Few things have inspired as much optimism and hope regarding our fellow Rhode Islanders as 401Gives, a still-relatively-new day of charitable giving started by The United Way of Rhode Island during the very beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Initially, the onset of the pandemic caused a moment of caution; should the initiative be pushed off while people navigated these uncertain financial waters? Instead, it became apparent just how much more crucial it would be to ask members of the community to step up to help the nonprofits around them who dedicate countless hours and resources to helping those in need throughout the state.

That first day of giving, despite all the uncertainty and fear and concern over individual checking accounts, raised an impressive $1.3 million, benefiting 366 nonprofits.

The wave of giving has only gotten more heartwarming since that day.

In 2021, 401Gives demolished its first year’s numbers, jumping up 75% in total donations to $2.29 million when all was said and counted. That number was reached from 12,000 individual donors. In 2022, they eclipsed $3 million in donations going to 507 organizations, and did so with just under 13,000 donors. In 2023, again, the number grew, to $3.4 million total raised, benefiting 546 different nonprofits.

This past Monday marked 2024’s Day of Giving, and as of writing this, the group did not eclipse its prior year donation total for the first time in its four-year history, raising just around $2.9 million. However, that money also went to more organizations than any year prior, with just shy of 600 groups receiving some money from over 13,500 donors.

While this might mean that economic times are a bit tougher for charitable Rhode Islanders, more of us are giving as more become aware of this worthwhile endeavor, which is full of so many good causes that, mathematically, at least one should hit close to home and inspire even a small donation.
Seeing this type of concentrated good will in one place makes us proud to be Rhode Islanders and provides a sense of balance to the negative things we see happening around the world at the moment. Think of the impact we could make if the number of donors — already a small fraction of Rhode Island’s overall population — were to increase next year by just 10 percent. How many more people could be helped through hard times?

At a time when many people are struggling with the cost of housing, of food, of daycare, and of education, we know it’s a tough thing to be asked to give any of your limited disposable income to others. But every little bit does help, and should you find yourself in the position one day where you rely on the support of one of these wonderful nonprofits, you’d certainly hope for them to be well funded.

Go to 401gives.org for more information.