In celebration of November being Nonprofit Appreciation Month, United Way and the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact have launched Give4GoodRI.org, a new online giving platform designed to support Rhode Island’s vital nonprofit sector. The platform, free for nonprofits to join this year, aims to increase accessibility to year-round online giving and provide transparency for donors.
Give4GoodRI.org will serve as a comprehensive database of local nonprofits, allowing individuals and donors to easily search, learn about, and donate to organizations aligned with their interests. The platform features customizable microsites for each verified nonprofit, showcasing detailed information such as staff and management profiles, board governance, demographics, and financial data.
According to a 2023 survey, over 90% of Rhode Island nonprofits identified year-round online giving as highly valuable, yet many lack the resources to implement such a system. This initiative addresses that need while also promoting transparency and education about the work of nonprofits in the state.
“So much of our everyday activity is done online, and nonprofits without the capacity to solicit and accept donations on their website are at a disadvantage to generate the support needed to provide the services and programs Rhode Islanders depend on,” said Nancy Wolanski, Director of the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact at United Way of RI. “Nonprofit Appreciation Month is an opportunity to recognize and thank nonprofits for the work they do every day, and a way Rhode Islanders can express their appreciation is by donating to the organizations whose work is most important to them.”
The launch of Give4GoodRI.org underscores the crucial role nonprofits play in Rhode Island’s economy and workforce. Nearly 70,000 people, representing 1 in 6 workers, are employed by the nonprofit sector in the state. In 2021, nonprofit workers earned $4 billion in taxable wages, contributing significantly to economic activity. However, nonprofits lack the resources and support that for-profits have. Rhode Island nonprofits currently report an increased demand for services compared to pre-pandemic levels (60%).
“Nonprofits are a significant part of our state’s workforce and an economic engine, and it’s vital that we all support and strengthen the sector,” said Cortney Nicolato, President and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island. “These organizations are no different than our small business community – nonprofits simply generate social good rather than a monetary profit.”
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
