AIA Rhode Island (AIAri)

What AIA Rhode Island (AIAri) does

AIA Rhode Island (AIAri), legally American Institute of Architects Rhode Island Inc., is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional association founded in 1875 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. As the seventh oldest chapter of The American Institute of Architects, AIAri represents over 250 architects, architectural design professionals, and allied members across the state, operating alongside a separate 501(c)(3) charitable entity called the AIA Rhode Island Architectural Forum, which administers scholarships exceeding $149,000 to date for students in NAAB-accredited architecture programs.

The organization's core offerings are professional services rather than technology products. AIAri maintains a searchable Find an Architect directory of Certificate of Authorization (COA)-certified firms filterable by specialty (Adaptive Re-Use, Civic/Institutional, Education, Healthcare, Historic Preservation, Hospitality, Industrial, Interior Architecture, Life Sciences, Mixed-Use, Planning, Renovation, Residential, Retail, Small Projects), a Member Directory of individual AIA and Associate AIA members, and a chapter calendar of events distributed via Google Calendar, iCalendar, and Outlook integrations. Continuing education programming supports Rhode Island's licensure requirement of 24 CEUs every two years (12 per calendar year, all HSW) and AIA's 18 Learning Unit requirement. Flagship events include the Honor & Design Awards, Golf Classic, Billiards Night, the AIAri + A4LE Sunset Sail, and the AIAri + RIDE School Building Authority Showcase. Members also access AIA Contract Documents, the AIAU online education platform, and FAIA fellowship designation through the College of Fellows.

AIAri generates revenue through membership dues (annual subscription, priced by category including AIA, Assoc. AIA, FAIA, Intl. Assoc. AIA, Student Affiliate, Emeritus), event registration fees and sponsorships, and a Patron Level Chapter Partners program featuring six named corporate sponsors (Spectrum Lighting, Secure Future Use, Gilbane, Arnold Design Group, Illuminate, Pella Windows and Doors). The organization's go-to-market is community-led, with recruitment driven through the website's Join & Renew pathway, member directory visibility, advocacy for the profession, and continuing education offerings. AIAri is governed by a volunteer board including a President, Vice-President/President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Directors, supported by a small professional staff of approximately five led by Executive Director Mark A. Male, MLIS.

Name

AIA Rhode Island (AIAri)

Legal name

American Institute of Architects Rhode Island Inc.

Website

https://aia-ri.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1875

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AIA Rhode Island (AIAri) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional association founded in 1875 and the seventh oldest AIA chapter, representing over 250 architects and design professionals in Rhode Island through membership services, continuing education, advocacy, flagship events, and scholarship programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Professional association membership dues from architects and allied members. The organization is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional association.
2. Events and Programs: Flagship events including Golf Classic, Honor & Design Awards, Billiards Night, and Sunset Sail generate revenue through registration fees and sponsorships. Golf Classic proceeds donate to the scholarship fund.
3. Chapter Partnerships: Patron Level Chapter Partners (Spectrum Lighting, Secure Future Use, Gilbane, Arnold Design Group, Illuminate, Pella) provide sponsorship and partnership revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AIA Rhode Island operates a 501(c)(6) professional membership association serving over 250 architects, architectural design professionals, and allied members in Rhode Island. It sells annual memberships, hosts flagship networking and recognition events (Golf Classic, Honor & Design Awards, Billiards Night, Sunset Sail), provides continuing education programs, maintains the Find an Architect public directory, and administers student scholarships through its affiliated 501(c)(3) AIAri Architectural Forum.

