Rhode Islanders came out in extraordinary force to support their local nonprofits during this year’s 401Gives, making the 2025 edition the biggest and most successful yet. All told, the statewide day of giving toppled its goal by raising $4.88 million, and exceeded every high mark set previously. The total raised is more than $1 million more than 2024.
Over the course of 36 hours, the massive philanthropic effort benefited more nonprofits than ever with 644, inspired more than 19,000 donors, and prompted a record number of donations at 31,486.
“Nonprofits are essential to our communities, and right now, programs our neighbors rely on are at risk because of funding changes and uncertainty at the federal level,” said Cortney Nicolato, United Way’s president and CEO. “But one thing is crystal clear – Rhode Islanders have their nonprofits’ backs, just as our nonprofits are always there for us. To watch 401Gives unfold and see the bar pushed even higher when it is needed most has been incredible.”
The first donations began rolling in at 6 a.m. on April 1 and they kept coming. A $20,000 matching gift opportunity presented by the Papitto Opportunity Connection kicked off the first hour of 401Gives and was met in less than 10 seconds. By 9:30 a.m., the effort topped the $1 million mark, reaching the milestone faster than any previous year. At 3:30 p.m. on April 1, 401Gives exceeded $2.5 million and excitement was building for a truly record-breaking year. Donations continued to flow during the evening and nighttime hours and by 11 a.m. on April 2, 401Gives surpassed the $4 million mark.
In its sixth year, 401Gives saw the largest number of participating nonprofits ever at 662, including 129 organizations participating for the first time.
“The power and reach of 401Gives cannot be overstated, nor can the generosity of people all across the state who stepped up to support the causes they care about,” said Nancy Wolanski, director of the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact at United Way of R.I. “Nonprofits and their mission-driven work touch each of our lives and are vital to quality of life in the Ocean State. Every dollar donated during 401Gives is an investment in strengthening our communities.”
There are many ways to capture the success of this year’s 401Gives. A total of 111 organizations raised $10,000 or more while 194 topped $5,000. Leading the way was Foster Forward with $338,569 raised, followed by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center at $165,573, and Audubon Society of Rhode Island with $131,641. Rounding out the top 5 were Children’s Friend with $108,439 and Boys Town New England at $104,496.
For the fourth year in a row, the Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education engaged the most donors, connecting with 579. The Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance inspired 453 donors, while the Rhode Island Community Food Bank engaged 370. Community Libraries of Providence raised $43,600 thanks to 336 donors.
Held annually on April 1, 401Gives debuted in 2020, less than three weeks after the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the state and the country. It pays homage to Rhode Island’s only area code and has become foundational to how local nonprofits raise funds to support their work. Many plan their 401Gives strategies months in advance to secure and leverage matching opportunities and special prize drawings, encourage peer-to-peer fundraising, and maximize the way 401Gives takes over social media locally. 401Gives provides nonprofits an additional way to both deepen their connection to existing donors and build relationships with new ones.
The effort is powered by United Way and led by the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact at United Way. It is supported by the Papitto Opportunity Connection, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Energy, and Rhode Island Foundation among its more than a dozen sponsors.
