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United Way of Rhode Island Inc

Annual Giving
$13.5M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
18%

United Way of Rhode Island Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $13.4 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: 18% (238 applications, 43 awards in recent cycle)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (rolling basis for emergency grants; announced by October for main cycle)
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $75,000
  • Geographic Focus: Rhode Island (statewide)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.unitedwayri.org

Phone: (401) 444-0600

General Inquiries: alliance@unitedwayri.org

Grant Application Support:

Overview

United Way of Rhode Island (EIN: 05-0276059) has served Rhode Island for over 98 years, operating with more than 80 employees and an annual operating budget of $28 million. In 2021, under the leadership of President & CEO Cortney Nicolato (the organization's first female CEO), United Way launched "Live United 2025," committing to invest $100 million over five years to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. As of 2024, the organization has contributed more than $71.25 million toward this goal in just three years. United Way focuses on addressing root causes of systemic inequalities across education, housing, food security, and economic opportunity. The organization annually distributes approximately $13.4 million in grants to Rhode Island nonprofits, having made 265 awards in 2024, 249 in 2023, and 333 in 2022.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact and Equity Partners Program (Three-year grants: 2023-2026)

  • Grant Amount: Up to $75,000 annually
  • Application Method: Competitive application with fixed deadlines
  • Focus: Multi-year funding for programs targeting root causes of racial inequities
  • Most recent cycle awarded $3.2 million to 43 organizations

"United Is The Way" Safety Net Grants

  • Grant Amount: Up to $50,000 (average $25,000-$30,000)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis through online portal
  • Focus: Emergency funding for nonprofits experiencing government funding disruptions or increased service demand
  • Type: General operating support

Providence Equity Fund

  • Grant Amount: Up to $50,000 per year for two years
  • Application Method: Competitive application
  • Focus: Strategies promoting racial and social equity, economic mobility, and educational opportunities in Providence
  • Recent round awarded $1.5 million to 15 organizations

Additional Specialized Programs:

  • Summer learning programs: $524,488 annually
  • Energy assistance: $375,048 annually
  • Voluntary income tax assistance: $276,410 annually

Priority Areas

United Way of Rhode Island organizes its work into three strategic pillars:

LIFT UNITED (Building Economic Security)

  • Affordable and safe housing initiatives
  • Workforce development and job training
  • Financial stability and economic mobility
  • Adult education programs
  • Food security and insecurity reduction

ACHIEVE UNITED (Advancing Childhood Learning)

  • Educational outcomes for children in underserved communities
  • Out-of-school time and experiential learning
  • Summer learning opportunities
  • Early childhood education
  • Youth development programs

ADVOCATE UNITED (Driving Policy and Participation)

  • Policy advocacy for systemic change
  • Civic engagement and community organizing
  • Addressing homelessness
  • Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives
  • Community empowerment

Cross-Cutting Priorities:

  • Programs targeting root causes of racial inequities affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities
  • Organizations serving underserved populations throughout Rhode Island
  • Initiatives promoting social justice and equity

What They Don't Fund

While United Way of Rhode Island does not publish a comprehensive exclusion list, funding is restricted to:

  • Rhode Island-based nonprofits only
  • Qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organizations
  • Public charities under IRC section 170(B)(1)(A)

The organization does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or retaliation.

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Cortney Nicolato, MS

  • First female CEO in the organization's 98+ year history
  • Born and raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island; University of Rhode Island graduate
  • Over 17 years of executive leadership experience in nonprofit and business sectors
  • Led the development of Live United 2025 strategic plan

Nicolato has stated: "Under [my] leadership, the organization is focused on the root causes of inequities in the RI community that have become more apparent during the pandemic."

Board of Directors includes:

  • Dolph Johnson (Board Chair; EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Hasbro, Inc.)
  • Sean Rogers (Dean, College of Business, University of Rhode Island)
  • Courtney Hawkins (COO, City of Providence)
  • Marcela Betancur (Executive Director, Latino Policy Institute)
  • Yahaira "Jay" Placencia (SVP, Private Client Advisor, Bank of America Private Bank)
  • Rena Sheehan (VP, Clinical Strategy and Implementation, Neighborhood Health Plan)
  • Suresh Swaminathan (COO, Teknor Apex Company)
  • Jayne Donegan (Senior Executive Counsel & Assistant Secretary, Textron, Inc)
  • David Bonenberger (President, Rhode Island Energy/PPL Corporation)
  • Anthony Botelho (Senior Vice President, Team Leader, Washington Trust)

The organization maintains strong governance through its Governance, Ethics, and Nominating Committee and prioritizes financial efficiency, sustainability, trustworthiness, and commitment to governance practices.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through United Way's online grants portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/sl/xnMmK7

Current Open Opportunity: "United Is The Way" Safety Net Grants

  • Eligibility: Rhode Island-based nonprofits experiencing reductions, delays, or termination of government funding, or facing increased demand for services
  • Application Period: Rolling basis (ongoing acceptance)
  • Funding Type: General operating support

Community Impact and Equity Partners Program:

  • Three-year grant cycles with periodic competitive application rounds
  • Organizations invited to apply during open cycles
  • Most recent cycle: 2023-2026 (next major cycle expected around 2026)

