United Way of Rhode Island Inc
United Way of Rhode Island Inc is a public charity based in Providence, Rhode Island, formed in 1926. It works to build racial equity and opportunities for Rhode Islanders, supporting community programs and nonprofit organizations through grants, community services, advocacy, and other activities.
United Way of Rhode Island Inc at a glance
In short: United Way of Rhode Island Inc gave $8.0M across 282 grants in 2025 (avg $28K), mostly in Rhode Island. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,025,109
- -16.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 282
- +6.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $28,458
- -21.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $30,110,151
- -5.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (54 of 282, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Rhode Island (82% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way of Rhode Island Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit an application through the organization’s grant portal. Emergency grant applicants should provide the required eligibility and funding-impact documentation; sponsorship applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Contact
Mailing address: 50 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02909
Phone: (401) 444-0600
Website: https://unitedwayri.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of Rhode Island Inc
Who United Way of Rhode Island Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Rhode Island Community Food Bank ($547K). Together the top 10 received $2.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($6,501), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,512 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,157 grants of 1,512 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s work and grant programs described on its website focus on Rhode Island. In 2025, 82% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Rhode Island; other recipient-state shares included Massachusetts (7%), Connecticut (2%), Vermont (1%), and New York (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 282 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is United Way of Rhode Island Inc open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 54 of 282 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $30K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $17K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $8.0M (2025) to $13.1M (2021). In 2025 it made 282 grants totaling $8.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Community Food Bank Providence, RI | Donor Designation/Grant | $547,033 |
| Lifespan Foundation Providence, RI | Donor Designation/Grant | $406,298 |
| Community Care Alliance Woonsocket, RI | Donor Designation/Grant | $184,575 |
| Connecting for Children & Families Inc Woonsocket, RI | Donor Designation/Grant | $163,463 |
| Heritage Flight Foundation Pawcatuck, CT | Donor Designation/Grant | $144,000 |
| Federal Hill House Association Providence, RI | Donor Designation/Grant | $142,325 |
| Crossroads Rhode Island Providence, RI | Donor Designation/Grant | $142,291 |
| Newport Partnership for Families Newport, RI | Donor Designation/Grant | $134,108 |
| Rhode Island Community Foundation Inc Providence, RI | Donor Designation/Grant | $129,360 |
| Sojourner House Inc Providence, RI | Donor Designation/Grant | $108,330 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Rhode Island Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,110,151 | $26,669,367 | $26,593,090 | $8,025,109 | 282 | $950,616 |
| 2024 | $31,839,884 | $24,066,699 | $25,578,283 | $9,560,354 | 265 | $1,123,051 |
| 2023 | $28,320,599 | $21,078,823 | $21,556,401 | $8,380,695 | 249 | $1,071,605 |
| 2022 | $29,334,248 | $23,014,896 | $27,048,593 | $12,849,160 | 333 | $889,211 |
| 2021 | $35,273,997 | $45,188,674 | $35,897,161 | $13,076,295 | 383 | $2,281,550 |
| 2020 | $24,638,111 | $19,451,906 | $17,197,747 | $8,362,421 | 346 | $449,431 |
| 2019 | $23,285,964 | $17,215,201 | $17,307,571 | $8,870,544 | 282 | $321,597 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “uniting our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders.” Its LIVE UNITED 2025 plan identifies four focus areas: building economic security, advancing childhood learning, expanding philanthropy, and driving policy and participation. Its website also describes work on nonprofit strength, community voice, and care coordination.
The organization’s 2024 filing reports grants to Rhode Island nonprofit agencies for children’s school outcomes, safe and affordable housing, and reducing food insecurity. It also reports support for summer learning, energy assistance, and voluntary income tax assistance. In 2025, listed recipients included organizations with varied missions: the Rhode Island Community Food Bank says it works to improve life for Rhode Islanders by advancing solutions to hunger; Crossroads Rhode Island says it helps homeless or at-risk people and families secure stable homes; and Sojourner House says it provides support, advocacy, education, and housing for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, United Way of Rhode Island reported 282 grants totaling $8,025,109. Grants ranged from $5,008 to $547,033, with a median of $15,000. The largest listed awards included $547,033 to Rhode Island Community Food Bank, $406,298 to Lifespan Foundation, $184,575 to Community Care Alliance, $163,463 to Connecting for Children & Families Inc, and $144,000 to Heritage Flight Foundation. The stated purpose for these listed grants was “donor designation/grant.”
The organization’s website describes “United Is The Way” emergency grants for Rhode Island-based nonprofits responding to critical needs. The opportunity supports general operating costs for organizations experiencing government funding reductions, delays, or termination, or increased service demand. Its FAQ describes one-time grants of up to $50,000, with anticipated average awards of $25,000–$30,000, for eligible social service organizations addressing food, shelter, safety, healthcare access, and emergency relief. Applicants must be Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored organizations and provide an IRS determination letter. The FAQ says priority consideration is given to organizations affected by government funding changes and requires documentation of the funding impact. The website says applications are accepted on a rolling basis. It also lists “United is the Way” sponsorship applications for the current fiscal year, reviewed on a rolling basis at the beginning of each month, and recommends applying well in advance of an event.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Cortney Nicolato as President and CEO. It lists Paola Fernandez as Board Chair as of October 2024 and Dolph Johnson as Board Chair through September 2024. Other listed officers and directors include Vice Chairs Jayne Donegan, Gregg Perry, Sean Rogers, and Ramona Royal; Anthony Botelho, through December 2024; Junior Jabbie, through June 2025; and Treasurer Barbara Chernow.
