadership is the backbone of strong nonprofits. Yet, too often, Rhode Island’s grassroots organizations—especially those led by and serving communities of color—lack access to the resources, networks, and professional development that help leaders thrive.

That’s why the Executive Director Learning Circle (EDLC) and the Deputy Director Learning Circle (DDLC) were created as a cornerstone project of the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact under our Live United 2025 commitment to Invest United. These 10-month, cohort-based programs are free to participants and designed to strengthen nonprofit resiliency while cultivating a more diverse pipeline of leaders.

The impact has been powerful. Since 2021, 106 nonprofit leaders have graduated from the Learning Circles. Participants consistently report significant growth in their skills and confidence, as well as new networks of peers who understand the unique challenges of nonprofit leadership. Many graduates have already advanced into executive leadership roles, proving that the program is preparing the next generation of leaders to carry Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector forward.

These Learning Circles matter because they give leaders what they rarely have: time, space, and support to step back from the daily grind and invest in themselves. In turn, their organizations—and the communities they serve—become stronger, more connected, and better equipped to create lasting impact.

Donors make this possible. Your gifts to United Way fuel the Learning Circles and the broader work of the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact, ensuring that nonprofit leaders have the resources they need to succeed.