Application Support Resources

United Way provides extensive support for applicants:

Information Sessions (registration required):

  • Virtual sessions held before application deadlines
  • Provide guidance on funding priorities and application process
  • Recordings made available for those unable to attend live

Virtual Office Hours:

  • Open Q&A sessions with no formal presentation
  • Direct assistance with application questions
  • Multiple time slots offered during application periods

Technical Assistance:

  • Complementary support through Alliance for Nonprofit Impact
  • Services include strategic planning, grant writing, and partnership development
  • Free legal consultations through Lawyers' Committee for Rhode Island

Decision Timeline

"United Is The Way" Safety Net Grants: Rolling applications reviewed on ongoing basis

Community Impact and Equity Partners Program:

  • Multi-phase review process
  • Applicants notified by October for standard cycles (e.g., decisions announced by October 2024 for 2023-2026 cycle; by September 9, 2022 for previous cycle)

Review Process

Review Committee Composition:

  • Committee of 29 reviewers for major grant cycles
  • Mix of United Way staff, community volunteers, and external stakeholders
  • Holistic approach to application review

Evaluation Criteria:

  • Alignment with United Way's mission and strategic pillars
  • Organizational readiness to invest
  • Population served and geographical reach
  • Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) plans
  • Proposed activities and expected community impact
  • Financial viability and organizational capacity

Success Rates

Most recent Community Impact and Equity Partners cycle:

  • Applications received: 238 (requesting $17.8 million total)
  • Awards made: 43 organizations
  • Success rate: Approximately 18%
  • Total awarded: $3.2 million

The competitive nature of United Way grants emphasizes the importance of strong alignment with priorities and demonstrated organizational capacity.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not explicitly published. Organizations should contact United Way staff to discuss reapplication opportunities and timing for specific grant programs.

Application Success Factors

Based on United Way of Rhode Island's documented priorities and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

Strong Mission Alignment:

  • Programs must clearly address root causes of racial inequities affecting BIPOC communities
  • Explicit connection to one of the three strategic pillars: LIFT UNITED (economic security), ACHIEVE UNITED (childhood learning), or ADVOCATE UNITED (policy and participation)
  • Focus on systemic change rather than short-term interventions

Geographic and Population Focus:

  • Rhode Island-based operations and service delivery
  • Programs serving underserved and marginalized communities throughout the state
  • Clear identification of target populations and their specific needs

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI):

  • Detailed JEDI plans are a specific evaluation criterion
  • Organizations should articulate how their work promotes equity
  • Leadership and governance reflecting communities served is valued

Organizational Capacity:

  • Demonstrated "organizational readiness to invest" is a key criterion
  • Financial viability and strong fiscal management
  • Capacity to implement proposed activities and measure outcomes
  • Evidence of sustainable operations

Community Impact:

  • Clear articulation of anticipated community-level outcomes
  • Programs with potential for scaling or replication
  • Evidence-based approaches where possible

Recent Funded Examples to Learn From:

LIFT UNITED recipients: Beautiful Day, Community Care Alliance, Federal Hill House, Foster Forward, Fuerza Laboral, Genesis Center, Higher Ground International, Hope & Main, Housing Network of Rhode Island, HousingWorks RI, One Neighborhood Builders, Progreso Latino, Refugee Dream Center, Sojourner House, Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum

ACHIEVE UNITED recipients: Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education (ARISE), Camp RYSE, College Visions, Community Libraries of Providence, Diversity Talks, DownCity Design, Girl Scouts of Southern New England, Inspiring Minds, Mt. Hope Learning Center, New Urban Arts, Rhode Island for Community and Justice, Youth In Action

ADVOCATE UNITED recipients: Center for Health and Justice Transformation, COYOTE RI, Economic Progress Institute, Latino Policy Institute, Providence Student Union, Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness, Rhode Island Kids Count, Young Voices

Leverage Available Resources:

  • Attend information sessions and virtual office hours
  • Take advantage of free technical assistance for grant writing and strategic planning
  • Build relationships with United Way staff before applying
  • Review the list of current grantees to understand funding patterns

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Competitive process: With an 18% success rate, applications must be exceptionally strong. Invest time in demonstrating clear alignment with United Way's mission and strategic pillars.

  • JEDI is non-negotiable: Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion plans are a specific evaluation criterion. Don't treat this as an afterthought—it should be central to your proposal.

  • Root causes over symptoms: United Way explicitly funds programs targeting "root causes of racial inequities" and systemic change. Frame your work accordingly, not as band-aid solutions.

  • Use available support: Information sessions, virtual office hours, and free technical assistance are offered for a reason. Organizations that leverage these resources demonstrate commitment and increase their chances of success.

  • Multi-year funding available: The Community Impact and Equity Partners Program offers three-year grants up to $75,000 annually—significant funding that warrants a thorough application.

  • Geographic specificity matters: As a statewide funder, United Way values understanding of Rhode Island's specific communities, challenges, and opportunities. Local knowledge and relationships are assets.

  • Consider timing: While emergency "United Is The Way" grants accept rolling applications, major Community Impact Fund cycles are periodic. Plan ahead and watch for announcements about upcoming grant cycles.

References

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