Discover Non-Profit Organizations in Providence, RI dedicated to supporting and empowering your community. Our directory features organizations committed to addressing the unique needs and challenges of the community through advocacy, programs, and services.
Founded in 1981 by six pioneering women physicians, the Rhode Island Medical Women's Association has grown into Rhode Island's first and only organization exclusively dedicated to supporting women in medicine. Operating from Providence, RI, RIMWA represents a unique community of over 100 female medical professionals—including students, residents, fellows, and attending physicians—united by shared experiences and common goals. The organization was established on the principle that women doctors needed a dedicated space to address the distinctive challenges they face in the medical profession while advocating for the special needs of female patients. Today, RIMWA embodies a collective spirit of collaboration and mutual support, recognizing that women physicians bring essential perspectives and capabilities to healthcare. The association's mission extends beyond professional networking to encompass genuine mentorship, personal growth, and systematic advocacy for women's advancement in medicine. Members benefit from a supportive community that understands the intersection of professional excellence and personal fulfillment in medical careers. RIMWA's presence in Providence serves the broader Rhode Island medical community by fostering an environment where women physicians can share experiences, overcome obstacles together, and work toward a healthcare system that better serves both practitioners and patients. Through its commitment to recognizing and addressing the special needs of women in medicine, RIMWA continues to build a legacy of empowerment, solidarity, and positive change within Rhode Island's medical profession.
Based in Providence, Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Women's Bar Association has served as a cornerstone of women's advancement in the legal profession for decades. RIWBA was founded on the principle that women deserve equal opportunity and recognition within the law, a legacy that traces back to Ada Sawyer, Rhode Island's first female attorney in 1920. Today, the organization continues this pioneering spirit by creating meaningful connections among women attorneys, judges, and legal professionals across the state. The association's mission extends beyond professional development to encompass broader social justice goals, advocating for fair and equal administration of justice for all Rhode Island residents. Through mentorship programs, educational initiatives, and philanthropic efforts, RIWBA empowers women to advance their careers while contributing to their communities. The organization maintains a strong sense of sisterhood and cooperation, evidenced by its long line of respected presidents and the annual Ada Sawyer Award, which celebrates individuals who embody RIWBA's values of promoting women's status and enhancing the legal profession. For women attorneys, judges, and legal advocates in Providence and throughout Rhode Island, RIWBA represents both a professional home and a movement toward greater equality in the justice system. The association's commitment to addressing issues affecting women generally—alongside those specific to women in law—demonstrates its holistic approach to community improvement and social progress.
Founded in 1971 by a passionate group of women mathematicians, the Association for Women in Mathematics has evolved into a leading society within the mathematical sciences community. Operating from Providence, RI, AWM has played a critical role over five decades in increasing the presence and visibility of women in mathematics while fundamentally transforming the culture of the field. What began as a small grassroots movement has grown into a vibrant organization of 3,500 members united by shared commitment to equity and excellence. AWM recognizes that meaningful progress requires more than individual achievement—it demands that institutions across academia, government, and industry actively examine and reform their organizational cultures and promotional practices. The organization's work centers on fostering and maintaining a talented pool of female mathematicians who can access leadership positions and contribute diverse perspectives to solving complex problems. AWM's comprehensive approach includes mentorship networks, collaborative research initiatives, student chapter support, and advocacy for open scientific borders and international cooperation. The organization celebrates diversity across all dimensions—age, race, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background—believing that all people with mathematical interests deserve support and encouragement. Through awards recognizing excellence, publications sharing knowledge, and events bringing the community together, AWM creates spaces where women mathematicians thrive. The organization's impact extends beyond direct participants, influencing mathematics culture more broadly to create the nurturing, inclusive environment that was absent in the 1970s and 1980s.
