PROVIDENCE – It was another record-setting effort for 401Gives Day.
This year's 401Gives initiative, Rhode Island’s annual day of giving organized by United Way of Rhode Island Inc., surpassed its goal by raising more than $5 million for 705 nonprofit organizations across the state. The effort held for 36 hours beginning March 31, raised more than last year's record-setting $4.88 million.
More than 20,000 donors made 32,544 individual gifts this year, surpassing totals from previous years and pushing the event’s cumulative fundraising past $24 million since its launch in 2020.
“401Gives and the generosity shown by our Rhode Island neighbors is nothing short of extraordinary,” United Way of Rhode Island's CEO and president Cortney Nicolato said. “This is significant funding for our nonprofits, dollars they didn’t have just days ago, at a time of real need.”
Organizers said the first hours of the event saw donations pass $1 million, aided by an initial $20,000 matching gift from the Papitto Opportunity Connection. Additional matching funds were provided by Rhode Island Energy, the Rhode Island Foundation, Eastern Bank and CapEx.
Nonprofits of all sizes benefited, with 113 organizations raising more than $10,000 and 196 exceeding $5,000. Among the highest fundraisers were the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Schools and community-based groups also ranked among the top recipients.
Caitlynn Douglas, who oversees 401Gives for United Way of Rhode Island, said the event reflects the breadth of services provided by the state’s nonprofit sector.
“From Woonsocket to Westerly and everywhere in between, nonprofits touch our lives every single day, often in ways people don’t even realize,” Douglas said. “To see the way our community rallies around organizations that are feeding families, caring for seniors and educating children is extremely powerful.”
401Gives has grown into a central fundraising and awareness event for Rhode Island nonprofits. The sector represents about 18% of the state’s workforce, according to organizers, and plays a significant role in local communities and the economy.
United Way officials said they hope the annual campaign encourages ongoing support beyond a single day of giving.
Veer Mudambi is the special projects editor of the Providence Business News. He can be reached at mudambi@pbn.com.
