United Way of Calgary and Area

About United Way of Calgary and Area:

Founded in 1940, United Way of Calgary and Area (UWC) improves the lives of people in the Greater Calgary area by raising money and distributing funds to local charities. In F2017, UWC supported 101 charities to provide 229 programs and initiatives. All sponsored programs align with one or more of UWC’s focus areas: Strong Communities, Successful Kids, and Overcoming Poverty.

In F2017, United Way of Calgary and Area distributed $40.5 million grants, helping 152,824 people. UWC runs the Group for Assisting and Improving Non-profits (GAIN), comprised of 61 skilled volunteers. In F2017, GAIN worked with 72 agencies and 98 projects to improve organizational effectiveness. GAIN focuses on program design, governance and evaluation, while also providing guidance relating to business strategy, human resources/volunteer management, leadership, and finance.

United Way of Calgary and Area allocated 48% of grants to Strong Communities in F2017. Strong Communities grantees address social isolation, improve mental health, help Indigenous communities, or free victims of domestic abuse. UWC supported 130 community programs and initiatives which were accessed by 80,352 people in F2017.

Successful Kids received 28% of grants in F2017, distributed to 35 local charities. Successful Kids programs support early childhood development, improve kids’ confidence by providing positive adult role models, and teach teens how to be independent. Programs also worked with 1,684 parents, giving them tools and skills to support their child’s education.  

In F2017, UWC allocated 24% of grants to Overcoming Poverty, working with people to meet basic needs, improve their finances, and develop job skills. UWC aims to reduce poverty in Calgary by 50% by 2023, meaning a positive increase in the net worth of 45,600 low-income Calgarians.

Results and Impact: United Way of Calgary and Area’s Strong Communities programs helped 16,968 people to better cope with mental illness and 2,007 people feel safer after improved communication with their partner. UWC reports that 85% of domestic violence programs receiving grants were effective, along with 88% of those addressing mental health, and 90% of grantees with Indigenous community programming.

The Success Coach program matched 458 high schoolers with adult mentors. Of the students supported, 92% (421) reported increased confidence and 98% (449) felt they have at least one more positive connection to an adult. Successful Kids also provided funding for a career fair which was hosted by community members and attended by 238 students. All students in attendance reported that they became more aware of how to reach their career goals.

In F2017, low-income Calgarians received $3.7 million after trained volunteers filed 8,445 tax returns on their behalf. People were taught to save and encouraged to do so through savings matching programs, with participants accumulating an average of $1,286 in assets. UWC reports that 88% of employment programs that received grants were effective, 90% effectiveness for those fulfilling basic needs, and 94% effectiveness for programs improving personal finances.

Financial Review:

United Way of Calgary and Area is a Major 100 charity, receiving donations of $53.3m in F2017. Since F2014, donations have fallen by nearly 12%. UWC has reduced spending on its own programs by 8% and grants to other agencies by 13%, yet has increased its reserves by 33%

Administrative costs are 6% of revenues and fundraising costs are 6% of donations. For every $1 donated, 88 cents go to the cause, falling well within Ci’s reasonable range. The charity has $77.1m in funding reserves, of which $23.2m is donor-endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity could run programs for over a year using reserves.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to United Way of Calgary and Area for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on July 20, 2018 by Madison Kerr.