Providence, R.I. (April 1, 2026) – In a year marked by funding uncertainty and evolving challenges for the nonprofit sector, Rhode Islanders stepped up once again during 401Gives, raising more than $5 million to support local organizations. The statewide giving initiative set new highs across the board, delivering a powerful statement that helps ensure vital programs and services have the resources to continue their work to stabilize families and strengthen our communities.
Over the course of 36 hours, 401Gives benefited 705 Rhode Island nonprofits, more than ever before, while inspiring 20,112 donors to make 32,544 gifts, each of which also broke previous records. During its seven years, the philanthropic effort has now raised more than $24 million.
“401Gives and the generosity shown by our Rhode Island neighbors is nothing short of extraordinary, to have pushed the bar even higher with another record-breaking year is incredible,” said Cortney Nicolato, United Way’s president and CEO. “This is significant funding for our nonprofits, dollars they didn’t have just days ago. At a time of real need, our neighbors rose to the occasion, underscoring what I’ve always known to be true… Rhode Islanders always have one another’s back.”
Donations began rolling in at 6 a.m. on March 31 and they kept coming. A $20,000 matching gift offered by the Papitto Opportunity Connection kicked off 401Gives, and the effort topped $1 million raised within its first few hours. Additional matching gifts from Rhode Island Energy, Rhode Island Foundation, Eastern Bank, and CapEx helped to drive significant bumps in activity as donors were eager to boost the impact of their philanthropy. This year’s 401Gives began a day early to honor Passover.
“From Woonsocket to Westerly and everywhere in between, nonprofits touch our lives every single day, and often in ways people don’t even realize,” said Caitlynn Douglas, who leads 401Gives for the organization. “To see the way our community rallies around 401Gives and supports organizations that are feeding families, caring for seniors, educating our children, protecting our environment, enriching the arts, and so much more is extremely powerful. We hope donors see 401Gives as the beginning of an ongoing relationship with nonprofits and more than just a day of giving.”
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The impact of this year’s 401Gives goes beyond any single measure of success. A total of 113 organizations raised $10,000 or more while 196 exceeded $5,000.
Among the highest fundraisers in the “large” nonprofit category were Newport’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center at $204,864 and Audubon Society of Rhode Island at $165,329. Partnership for Providence Parks led the way among “micro” organizations with $65,949 raised, while The Gordon School topped the “small” org list at $61,312 and School One led “medium” nonprofits with $81,165. A number of organizations exceeded their goals, including Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England topping $55,000.
The Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education engaged the highest number of donors at 519, with Foster Forward and Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance (AMOR) also among the leaders, inspiring 449 and 312 donors, respectively.
Held annually since debuting in 2020, 401Gives has become Rhode Island’s signature day of giving, mobilizing thousands of people to support the nonprofits that better communities across the state. It pays homage to the Ocean State’s only area code and is foundational to how local nonprofits raise funds to support their work. But 401Gives is about more than just donations; it is also about visibility, civic pride, and ensuring Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector is seen as essential to everyday life.
Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector accounts for 18 percent of the state’s total workforce, which reinforces how 401Gives supports a sector that touches our communities, neighborhoods, and the economy at the same time.
401Gives is powered by United Way of Rhode Island and its Alliance for Nonprofit Impact.
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United Way of Rhode Island is uniting our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. As a member of the world’s largest nonprofit network, we bring together individuals, business, nonprofit, community leaders and government to tackle the root causes of inequity and achieve specific, measurable goals. Our programs include 211, the statewide front door connecting Rhode Islanders with social services, resources, and vital programs. Both directly and through grants to nonprofits, we are investing to build economic opportunity, advance childhood learning, expand philanthropy, and to drive policy and participation. To learn more, visit unitedwayri.org, or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.