Cortney Nicolato: 20 Who Made a Difference in 2020

Cortney Nicolato: 20 Who Made a Difference in 2020

When she was tapped as one of GoLocal’s 19 to Watch in 2019, like so many others, United Way President Cortney Nicolato couldn’t have imagined her role in 2020.

2020 was supposed to be a big year for the United Way of Rhode Island — the nonprofit put forth an ambitious goal to raise $1 million on one day as part of “401 Gives” on April 1. 

Little did Nicolato know that would just be the tip of the iceberg in 2020.

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Millions more were raised by the United Way in 2020 to help Rhode Islanders in need during the coronavirus pandemic, with Nicolato at the helm.

The organization bolstered its online presence, hosting community forums on a range of issues including addressing the burgeoning and pressing housing and eviction problem. 

And when she wasn’t raising money, Nicolato was at the forefront of urging Rhode Islanders to complete the census, so that critical federal funds supporting social services wouldn’t be in jeopardy. 

Perhaps for the above reasons, people took notice — including one of the world’s richest women — MacKenzie Scott, former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos — opted to donate $10 million to the United Way of Rhode Island.