Warwick nonprofits top $270K combined in 401Gives
In the 36-hour annual statewide giving initiative, this year’s 401Gives campaign brought in more than $5 million for participating local nonprofit organizations.
Beginning on March 31 at 6 a.m., 401Gives went on to benefit 705 Rhode Island nonprofits, more than ever before. 20,112 donors came together to make 32,544 gifts, each of which also broke previous records. Managed by United Way of Rhode Island, 401Gives is one of the state’s signature annual giving campaigns.
“This is significant funding for our nonprofits, dollars they didn’t have just days ago,” said Cortney Nicolato, United Way’s president and CEO in a release. “At a time of real need, our neighbors rose to the occasion, underscoring what I’ve always known to be true … Rhode Islanders always have one another’s back.”
In Warwick, 51 organizations participated in the fundraising event and brought in more than $270,000. Of those Warwick-based nonprofits, six brought in more than $10,000 each to help their causes, ranging from animal welfare to senior services and hygiene.
Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England, headquartered on Greenwich Avenue in Warwick, was the largest beneficiary in the city, bringing in $55,423 from 289 donors. GSSNE serves more than 4,000 youth annual across all of Rhode Island and 13 neighboring communities in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
“Our 401Gives funds ensure that finances are never a barrier to participation,” said GSSNE CEO Dana Borrelli-Murray. The organization puts the funding into programming, membership work, financial aid and their Community Partnership Troops.
Borrelli-Murray highlighted the 401Gives campaign’s unique ability to mobilize the generosity of thousands of individuals. It also allows nonprofits to showcase their strengths and connect with fellow organizations that “are doing most of the heavy labor to support our communities.”
Amenity Aid, the state’s only hygiene bank, raised $52,726 during this year’s 401Gives. The organization operates like a food bank, but providing basic hygiene products such as soap, deodorant and menstrual products. Founder and Executive Director Liz Duggan said that this amount, raised in less than two days, will fund the bulk wholesale purchase of more than 27,000 products for nearly 12,000 neighbors in need.
“This supercharges our ability to supply ‘Nine Necessities’ to partner agencies, ensuring veterans, refugees and those facing housing instability have the products they need to thrive,” Duggan said. “We ensure no one has to choose between paying rent and buying soap.”
N-SIGHT, a local organization dedicating to providing services and support for those with vision loss, brought in $13,131.
To support animal welfare in the community, Scruffy Paws Animal Rescue and the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA), raised $12,111 and $15,623 respectively.
With 196 donors, more than in any prior year, the RISPCA will use the funding to offset the costs of medical coverage for current shelter pets.
According to Stephanie Van Patten, Rhode Island SPCA vice president of development and communications, the shelter is currently home to Dave, a four-year-old French bulldog that requires nasal surgery to help him breathe more easily and specialized care for a rare kidney disease. With kitten season coming soon, funding will also be used to cover spay and neuter surgeries.
Among all nonprofits, there was great appreciation not only for United Way for organizing the 401Gives campaign, but also Rhode Islanders for their continued generosity.
“For many nonprofits like Saint Elizabeth Community, 401Gives is a critical day for fundraising,” said Director of Communications and Marketing Hugh Minor.
This year, donors helped St. Elizabeth Community raise $23,717 – $4,615 more than last year. The organization has two adult day centers in Warwick, one in Apponaug and one in Warwick Neck.
“These funds help us deliver programs and activities for the older adults we serve each day.We're so thankful to everyone who participated in this year's campaign,” he said.