Founded in 1998, PFLAG Greater Providence has grown into a cornerstone organization for families navigating the journey of understanding and accepting their LGBTQ children and relatives in the Providence, RI community. The chapter operates as a lifeline, serving hundreds of families who are seeking connection, education, and a sense of belonging during transformative moments in their lives. What distinguishes PFLAG Greater Providence is its deeply personal approach—recognizing that every family's path to acceptance is unique and deserving of compassionate support. The organization brings together parents, families, friends, and allies in both in-person and virtual settings, creating safe spaces where real conversations happen and genuine connections form. Operating as an all-volunteer nonprofit, PFLAG Greater Providence demonstrates unwavering commitment to its mission through consistent monthly meetings, community outreach initiatives, and advocacy efforts that extend across Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Eastern Connecticut. The chapter actively participates in regional Pride celebrations, hosts educational conferences addressing transgender health and legal planning, and organizes special events like Trans Thanksgiving and community action meetings. By grounding itself in the lived experiences of families and the broader LGBTQ community, PFLAG Greater Providence honors the belief that acceptance is a gift—one that enriches families and strengthens the fabric of the communities they serve. As part of the national PFLAG movement since 1973, the Providence chapter carries forward a legacy of family-centered advocacy and unconditional love.
Since its establishment in 1896, the Italo American Club of Rhode Island has served as a vital gathering place for Italian-Americans in Providence seeking to honor their heritage and build community bonds. When the club filed its charter with the State of Rhode Island in 1899, it embodied a mission that remains central today: creating a community center where industrious Italian-Americans could celebrate their shared culture and pursue common goals, much like the Italian immigrants who came seeking a new land of opportunity.
Throughout its storied history, the club has evolved into a cultural beacon for the Rhode Island Italian-American community. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Tancredi Granata in the 1920s and beyond, the organization entered a golden era, attracting internationally known scholars, artists, musicians, and diplomats to Providence. The club became renowned for theatrical productions and cultural events that set standards for quality and community engagement that endure to this day.
Today, the Italo American Club continues its legacy of service and tradition in Providence, RI with a new generation of young members committed to preserving Italian-American culture. The organization remains active in charitable endeavors, supporting families in need and investing in the education of Italian-American youth through annual scholarships. With leadership dedicated to perpetuating cultural traditions while upholding American ideals, the club honors those early founders and members who built this cherished institution, ensuring that future generations of Italian-Americans will carry forward the values and traditions of their beloved community.
Founded in 1979 by Virgilio DeVecchis and Ray Gallo, the Italian American Historical Society of Rhode Island stands as a vital community institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating Italian heritage in Providence, RI and beyond. The organization's mission centers on fostering deep appreciation for Italian culture in America while honoring the remarkable contributions Italian Americans have made to Rhode Island's history and growth. Rooted in the belief that strong communities are built on shared heritage and unity, the society brings together members who take pride in their American identity while maintaining the ancestral and ethnic traditions passed down through generations. The Italian American Historical Society of Rhode Island serves the broader community through social, cultural, and historical programs that engage both members and the general public. From hosting acclaimed artists and musicians to organizing educational trips and literary events, the organization creates meaningful opportunities for people to connect with their heritage. The society also demonstrates its commitment to future generations through annual scholarship awards and the development of genealogical resources that help families trace their Italian roots. By documenting personal narratives in publications like 'Voices of Rhode Island's Italian-Americans,' the organization memorializes the courage, determination, and devotion to family that characterize the Italian American experience. Through these initiatives, the Italian American Historical Society of Rhode Island strengthens cultural bonds and ensures that the rich legacy of Italian Americans continues to inspire and inform the community.
Since 2000, the Turkish American Cultural Society of Rhode Island has been a cornerstone of cultural preservation and community support in Providence, RI. Founded on the principle that problem-solving requires diverse perspectives and willingness to take risks, TACS-RI brings together Turkish Americans and community members who share a commitment to celebrating heritage while addressing contemporary challenges. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, TACS-RI operates with a clear mission: to educate the public about the many dimensions of Turkey while strengthening the bonds within the Rhode Island community. What sets TACS-RI apart is its commitment to both cultural education and practical community action. The organization goes beyond traditional cultural programming by actively supporting local schools and addressing food insecurity through donation initiatives. TACS-RI's approach reflects a deep understanding that cultural organizations can be forces for positive change, combining historical and anthropological education with real-world community service. Located in Providence, TACS-RI welcomes individuals from all backgrounds to learn about Turkish culture, participate in community events, and contribute to meaningful causes. The organization's non-political stance ensures that its focus remains on the universal human dimensions of Turkish life—its history, traditions, sociology, and anthropology. For those seeking to connect with Turkish heritage or simply wanting to support a community-minded organization making a tangible difference in Providence, TACS-RI represents a unique opportunity to be part of something larger than oneself.