United Way of Rhode Island Inc
United Way of Rhode Island is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Providence, Rhode Island, serving the state for over 98 years. Founded in 1926, the organization mobilizes community resources to address systemic inequalities and improve lives across Rhode Island. The organization operates with approximately 74-95 employees and maintains an annual operating budget of approximately $28 million.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$30.1M
-5.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.0M
-16.1% YoY
Grant Count
282
+6.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
-21.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: United Way of Rhode Island invests in community-led solutions that build economic stability, support strong families, and drive equity so every Rhode Islander can thrive.
Strategic Framework: In 2021, the organization launched "Live United 2025," a five-year strategic initiative committing to invest $100 million 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.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education and improving children's school results
- Affordable and safe housing
- Food security and reducing food insecurity
- Economic opportunity and stability
- Summer learning programs
- Energy assistance
- Voluntary income tax assistance for lower-income residents
The organization explicitly addresses systemic inequity and policies that promote unequal opportunity and treatment of people of color.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $25,000 - $100,000 (typical awards range from $5,001 - $547,033)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Rhode Island statewide, with some activity in Massachusetts and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2025 (most recent filing):
- Total Assets: $30.1 million
- Total Revenue: $26.7 million
- Total Expenses: $26.6 million
- Total Liabilities: $6.83 million
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $31.8 million
- Total Revenue: $24.1 million
- Total Expenses: $25.6 million
- Total Giving: $13.2 million
Transparency & Accountability:
- Earned 2024 Platinum Seal of Transparency
- Achieved 99% transparency score
- Four-star rating with perfect 100 score in accountability and finance
- Maintains a predominantly independent board of 22 members
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $30,110,151 | $31,839,884 | $28,320,599 |
| Revenue | $26,669,367 | $24,066,699 | $21,078,823 |
| Expenses | $26,593,090 | $25,578,283 | $21,556,401 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $950,616 | $1,123,051 | $1,071,605 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of Rhode Island Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Community Care Alliance ($184,575), Connecting for Children & Families Inc ($163,463), Children's Hospital Corporation (boston Childrens Hospital Trust) ($82,727).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A WISH COME TRUE INC COVENTRY, RI | DONOR DESIGNATION/GRANT | $5,627 |
| ADOPTION RHODE ISLAND PROVIDENCE, RI | DONOR DESIGNATION/GRANT | $5,963 |
| ALLIANCE OF RHODE ISLAND SOUTHEAST ASIANS FOR EDUCATION PROVIDENCE, RI | DONOR DESIGNATION/GRANT | $44,569 |
| ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC NEWTON, MA | DONOR DESIGNATION/GRANT | $25,068 |
| ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH FOUNDATION DBA CURE ALZHEIMER'S WELLESLEY HILLS, MA | DONOR DESIGNATION/GRANT | $7,293 |
| AMENITY AID WARWICK, RI | DONOR DESIGNATION/GRANT | $7,507 |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH PHILADELPHIA, PA | DONOR DESIGNATION/GRANT | $6,776 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC ATLANTA, GA | DONOR DESIGNATION/GRANT | $13,963 |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION OF RHODE ISLAND PROVIDENCE, RI | DONOR DESIGNATION/GRANT | $9,858 |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC NEW YORK, NY | DONOR DESIGNATION/GRANT | $7,250 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President & CEO: Cortney Nicolato (first female CEO of the organization)
- Senior Director of Philanthropy: Jessica Barry
- Chief Advancement Officer: Tiffany Reed
- Director, Community Investments: Roshni G Darnal
- Chief Financial Officer: Mary Ann Canavan
- Finance Director: James Reynolds
- Director, Donor Engagement: Jennifer Remmes
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CORTNEY NICOLATO | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 37.5 | $319,145 |
| DOLPH JOHNSON | BOARD CHAIR (TO 9/24) | 1 | — |
| PAOLA FERNANDEZ | BOARD CHAIR (AS OF 10/24) | 1 | — |
| ANTHONY BOTELHO | VICE CHAIR (TO 12/24) | 1 | — |