Product overview

AIA Rhode Island (AIAri) is a professional membership association, not a technology product company. Its core offering consists of member directories — the Find an Architect directory (for searching COA-certified architecture firms by specialty) and the Member Directory (for locating individual AIA and Associate AIA members) — complemented by a year-round Chapter Calendar of events, the flagship Honor & Design Awards program, and continuing education opportunities. The AIAri Architectural Forum (a 501(c)(3) subsidiary) administers student scholarship programs. Resources include AIA Contract Documents, architect licensure guidance, R.I. building codes, and the ACE Mentor Program. The Chapter Partners Program facilitates corporate sponsorships. Together these services support the professional development and public advocacy mission of Rhode Island's 250+ architect members and architecture firms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Find an Architect A searchable online directory allowing the public to find member architecture firms by specialty (Adaptive Re-Use, Civic/Institutional, Education K-12/Higher Ed, Healthcare, Historic Preservation, Hospitality, Industrial, Interior Architecture, Life Sciences, Mixed-Use, Planning, Renovation, Residential, Retail, Small Projects) and firm name, enabling direct contact with COA-certified Rhode Island architecture firms.
• Member Directory A searchable database of AIA and Associate AIA members listing individuals by name, member type (AIA, Assoc. AIA, Intl. Assoc. AIA, Student Affiliate, Emeritus), firm affiliation, and designation. Provides keyword and field search functionality for locating licensed architects and architectural professionals in Rhode Island.
• College of Fellows A fellowship recognition program for AIA members elected to Fellowship by peer jury, representing one of the highest honors the AIA bestows. The Rhode Island chapter lists Fellows dating back to 1857, honoring architects who have made significant contributions to architecture and society.
• Chapter Calendar & Events A calendar of chapter events including committee meetings, webinars, project tours, and networking functions. Provides subscription via Google Calendar, iCalendar, Outlook 365, Outlook Live, and .ics file export.
• Honor & Design Awards Annual design awards program recognizing outstanding works of architecture by Rhode Island architects, honoring project teams and clients.
• AIAri + RIDE School Building Authority Showcase Collaborative showcase event with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and Rhode Island School Building Authority, highlighting school construction projects including new schools, additions, and major renovations transforming learning environments statewide.
• Billiards Night Annual social networking event for AIAri members and new members, held at Bo's Bar and Billiards in Warwick, RI. The 7th Annual event was scheduled for January 29, 2026.
• Continuing Education Continuing education program enabling architects to earn CEUs required for Rhode Island state licensure (24 CEU every 2 years, 12 per calendar year, all HSW) and AIA membership (18 LUs, 12 HSW). AIAri offers numerous CEU opportunities throughout the year; AIAU provides online CEU courses in Design, Practice, and Building Science.
• AIA Contract Documents Access to over 180 AIA contract forms and documents that define relationships and terms involved in design and construction projects, recognized as the industry standard. Available via aiacontracts.org.
• AIAri Architectural Forum A 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by AIA Rhode Island to support educational programs within the architectural community. Primary vehicle is a scholarship program awarding multiple scholarships to qualified financial aid-eligible students studying architecture in NAAB-accredited programs. Has awarded over $149,000 in scholarships.
• Student Scholarships Annual scholarship awards program administered by the AIAri Architectural Forum for students in NAAB-accredited undergraduate and graduate architecture degree programs. Includes The Norton E. Salk Scholarship for Design Excellence, DF Pray Foundation Scholarship, and AIA Architecture Scholarship.
• Golf Classic Annual Golf Classic event, with proceeds donated to the AIA Rhode Island scholarship fund.
• Chapter Partners Program Corporate partnership program at Patron Level supporting AIAri events and programs. Current partners include Spectrum Lighting, Secure Future Use, Gilbane Building Company, Arnold Design Group, Illuminate, and Pella Windows and Doors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $149,000 in scholarships awarded to architecture students to date
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered patron level, flagship and core.

• Spectrum Lightingpatron levelOthersPatron Level Chapter Partner of AIA Rhode Island, providing industry support for chapter programs and events.
• Secure Future Usepatron levelOthersPatron Level Chapter Partner of AIA Rhode Island, supporting the chapter's mission and programs.
• Gilbanepatron levelOthersPatron Level Chapter Partner of AIA Rhode Island - major construction and real estate development firm.
• Arnold Design Grouppatron levelOthersPatron Level Chapter Partner of AIA Rhode Island, providing design industry partnership.
• Illuminatepatron levelOthersPatron Level Chapter Partner of AIA Rhode Island.
• Pella Windows and Doorspatron levelOthersPatron Level Chapter Partner of AIA Rhode Island, providing window and door products partnership.
• Rhode Island School Building Authority (RIDE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for the 2026 School Building Authority Showcase event, highlighting school construction projects across Rhode Island including new schools, additions, and major renovations transforming learning environments.
• Association for Learning Environments (A4LE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the annual Sunset Sail networking event, combining AIAri and A4LE members for professional networking and community building.
• The American Institute of Architects (National)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIAri is a state component of The American Institute of Architects. National AIA provides contract documents, continuing education platform (AIAU), advocacy framework, and fellowship designation (FAIA).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA): International professional membership body for architects in the UK. Operates the same chartered-association model with member directory, continuing education (CPD), and prestigious fellowship (RIBA International Fellowship) — functionally equivalent at a national scale.
• The American Institute of Architects (AIA National): National parent organization of AIAri and all 50+ state chapters. Operates the same professional membership model for U.S. architects, providing contract documents, AIAU continuing education, and FAIA fellowship elevation — making it the closest structural peer and the umbrella body that sets AIAri's brand standards.

Others

• Urban Land Institute (ULI): Cross-disciplinary professional membership association for real estate and land use professionals. Comparable community-led GTM, recurring membership dues, district council structure (analogous to AIA chapters), and event-based revenue — useful proxy for professional-association operating economics.

Direct peers

• AIA Massachusetts: Sister New England AIA state chapter serving Massachusetts architects. Operates the same component-chapter model, member directory, and CEU programming — the most directly comparable regional peer in terms of geography, scale, and member services.
• Boston Society for Architecture (BSA): Regional professional architecture organization serving the greater Boston area. Comparable professional membership and advocacy model — though it operates as an independent society rather than an AIA state component, it serves a similar role for architects in an adjacent metro area.
• AIA New York: Larger AIA state chapter representing New York architects. Operates the same chapter model with member directory, design awards, advocacy, and CEU programming — comparable in structure though materially larger in scale.
• AIA Vermont: Small New England AIA state chapter comparable in scale to AIAri. Operates the same component-chapter model for Vermont architects — relevant peer given similar small-state constraints on membership growth.
• AIA New Jersey: Adjacent AIA state chapter serving New Jersey architects. Runs the same component-chapter structure with comparable member services — directly comparable as a small-to-mid-sized peer state chapter in the Northeast.
• AIA Connecticut: Adjacent New England AIA state chapter serving Connecticut architects. Runs the same state-component structure with member directory, design awards, and advocacy programming — a tight geographic and operational peer to AIAri.
• AIA New Hampshire: Small New England AIA state chapter, comparable in scale to AIAri. Operates the same component-chapter model and member programming — useful scale-and-geography benchmark for assessing AIAri's operating efficiency.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aia-rhodeisland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AIA Rhode Island (AIAri)