United Way Greater Toronto is a 4-star rated charity. It has average disclosure with a B grade for results reporting. Its overhead spending and funding reserves are within Ci’s reasonable range.

Founded in 1956, United Way Greater Toronto (UWGT) fundraises from communities and grants to local agencies to fight poverty, improve social conditions, and drive change. It supports people across Peel, Toronto, and York Region. UWGT primarily grants to local charities, working with over 300 community agencies to deliver programs. It also conducts research to identify causes of poverty and inequality in the GTA.

UWGT has three areas of spending: Community Services, Programs Supported by Government and Restricted Gifts, and Other programs including Inclusive Communities, Inclusive Employment, and Community Real Estate. In F2026, UWGT spent $91.4m on its programs and grants, which includes $82.6m in grants to partner organizations. It also provided $29.4m in donor-advised grants. UWGT reports reaching 1,800,000 people in F2026 through over 700 programs delivered by over 300 agencies. UWGT's largest Community Services grants in F2026 include: $2.5m to Family Service Toronto, $1.5m to Jewish Family and Child Service, $1.25m to The Neighbourhood Group, $1.25m to YWCA Toronto, and $1.2m to The Canadian Red Cross Toronto Region.

Community Services accounted for $70.1m or 77% of program costs. UWGT grants to over 300 local agencies delivering programs that support people in or at risk of poverty across Peel, Toronto, and York Region. In F2026, UWGT supported 288 affordable and supportive housing units and maintained 12 community coordination tables co-chaired with the City of Toronto, where local agencies and government coordinate responses to community issues. UWGT supported 4,123 unhoused individuals into safe and stable housing.

Programs Supported by Government and Restricted Gifts accounted for $13.0m or 14% of program costs. This includes Reaching Home, UWGT's federal homelessness strategy program administered for York Region, as well as the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group and Skills Development Fund. In F2026, UWGT supported 12 Reaching Home programs and over 40 seasonal projects.

Other Programs accounted for $8.4m or 9% of program costs. This includes Inclusive Communities, Inclusive Employment, and Community Real Estate. UWGT assisted 5,954 residents with tax filing and 18,214 residents with skills building and job training. It provided $4.0m in capital grants across 27 projects, developing 140,000 sq. ft. of new community space.

United Way Greater Toronto is a Major 100 charity, one of the largest charities in Canada in terms of donations. In F2026, UWGT had $156.4m in total revenues. Donations accounted for $135.1m ir 86% of revenues. Government funding was $12.7m or 8% of revenues. Investment income was $8.5m or 5% of revenues.

Administrative costs were $7.7m or 5% of revenues (less investment income). Fundraising costs were $26.3m or 20% of donations. For every dollar donated to UWGT 75 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

In F2026, UWGT spent $82.6m on grants, which is 72% of total revenues (less donor designated grants). Its cost to research and manage these grants was $8.8m, representing 11% of grants, on top of other overhead costs.

As of F2026, UWGT has $150.7m in cash and investments, of which $37.7m is donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, its reserves can cover 1 year and 3 months of its annual program costs and grants. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

Updated on August 27, 2026 by Raihan Firosh. Comments and corrections may be forthcoming.