| JAYNE DONEGAN | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JUNIOR JABBIE | VICE CHAIR (TO 6/25) | 1 | — |
| GREGG PERRY | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| SEAN ROGERS | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| RAMONA ROYAL | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| BARBARA CHERNOW | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER SABITONI | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| JOANNE DALY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| COURTNEY HAWKINS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATE KISHFY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| YAHAIRA PLACENCIA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RENA SHEEHAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SURESH SWAMINATHAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRIS BUDRIS | DIRECTOR (AS OF 6/25) | 1 | — |
| SARAH LATHAM | DIRECTOR (AS OF 9/24) | 1 | — |
| CAROLYN BELISLE | DIRECTOR (AS OF 10/24) | 1 | — |
| GREG CORNETT | DIRECTOR (AS OF 6/25) | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE CARR | DIRECTOR (AS OF 9/24) | 1 | — |
| PAIGE PARKS | DIRECTOR (AS OF 6/25) | 1 | — |
| RACHEL COPE | DIRECTOR (AS OF 6/25) | 1 | — |
| MARCELA BETANCUR | DIRECTOR (AS OF 10/24) | 1 | — |
| CHARLES CARVALHO | DIRECTOR (AS OF 9/24) | 1 | — |
| WES COTTER | DIRECTOR (TO 6/25) | 1 | — |
| SRINI KRISHNAMURTHY | DIRECTOR (TO 6/25) | 1 | — |
| ROBERT BUSH | CHIEF STRATEGY & OPERATIONS OFFICER | 37.5 | $200,293 |
| MARY ANN CANAVAN | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 37.5 | $155,552 |
| LARRY WARNER | CHIEF IMPACT & EQUITY OFFICER | 37.5 | $180,792 |
| KYLE BENNETT | CHIEF OF STAFF & PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER | 37.5 | $134,404 |
| CRISTINA AMEDEO | SENIOR DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY SERVICES | 37.5 | $105,924 |
| JESSICA BARRY | SR. DIR. OF DONOR RELATION | 37.5 | $109,866 |
| KEVIN MATTA | SR. DIR. OF PEOPLE & CULTURE | 37.5 | $122,706 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Accelerated $1.5 million in Community Impact Fund grant payments to support Rhode Island nonprofits amid funding uncertainty
United Way of Rhode Island Inc - Grant Information & Application ...Distributed $600,000 in "Rhode Island Recovers" grants to 41 local organizations to support continuity of services
United Way Accelerates $1.5 Million in Grant Payments to Support Rhode Island\Invested $10 million in community programs
United Way Investing $10 Million in Community Programs \u2013 United Way\Operates a 211 Helpline providing community resource information
Supports the Rhode Island Afterschool Network and Women United initiatives
United Way of Rhode Island Inc - Grant Information & Application ...Maintains an Impact Network for community engagement
United Way accelerates $1.5M in Community Impact Fund grants to ...Contact Information
Website: www.unitedwayri.org
Phone: (401) 444-0600
Address: 50 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02909-2406
EIN: 05-0276059
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does United Way of Rhode Island Inc fund?
**Mission:** United Way of Rhode Island invests in community-led solutions that build economic stability, support strong families, and drive equity so every Rhode Islander can thrive. **Strategic Framework:** In 2021, the organization launched "Live United 2025," a five-year strategic initiative committing to invest $100 million 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 y…
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Rhode Island Inc?
**Annual Giving:** Approximately $13.4-13.5 million annually **Grant Range:** $25,000 - $100,000 (typical awards range from $5,001 - $547,033) **Success Rate:** 18% (238 applications, 43 awards in recent cycle) **Decision Timeline:** Varies by program; rolling basis for emergency grants; main cycle decisions announced by October **Primary Grant Program - Community Impact Fund:** Distributes over $5 million annually to nonprofit agencies in Rhode Island, including: • $4.67 million for community …
Where does United Way of Rhode Island Inc make grants?
Rhode Island statewide, with some activity in Massachusetts and New York.
What size grants does United Way of Rhode Island Inc award?
In 2025, United Way of Rhode Island Inc awarded 282 grants totaling $8.0M — an average of about $28K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is United Way of Rhode Island Inc's EIN?
United Way of Rhode Island Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 05-0276059. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Rhode Island Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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