Hard times don't discriminate – sometimes life just happens.
With your help, we were there for Rhode Islanders during some tough moments last year. Why? Because we’re the organization that helps people – right here in your backyard.
Thanks to you, we raised more than $13 million dollars and we…
- Advocated for working adults and helped put the brakes on a proposed $1.7 million cut to adult education funding.
- Celebrated the tenth anniversary of United Way’s 2-1-1 in Rhode Island and took 194,735 calls.
- Helped more people find a path to recovery from opioid addiction, with support from CVS.
We also…
- Invested in programs that help children learn and helped pass legislation for an Out of School Time Commission to create more opportunities.
- Rolled out an online banking experience for donors called MyFund and helped donors give to the charities of their choice, at their convenience.
- Took on the management of the statewide volunteer center and helped more than 1,700 volunteers give 4,050 hours of their time to the community.
- But that’s only part of our story… read on to learn more about all the ways we worked with you to change lives and strengthen our community.
OUR WORK
Volunteer Center
We took ownership of the Volunteer Center; an online platform that allows local nonprofits to connect with Rhode Islanders looking to volunteer.
The Volunteer Center, formally managed by Serve RI, is used by 90 local nonprofits and thousands of volunteers throughout Rhode Island.
2-1-1
2-1-1 answered 194,735 in 2017; calls from Rhode Islanders looking for assistance with finances, health information, food, and housing.
With the support of Citizens Bank, 2-1-1 has formed a partnership with The POINT, Rhode Island Aging and Disability Resource Center, and offers help-on-the-go with its 2-1-1 Outreach RV.
MyFund™
We rolled out MyFund – an online “banking” experience that makes giving to all of your favorite charities quick, easy, and secure.
Giving to more than one charity just got easy: search our database, click to send a gift, view and print statements. Manage your giving with a free MyFund account.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Nearly 13,000 individuals and families were able to get free tax preparation services, returning over $23,000,000 directly into their pockets through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
In partnership with Citizens Bank, we invested $210,000 to support VITA. The total amount saved on VITA site tax preparation fees in 2017 was $4,329,000.
Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative
1,103 Rhode Island youth across 10 communities and 14 programs took part in the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative, a hands-on and enriching summer learning curriculum with an emphasis on service learning.
In partnership with Hasbro, Inc., we provide an innovative solution to summer learning loss: 210 hours of programming that promotes civic-mindedness and citizenship.
Afterschool Leadership Circle
More than 100 education professionals, representing high-quality programs statewide, attended Afterschool and Summer Learning Day at the State House in May to share the impact of their work.
Demand for high-quality summer learning programs is expected to outstrip availability, which is why the ALC works to build stronger advocates for students and programs.
OUR GRANTEES
$4,926,559
to our Community Impact Fund
Rhode Islanders helped
$1,880,622
Helped Rhode Islanders meet basic needs.
$2,143,448
Helped Rhode Islanders learn and improve their lives.
OUR DONORS
When you support United Way of Rhode Island, you support more than one issue or program — you join a movement for change.
$13,013,416
to our neighbors in need
Last year, more than 400 companies joined our efforts to create lasting change in Rhode Island.
MEET OUR SUPPORTERS
When Rhode Islanders are passionately engaged in the communities they call home, we all get results. These groups lead the charge, strengthening our state through giving and volunteerism.
Young Leaders Circle participated in more than 15 events in 2018, where they gave, advocated, and volunteered to help our neighbors.
And since 2011, they have given more than $700,000 to United Way of Rhode Island.
Women United: Leading the Charge, Inspiring the Change!
Dedicated to improving childhood literacy, Rhode Island's Women United has given $306,503 to summer learning and STEM programs, and, since 2012, more than $4.2 million to United Way of Rhode Island.
In 2018, we partnered with 1,724 volunteers and 80 companies to deliver 4,050.5 hours of service, worth $106,002.
The result? We were able to distribute 21,886 books, 1,739 backpacks, and 47,000 meals to our neighbors in need.
OUR FINANCIALS
A snapshot of our annual finances from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.
(unaudited results)
HIGHLIGHTS
August 4, 2017
HSLI: Students Shine in Summer Learning
Read More
September 22, 2017
Graduate! Rhode Island Works to Improve The Ocean State's Future
Read More
December 4, 2017
UWRI Launches New Online Giving Tool: MyFund
April 5, 2018
United Way Gains Largest Single Donor Advised Fund of $500,000
Read More
May 24, 2018
The Hatfields Recieve Tocqueville Society Award
June 15, 2018
Learn How Two Children Made a Difference in their Community
Read More