PAWTUCKET, RI – When the team at United Way RI woke up on Tuesday morning, they came to find $4 million dollars had been funneled to non-profits all over the state thanks to their annual 401 Gives initiative.
401 Gives is a campaign powered by United Way of Rhode Island where for 24 hours, the entire state of Rhode Island is encouraged to support a non-profit organization of their choice – no donation is too big, or too small, and there are a wide variety of causes you can support. 16,633 donors spread those dollars to support 597 non-profit organizations with causes ranging from the military mental health non-profit Dare to Dream Ranch to empowering lives impacted by foster care with Foster Forward. “This is a day where non-profits stood up for each other,” said Courtney Nicolato, CEO of United Way of RI. “We broke every freaking record today from after school programs to arts, education to healthcare, that is the power of community. That is the power Rhode Island harnesses.”
What’s the vibe: The rustic-chic venue, the Barn behind the Guild, was a gastronomic wonderland of delectable drinks, savory light bites & sweet treats from the expert confectioners at Le Petit Pouf.
Now celebrating their 5th year, the annual event that has raised $14 million since its inception gave thanks to four organizations that have been there from the beginning: Centerville Bank, BCBSRI, and the RI Foundation – with a heartfelt thank you going to Barbara Papitto of Papitto Opportunity Connection.
The United Way Alliance has over 200 members – with speeches by State Treasurer James Diossa, Congressmen Gabe Amo, and Dr. Shonda Womack of Arise who brought in 586 individual donors and raised over $37,000 who reminded all that every dollar counts. “That $5 matters at 401 Gives.”
To learn more about 401 Gives, visit their website.
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Emmalyn Reid 