Expanding philanthropy
invest united
WHAT WE’RE UP AGAINST
Rhode Island is among the states with the highest portion of workers employed in the nonprofit sector, but one of the lowest in terms of the portion of households that give to charity each year.
Rhode Island’s 3,500 charitable nonprofits do not have access to the necessary resources, and data to grow, achieve, and sustain their mission. This is especially true of organizations led by and serving people of color. As a result of the outsized challenges faced by nonprofit leaders of color, they are substantially underrepresented in the sector.
HOUSEHOLD GIVING2.2%
of Rhode Island households give to charity each year, among the lowest rates in the nation
NONPROFIT SECTOR EMPLOYMENT
18%
of workers are employed in the nonprofit sector, among the highest in the nation
NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP
3%
of nonprofit CEOs and 10% of nonprofit board members are people of color, who make up 24% of the state’s population
WHAT WE’RE DOING TO EXPAND PHILANTHROPY
Developing nonprofit leadership and resiliency
Working with the nonprofit community, we are co-creating programs, products and services to develop a more robust pipeline of leaders of color, build operational efficiencies, encourage collaboration, and support impact measurement. Historically, we’ve partnered with nonprofits for decades as a major fundraiser and grantmaker. More recently, our programs to build capacity for nonprofit partners have also included our Volunteer Center of Rhode Island, Executive Director Leadership Council and 401Gives fundraising program. This year, we also intend to create a nonprofit center or association to strengthen professional development and infrastructure capabilities in the sector.
Empowering donors of today and tomorrow
The philanthropists of tomorrow are serving our community today in so many ways. United Way of Rhode Island is creating experiences that help donors connect with the mission that is important to them, as well as to provide easy-to-use tools to support their giving and volunteer needs. Through our partnership with workplaces, we raise roughly $13 million for local nonprofits via annual workplace giving campaigns. In 2020, we launched 401Gives to encourage all Rhode Islanders to support local nonprofits. Our goal is to raise $1.5 million on April 1, 2021.
Supporting corporations’ role as community champions
Every day, Rhode Island’s corporations are giving their time, talents and treasures to strengthen our state. United Way of Rhode Island will continue to provide resources and consultative support to help companies shape and measure the return on their community investment and corporate social responsibility. Our more than 350 workplace partners include many of the state’s leading companies, institutions and labor unions. Learn more about the organizations that have joined us to transform Rhode Island here. In 2021, we will be extending our consultative role by implementing United Way’s Shared Purpose (corporate social responsibility) program in Rhode Island (learn more).
Inspiring volunteerism
Volunteers are the lifeblood of any nonprofit organization. When a volunteer participates in a short or long-term project, passions ignite and last a lifetime. We will continue to invest in the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island, connecting more Rhode Islanders with volunteer opportunities and educating youth on the importance of serving one’s community in this way.
Working Towards Our Invest United 2025 Goals
LIVE United 2025: Invest United
Expanding Philanthropy
Through our Invest United pillar, we’re building nonprofit resiliency and leadership development. We’re also empowering donors, engaging corporations, and connecting Rhode Islanders with volunteer opportunities.
Goal: Capacity Building
$5M total investment by UWRI in capacity building and operational funding to RI nonprofits.
Source: United Way of Rhode IslandFrequency: Annual
Goal: Leaders of Color
Triple the number of organizations with directors of color in Rhode Island.
Source: GCRI/UWRI Survey Data (2021)Frequency: Annual
Goal: Board Members of Color
Triple the number of organizations with a majority of board members of color.
Source: GCRI/UWRI Survey Data (2021)Frequency: Annual
HOW YOU CAN HELP EXPAND PHILANTHROPY
“If you want to be a true professional, you will do something outside yourself. Something to repair tears in your community. Something to make life a little better for people less fortunate than you. That’s what I think a meaningful life is – living not for oneself, but for one’s community.” – Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg
Donate
Give to our Community Investment Fund.
Give NowVolunteer
Volunteer for on of 75+ organizations via the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island.
See volunteers neededGive Again
On April 1, give generously to Rhode Island nonprofits via 401Gives.
give @ 401gives In the News Press Releases In the News See all news
PBN announces 2023 Best Places to Work honorees
April 28, 2023Providence 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
December 29, 2022Providence 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.
Rethinking how one of R.I.’s largest nonprofits can grow
November 21, 2022The Boston Globe
In October, [Idrees “Lanre”] Ajakaiye was appointed the new chief development officer at… United Way of Rhode Island where he’ll be in charge of helping… United Way achieve its current strategic plan, which outlines the nonprofit’s investment of $100 million over five years to help achieve racial equity.
Press Releases See all press releases 26 AprDirector Sought for New Statewide Nonprofit Center
A new, first-of-its-kind statewide resource center for Rhode Island nonprofits is becoming a reality. United Way of Rhode Island, which has convened the state’s nonprofit community to establish the center, today announced it has opened the hiring for the center’s inaugural director.
Read more 04 Apr401Gives Sets New Highs Across the Board
401Gives has reached new heights, setting record highs in every way in its fourth year. Powered by United Way, Rhode Island’s premier philanthropic effort to support the state’s nonprofits closed at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 3, having raised more money for more nonprofits than ever – the result of more donors making more gifts than any previous year.
Read more 15 Mar401Gives Returns in Just Two Weeks
Not only has United Way of Rhode Island set the effort’s most ambitious goal yet, aiming to raise $4.01 million. 401Gives also will enjoy its first ever “Weekend Edition” and take over the Ocean State beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday, March 31.
Read moreUPCOMING EVENTS
See all events
01
Apr
Children’s Book Drive 2023
United Way of Rhode Island’s Children’s Book Drive is back! From April 1 – May 24, 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 2023 drop-off locations and Frequently Asked Questions at the link below.
16
May
Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Press Conference
Join RIAN, a program of United Way of Rhode Island, on Tuesday, May 16 | 3 – 4 p.m. at the Rhode Island State House Library
• Advocate for the Out-of-School Time Investment Bill, championed by Rep. Julie Casimiro and Sen. Sandra Cano.
• Hear remarks from our legislative sponsors, youth development experts, stakeholders, and out-of-school time partners.
• Inform our community of the urgent need to provide continuous investment for youth development.
24
May
Power of the Purse
United Way of Rhode Island’s Women United invites you to join the fight for childhood literacy at our 8th annual Power of the Purse fundraiser.
Wednesday, May 24 | 5:30 to 8 p.m.Squantum Association, RiversideSpend an evening with dynamic women making a difference in Rhode Island, bidding on designer purses, and enjoying signature cocktails, appetizers, surprise raffles, and a wine wall.Tickets are $100. Don’t miss this opportunity to support a good cause.
Register
03
Jun
Day of Action
Join United Way of Rhode Island for Day of Action on Saturday, June 3 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at United Way in Providence. We’ll be sorting, labeling, and preparing books collected during our Children’s Book Drive 2023 for distribution to kids in afterschool and summer learning programs. Two shifts are available – 9 a.m. – noon and 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. This is a family-friendly volunteer opportunity.