EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — For nonprofits like the Izzy Foundation, days like GivingTuesday that spotlight charitable organizations are a lifeline.
“We couldn’t keep going; we’d have to close our doors without the community and their donations,” said Carla Mulhern, executive director of the Izzy Foundation.
The Providence-based nonprofit provides comfort and support to children with life-changing medical conditions and their families.
“We have two beautiful purple rooms at Hasbro Children’s Hospital,” Mulhern explained. “Families can come in 24 hours a day to get a warm cup of coffee, grab snacks, and feel Izzy’s hug as they walk through the door. It’s a safe haven in what can be a scary and overwhelming hospital environment.”
The foundation relies heavily on generosity to sustain its mission, but Mulhern noted that donations have started to decline.
“People are still giving, and we’re so grateful, but times are tough,” she said. “Inflation has made it harder for everyone. While we still see amazing support, contributions might be a little smaller than before.”
This challenge isn’t unique to the Izzy Foundation. Nonprofits across Rhode Island are grappling with similar issues.
“Inflation has hit nonprofits hard, just as it has affected individual families,” said Nancy Wolanski, director of the Alliance for Nonprofit Impact at United Way of Rhode Island.
Wolanski explained that the end of pandemic-related federal funding and the state’s budget deficit have left nonprofits more dependent on individual donors. The need for support is more urgent than ever, especially as community demands have surpassed pandemic-era levels.
“Expenses for nonprofits have risen, and we’re seeing more need in the community than we did during the pandemic,” Wolanski said. “Meanwhile, some families have had to reduce their giving because they have less disposable income.”
Even small, consistent donations can make a significant impact, Wolanski emphasized.
“Just $5, $10, or $15 a month may seem like a small amount to an individual, but for nonprofits, it provides stability and allows them to plan for the future,” she said.
To make giving easier, United Way of Rhode Island recently launched the Give4GoodRI website, a searchable database of local nonprofit organizations. The platform helps people learn more about dozens of charities in their communities and how to support them.
For nonprofits like the Izzy Foundation, GivingTuesday serves as a reminder of the power of collective generosity—and the critical role communities play in keeping their doors open.