United Way of Rhode Island Inc is led by Cortney Nicolato, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 8 of 35 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cortney Nicolato
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$65K (2019) → $319K (2025)
Dolph Johnson
Board Chair
Board Member → Board Chair, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paola Fernandez
Board Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Barry
Senior Director of Donor Relation
Senior Director of Donor Relations → Senior Director of Donor Relation, 2025
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$103K (2024) → $110K (2025)
Cristina Amedeo
Senior Director & Community Services
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$106K (2025)
Kevin Matta
Senior Director of People & Culture
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$123K (2025)
Marcela Betancur
Director
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joanne Daly
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suresh Swaminathan
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wes Cotter
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Hawkins
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rena Sheehan
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yahaira Placencia
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kate Kishfy
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Srini Krishnamurthy
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Belisle
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Carvalho
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Budris
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Cornett
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Carr
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paige Parks
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Cope
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Latham
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ann Canavan
Chief Financial Officer
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer → Chief Financial Officer, 2021
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$62K (2020) → $156K (2025)
Robert Bush
Chief Strategy & Operations Officer
Chief Operations Officer → Chief Strategy & Operations Officer, 2024
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$100K (2022) → $200K (2025)
Larry Warner
Chief Impact & Equity Officer
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$135K (2022) → $181K (2025)
Kyle Bennett
Chief of Staff & Public Affairs Officer
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$134K (2025)
Christopher Sabitoni
Secretary
Board Member → Director, 2023
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregg Perry
Vice Chair
Vice Chair → Vice Chair, Rd & E, 2022
Vice Chair, Rd & E → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Junior Jabbie
Vice Chair
Vice Co-Chair Spc → Director, 2023
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jayne Donegan
Vice Chair
Vice Chair & Audit → Director, 2023
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Chernow
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ramona Royal
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Botelho
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Rogers
Vice Chair
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (33)
- Former: Alden Anderson (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Betsey Purinton (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Lynn Corwin (2019–2024) — Executive Advisor & Strategy
- Former: Brian Carroll (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Wendy Kagan (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: James Galloway (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: David Bonenberger (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Donna Kane (2023–2024) — Controller
- Former: Idrees Olanrewaju Ajakaiye (2024) — Chief Development Officer
- Former: Robert Hancock (2024) — Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
- Former: Frank Sanchez (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Robert Kent (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Joseph Pierik (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Lysa Teal (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Michele Lederberg (2019–2022) — Board Chair
- Former: Terri Monjar (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Terence Sobolewski (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Barbara Mullen (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Louise Brooke Havens (2021–2022) — Chief Resource & Engagement Officer
- Former: R. Anthony Rolle (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Angela Bannerman Ankoma (2019–2021) — Former Executive Vice President & Community Impact Director
- Former: Kim Barker Lee (2021) — Former Board Member
- Former: Anthony Mangiarelli (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Roberta Butler (2019–2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Sandra Connors (2019–2020) — Executive Vice President & Director of Marketing
- Former: William Tsonos (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Anthony Maione (2019) — President & CEO
- Former: Betsey Ferguson (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Keith Kelly (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Benventuo (2019) — Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Meghan Grady (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Sandra Pattie (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Timothy Horan (2019) — Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $319K, to Cortney Nicolato (President and CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Rhode Island Inc
How much does United Way of Rhode Island Inc give each year?
United Way of Rhode Island Inc gave $8.0M across 282 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $9.6M across 265 grants.
What is United Way of Rhode Island Inc's typical grant size?
United Way of Rhode Island Inc's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $28,458, across 282 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Rhode Island Inc that year got $20K on average.
Where does United Way of Rhode Island Inc give grants?
United Way of Rhode Island Inc gives mostly in Rhode Island: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Providence, RI (116 grants), Warwick, RI (15 grants), Pawtucket, RI (8 grants) and New York, NY (8 grants).
Does United Way of Rhode Island Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 282 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Rhode Island Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donor Designation/Grant" (282 grants).
Who are United Way of Rhode Island Inc's largest grantees?
United Way of Rhode Island Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Rhode Island Community Food Bank ($547,033), Lifespan Foundation ($406,298) and Community Care Alliance ($184,575), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($6,501), which are not listed by name. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Rhode Island Inc?
United Way of Rhode Island Inc reported $30.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $26.7M.
What does United Way of Rhode Island Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “uniting our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Rhode Island Inc?
Submit an application through the organization’s grant portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 31, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 18, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 19, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work United Way of Rhode Island Inc funds
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Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Rhode Island
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Rhode Island Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-rhode-island-inc-morg_38c1c4ab823240ab98cf128e4f1ee470
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_050276059_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Rhode Island Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-rhode-island-inc-morg_38c1c4ab823240ab98cf128e4f1ee470},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from United Way of Rhode Island Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
United Way of Rhode Island Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?