Resources for Nonprofits

Invitation to Join in the Design Process for a New Nonprofit Resource Center

United Way of Rhode Island is partnering with local nonprofit leaders to design a new nonprofit resource hub to build the capacity of nonprofits across the state. While the effort is designed to be inclusive and accessible for all social impact organizations, United Way is committed to centering the voices and priorities of small, mid-size and BIPOC-led nonprofits.

We are hoping that this process will help us to lift up existing capacity building resources, address obstacles that nonprofits have to accessing support, and develop new initiatives that can strengthen nonprofit organizations and empower and equip the staff who work in the sector.

There will be three phases of the design process, guided by a Design Team made up of 11 local nonprofit leaders (list below) and facilitated by Community Wealth Partners, a consulting firm with extensive experience in this type of work:

Stage 1 — Landscape Mapping and Needs Assessment
Stage 2 — Visioning
Stage 3 — Business Model Development

Deb Linnell, a local consultant, with extensive experience in nonprofit capacity building, will build on statewide input by researching both traditional and innovative national capacity building models through the summer.

There will be open opportunities for input at each stage, through public Input Sessions, surveys and an online portal. We would like to have stakeholders (nonprofit staff, Board members, volunteers, participants, policymakers, etc.) from across the state participate in the design process to ensure that your concerns, needs and innovative ideas are incorporated.

Online Portal for Ideas and Questions

Share your ideas, input, questions and concerns with the Design Team through the online portal, at any stage of the process. They want to hear from you!

Business Model Development

It is important that the offerings and impact of this initiative will provide capacity building support in an enduring way, so the third phase will be the development of a sustainable business model. There will be another public Input Session in August to assist the Design Team and Community Wealth in the development of a sustainable business model for the center (date TBD).

We know that for this effort to be successful, we need to have engagement and ideas from across the state, across the sector, and from diverse stakeholders, so please join us!

Thank you so much for all you do to make our communities stronger and more equitable!

Updates

If you would like to receive updates about the design process, please email nancy.wolanski@unitedwayri.org to be added to the mailing list.

Questions, Concerns or Ideas?

If you have questions about the Input or Visioning Sessions, the overall design process, or have ideas or concerns to share, please reach out to any members of the Design Team (below) or email Lori Bartczak at lbartczak@communitywealth.com. There will soon be a portal on the United Way website for nonprofit leaders to submit ideas and questions.

* Design Team Members

Tarshire Battle – Roots 2 Empower
Rikki Davis – RIOT RI
Anthony Garcia – Segue Institute
Roberto Gonzalez – SteamBox
Anthony Hubbard – YouthBuild
Rakia Islam – Refugee Dream Center
Niko Merritt – Sankofa Community Connection
James Monteiro – Campus Reentry Program
Tina Pederson — RAMP
JoAnn Schofield – Mentor RI
Kristen Williams – Riverzedge Arts

GCRI Resources for Nonprofits

While GCRI is unable to provide grants or funding for nonprofits directly, we are committed to supporting and strengthening the nonprofit sector in Rhode Island. Working with funders through our Nonprofit Capacity Building Catalyst Group, GCRI looks for opportunities to leverage resources to increase nonprofit sustainability statewide.

Each February GCRI offers a Meet the Funders session, which provides an accessible environment for nonprofits to learn more about a variety of funders across the state.

We periodically offer professional development sessions, nonprofit-funder dialogues and other opportunities, so be sure to subscribe to GCRI Connect, our email newsletter, by emailing Nancy. Wolanski@uwri.org.

Skills Based Volunteerism

GCRI’s Employee Engagement Catalyst Group is also actively working to increase skills-based volunteerism by employees at GCRI member organizations. These volunteers offer occasional content workshops, consulting and pro bono project work. More information on GCRI’s Skills-Based Volunteer Initiative

Resources for Rhode Island Nonprofits

Please note that these links are provided for reference purposes only and do not imply endorsement of any organization or opinion reflected on these sites. Rhode Island resources are listed first in each category, followed by national resources.

GCRI shares information about opportunities provided by GCRI members, as well as various organizations across the state that provide professional and organizational development support for nonprofits, information on RFP’s, training and resources available to Rhode Island nonprofits through GCRI Connect, our periodic e-newsletter for nonprofits. If you would like to receive GCRI Connect, please email Nancy.wolanski@uwri.org to be added to the email list.

Starting a Nonprofit?

Is Starting a Nonprofit Right For You? Free, on demand course from Candid

Foundation Center’s nonprofit startup guide and RI specific guide

BoardSource FAQ’s — Should I Start a Nonprofit? and Starting a Nonprofit

Strategic Planning

Creating a Strategic Plan — recording from SCORE Boston

Grant Research and Grantwriting

Foundation Collection at Providence Public Library

Foundation Center’s GrantSpace — training, Knowledge Base, foundation database

Foundation Center’s Foundation Directory Online

Graphic Design

Johnson & Wales University Feinstein Technology & Design Center — project-based graphic support for Rhode Island nonprofits provided by students

Information Technology

Idealware — training and assistance with technology decisions

Microsoft — product donation, discounts and grants

Tech Soup — discounted and donated technology and software

Insurance for Nonprofits

GCRI Session Recording 4/5/2022 — David Madara, OceanPoint Insurance

Job Postings

RI Community Jobs Listserv — hosted by Swearer Center at Brown University

Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship Job Postings

Net Impact jobs newsletter

Nonprofit Tech Job Postings

Idealist.org

Massachusetts Nonprofit Network Job Postings

Legal Assistance and Resources

Building for Good — provides pro bono construction lawyers, contact Program Director, Susie Lazaroff, at slazaroff@building4good.org or at 877-253-4433, for more information

Roger Williams University Pro Bono Collaborative — project-based legal assistance for Rhode Island nonprofits serving low-income individuals provided by lawyers and law students

Roger Williams University Business Start-Up Clinic (provides nonprofit assistance as well) — project-based legal assistance for Rhode Island nonprofits provided by law students

Lawyers Clearinghouse — provides legal assistance and pro bono work for Massachusetts nonprofits

Legal Templates — Stanford University Law School

Venable Legal Resources Regarding Government Grants

Office Furniture

The Furniture Trust

Pro Bono and Skills-Based Volunteers

Roger Williams University Community Partnerships Center — Project-based assistance from students and graduate students

United Way of Rhode Island

Taproot Foundation — connect with at-a-distance pro bono experts

Professional and Organizational Development

Rhode Island Foundation’s Capacity Building

Expansion Arts — Organizational development for Rhode Island arts organizations, funded by Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, Rhode Island Foundation, and Rhode Island State Council on the Arts

Association of Fundraising Professionals Rhode Island chapter

NonprofitReady.org — free online professional development

Free and Low-Cost Training Webinars and Online Courses

4Good

EdX

Udemy

Project Management Resources

Ocean State Project Management Institute — pro bono project management mentoring for Rhode Island nonprofits

Templates and Sample Documents

Society for Nonprofits (includes board member agreements and strategic plan outlines)

Tech Soup (RFP resources for technology projects)

Volunteer Recruitment

Volunteer Center at United Way of Rhode Island

All for Good

Volunteer Match

Finding/Working with Consultants

Southern New England Nonprofit Consultant Directory

GCRI sends out occasional information about resources and opportunities available to Rhode Island nonprofits, as well as RFP’s and funding opportunities. If you are interested in joining our nonprofit maling list, please email nancy.wolanski@uwri.org.