401Gives sees record numbers for dollars raised and donors

Foster Forward powered to the top spot on the 401Gives leaderboard for the third consecutive year, thanks to a match challenge and robust outreach efforts. 

The East Providence-based nonprofit that supports young adolescents and adults who are currently or formerly in the foster care system raised $220,734 from a total of 349 donors by Monday’s 6 p.m. close of the United Way of Rhode Island’s annual community fundraising extravaganza.

401Gives set new records, raising $3,482,117 for 546 participating nonprofits serving Rhode Island. Gifts were made by a total of 15,205 donors.

The total fell short of the $4.01 million goal set for this year’s four-day weekend edition by the United Way of Rhode Island. But no one was complaining.

“The generosity of our community is special and shined throughout the weekend!” United Way of Rhode Island President & CEO Cortney Nicolato told Rhode Island Current. “All our numbers saw double digit increases. The nonprofits took this and ran with it! Proud of my team who work so hard to make this a reality.”

The aim of 401Gives is to make online giving easy with a platform and marketing support to encourage giving for, as originally conceived, a single day corresponding with the state’s area code. But with April 1 falling on a Saturday this year, organizers decided to stretch the fourth year of the event over a long weekend, accepting donations starting Friday, March 31, at 6 a.m. 

The first $100,000 of donations made to Foster Forward were matched dollar for dollar by a pair of sponsors, Waterson Terminal Services and The Baruch and Rebecca Goldstein Memorial Fund. That was the highest match amount for an organization in all of 401Gives history. Capstone donor The Eugene La Pietra Foundation contributed $25,000.

“We are so grateful for the incredible community support but most especially for our matching gifts sponsors,” said Foster Forward Executive Director Lisa Guillette. “This campaign has been a game changer for us and we are so grateful for the United Way of Rhode Island for bringing this fantastic day of giving to our state.”

Dozens of nonprofits raised $10,000 or more. The Alliance of RI Southeast Asians for Education, which raised $46,339, led the way in total gifts received with 648.

The Eugene La Pietra Foundation is closing out our @401Gives campaign with a $25,000 donation! How fitting that a foster care alumnus is completing our Waterson Terminal Services & Baruch & Rebecca Goldstein Memorial Fund $100,000 match challenge. Thank you to ALL our donors! pic.twitter.com/oaUG8PM3Au

— foster forward (@fosterforward) April 3, 2023