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.
2.2%
of Rhode Island households give to charity each year, among the lowest rates in the nation
18%
of workers are employed in the nonprofit sector, among the highest in the nation
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.
what our "iNVEST UNITED" goals are
+50%
the number of Rhode Island nonprofits in stable financial condition, defined as having >3 months of cash reserves
+25%
more people in Rhode Island who volunteer, with heightened focus on sills-based volunteerism
$5M
invested in capacity-building and operational funding for Rhode Island nonprofits
3x
as many nonprofit leaders and board members of color in Rhode Island
+50%
increase in the percent of Rhode Island households that give to charity
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.
Volunteer
Volunteer for on of 75+ organizations via the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island.
Give Again
On April 1, give generously to Rhode Island nonprofits via 401Gives.
IN THE NEWS
15 Features Nonprofit Websites Should Have
Forbes Nonprofit Council
"With so many interactions taking place online, a solid website is a must-have for nonprofit organizations... To help you create a stand-out web presence, a panel of Forbes Nonprofit Council members, including United Way of Rhode Island's president and CEO Cortney Nicolato, share some features nonprofit websites must include to appeal to current and prospective members or supporters.”
401Gives helped local nonprofit stay open
WPRI 12
"401Gives... is held on April 1… This year, 401Gives is especially important since 2020 was a double hit for local nonprofits… with the pandemic collapsing their traditional fundraising opportunities, and… the need for their services increased. 'If we hadn't had 401Gives, we probably would not have made it through the year,' [Karen Dalton, founder of Dare to Dream Ranch] recalled."
401Gives hopes to raise $1.5M on April 1
Providence Business News
"The community will have another opportunity April 1 to offer their favorite nonprofits support. The second annual 401Gives... online campaign will go live that day... [Donors] can visit 401gives.org and send their donations to various charities and causes... Along with fundraising, United Way is also offering nonprofits digital training and networking opportunities to help the organizations benefit highly from... 401Gives."
UPCOMING EVENTS
Community Learning Partners, featuring New Urban Arts and Movement Education Outdoors
Join Women United on Thursday, April 22 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. to hear about after-school programs that foster creativity, problem-solving, and a growth in mindset in amazing spaces.
2021 Children Book Drive
From May 1 to May 31, United Way of Rhode Island, Women United, and Books Are Wings will collect books gently used and new books. You can run a book drive at your workplace, school, or with your friends and family. Books may be dropped off at Cardi's Furniture & Mattresses locations in West Warwick, RI, South Attleboro, MA, and Swansea, MA. For more information on running a book drive or drop-off locations, contact bookdrive@unitedwayri.org.
YLC The Night is Young
The Night is Young will look a little different this year but we are still raising funds for the community! Save the date for Young Leaders Circle's signature event on Saturday, May 22. at 7 p.m. to make a difference in the lives of Rhode Islanders.
Power of the Purse
Save the date for Women United's signature fundraising event to support their mission in actively furthering children’s literacy. Power of the Purse will be held on Saturday, June 12 at the Newport Beach House. More details to come. Stay tuned!