United Way of Calgary and Area is a 5-star rated charity. It has above average disclosure with an A+ grade for results reporting. Its overhead spending and funding reserves are both within Ci's reasonable range.

A Charity Intelligence 2025 Top 100 Rated Charity.

Founded in 1940, United Way of Calgary and Area (UWCA) raises money to support charities in the Greater Calgary area. Its mission is to mobilize communities for lasting social change. UWCA grants money to other charities and runs its own charitable programs to address poverty, mental health, social isolation, and domestic violence in Calgary.

UWCA has four focus areas: Social Inclusion, Socio-Economic Well-being, Healthy Relationships, and Mental Health. In 2025, UWCA spent $42.3m on its programs, which includes $34.0m in grants to partner organizations. It also provided $6.0m in donor-designated grants. UWCA supported 154 agency partners and served 272,386 people in 2025.

Social Inclusion accounted for 25% of spending. UWCA helps create equality and a sense of belonging for Calgarians, with a focus on minority and racialized groups who face systemic barriers. UWCA reports that 34% of Calgarians sometimes feel uncomfortable or out of place due to aspects of their identity. In 2025, UWCA supported 136 programs and collaboratives and served 161,763 people through 139 agency partners.

Socio-Economic Well-Being accounted for 29% of spending. UWCA helps improve people's financial and living situations. The unemployment rate in Calgary was 6.6% in early 2026, representing more than 74,000 people. UWCA supported 108 programs and collaboratives and served 173,252 people through 99 agency partners.

Healthy Relationships accounted for 24% of spending. UWCA helps people form positive relationships and supports those affected by domestic violence. In 2025, 69% of Calgarians were concerned about rates of domestic violence in the city. UWCA supported 92 programs and collaboratives and served 128,853 people through 132 agency partners.

Mental Health accounted for 22% of spending. UWCA supports Calgarians who struggle to access mental health services. In 2025, there were more than 239,000 emergency visits in Alberta for mental health conditions. UWCA supported 121 programs and collaboratives and served 123,191 people through 117 agency partners.

In 2025, UWCA had $68.5m in total revenues. Donations accounted for $55.1m or 80% of revenues. Government funding accounted for $6.4m or 9% of revenues. Investment income accounted for $7.0m or 10% of revenues. In 2025, UWCA spent $42.3m on its programs and grants. This was 62% of revenues.

In 2025, administrative and fundraising costs were $6.8m or 11% of revenues (less investment income). For every dollar donated to the charity 89 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci's reasonable range.

As of 2025, UWCA has $108.0m in cash and investments of which $5.1m is donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, its reserves can cover 2 years and 5 months of its annual program costs and grants. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

Updated on August 26, 2026 by Raihan Firosh. Comments and corrections may be forthcoming.