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.
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 Island
Frequency: 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.
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.
Five Questions With: Roshni Darnal
Providence Business News
Roshni Darnal is the director of community investments for United Way of Rhode Island... where she manages the organization's strategic direction to address the needs of Rhode Islanders through its grantmaking processes… Darnal spoke with Providence Business News about those grantmaking changes and what it means for the nonprofit community moving forward.
PBN announces 2023 Best Places to Work honorees
Providence 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
Providence 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.
Statement on Rhode Island Afterschool Network Transition
United Way of Rhode Island is excited to announce that the Rhode Island Afterschool Network (RIAN) will expand its efforts effective October 1, 2023 with Rhode Island Foundation serving as its fiscal sponsor.
Sandra Mazo Appointed to Women United Global Council
The Washington Trust Company… today announced that Sandra Mazo, mortgage loan officer (NMLS # 269909), has been appointed to the Executive Committee for the Women United Global Leadership Council of United Way Worldwide. Women United® represents 55,000 members working with United Way in more than 200 communities across the globe. Sandra was nominated by United Way of Rhode Island.
Nancy Wolanski Hired as Director of Nonprofit Resource Center
United Way of Rhode Island has hired Nancy Wolanski as the inaugural director of the state’s new Nonprofit Resource Center. She assumed the role on Monday, July 31. Most recently, Nancy was executive director of the Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island.
UPCOMING EVENTS
97th Annual Celebration
You’re invited to join us as we celebrate another momentous year of making history, sharing stories, and honoring those who are making big moves in our small state.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Farm Fresh Rhode Island, 10 Sims Ave., Providence
This event is free and open to all. Registration is required.
For more information or assistance, email events@unitedwayri.org.