For the past several years, the Providence Equity Fund has invested in organizations working every day to build stronger, more equitable communities across Providence. As the initiative comes to a close, we are incredibly grateful to have been part of that story.
On June 25, the United Way of Rhode Island hosted the Providence Equity Fund Gathering at the African American Museum of Rhode Island, bringing together the 15 organizations that received funding through this groundbreaking initiative. The event celebrated the partnerships, people, and lasting impact created through the fund, while premiering a series of short films highlighting each organization’s work.
We were honored to have the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council featured in one of these videos.
Created by The Legacy Collective RI, the film shares the voices of community members whose lives have been touched by our Community Action programs. We are especially grateful to Jenny, Chachi, Yesenia, Naomi, and Luis for sharing their personal stories and experiences. Their voices are the heart of this work.
The Providence Equity Fund, a $1.5 million partnership between United Way of Rhode Island and the City of Providence, was created to address racial and economic inequities by supporting organizations expanding opportunity in underserved BIPOC communities. Funded through the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation and private United Way donations, the initiative invested in programs focused on economic mobility, culturally responsive education, community development, and closing the racial wealth gap.
For the WRWC, this support was transformative.
The funding was integral to our ability to continue offering programs like Campeones de Combate Climático, Nuevas Voces, community speaker series, and educational workshops. It also helped provide meals for participants, removing barriers to attendance and creating welcoming spaces where neighbors could gather, learn, and build community. During a period when our Olneyville Resilience Hub was temporarily closed, this investment allowed us to continue serving residents without interruption.
Behind every class, every shared meal, every leadership workshop, and every conversation is a network of partners who believe that thriving communities are built through trust, opportunity, and long-term investment. The Providence Equity Fund embodied that belief.
We also want to extend our sincere thanks to Carla and the entire team at United Way of Rhode Island. Carla has been an incredible champion of our work and of so many organizations across Providence. While we’re saddened to see the Equity Fund sunset, we’re deeply thankful for the relationships, support, and momentum it created.
Finally, thank you to The Legacy Collective RI for beautifully capturing these stories. Their commitment to empowering local storytellers and amplifying community voices made this project something truly special.
The work of the Providence Equity Fund may be ending, but its impact will continue to ripple through the people, organizations, and neighborhoods it helped strengthen. We are proud to have been part of its legacy and look forward to carrying that work forward.