United Way of Calgary and Area

600-105 12 Ave SE
Calgary, AB T2G 1A1
President & CEO: Karen Young
Board Chair: Stephanie Pankratz

Charitable Reg. #:13022 9750 RR0001

STAR RATING

Ci's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics:

[Charity Rating: 4/5]

✔+

FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY

Audited financial statements for current and previous years available on the charity’s website.

A-

RESULTS REPORTING

Grade based on the charity's public reporting of the work it does and the results it achieves.

n/r

DEMONSTRATED IMPACT

The demonstrated impact per dollar Ci calculates from available program information.

NEED FOR FUNDING

Charity's cash and investments (funding reserves) relative to how much it spends on programs in most recent year.

88%

CENTS TO THE CAUSE

For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 88 cents are available for programs.



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OVERVIEW

About United Way of Calgary and Area:

United Way of Calgary and Area is a 4-star charity. It is financially transparent, has an above average results reporting grade and reasonable overhead costs. With current reserves, the charity can cover just over two years of annual program costs.

Founded in 1940, United Way of Calgary and Area (United Way Calgary) raises money to support local charities in the Greater Calgary Area. It is one of 100 local United Way Centraides in Canada, which all share a common mission of mobilizing communities for lasting social change. United Way Calgary’s primary activity is distributing money to other charities, but it also runs its own initiatives. United Way Calgary has four focus areas: Mental Health, Healthy Relationships, Socio-Economic Wellbeing, and Social Inclusion. United Way Calgary also funds the Social Impact Lab.

In F2022, United Way Calgary granted $33.7m to other agencies, including $7.0m in donor-designated grants. In F2022, United Way Calgary worked with 122 partner agencies to support 143 programs and two large scale initiatives. The charity overall helped 167,310 individuals in F2022.

Mental Health – United Way Calgary helps fund 211, a free and confidential service that assists people, who don’t know where to turn, with problems. The service is available 24/7 by phone, text, and chat, in more than 170 languages.

Healthy Relationships – In F2022, United Way Calgary funded FearIsNotLove, formerly known as Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter. FearIsNotLove delivers the Take a Stand program, which teaches individuals and agencies how to deal with people suffering from family violence and abuse. In F2022, FearIsNotLove trained 15 individuals to deliver the Take a Stand program, which is now available in nine languages.

Socio-Economic Wellbeing – In F2022, United Way Calgary’s All In for Youth (AIFY)  program served 4,522 students through 25 schools. In ten of these schools there were Success Coaches, who help youth overcome barriers to school completion. The other 15 schools had Barrier Removal Funds, to help students fund basic needs such as food, medical services, transportation, and school supplies.

Social Inclusion – In partnership with Rotary Clubs of Calgary and the City of Calgary, United Way Calgary helps run six community hubs. In F2022, 43,158 people participated in activities, services and supports at the community hubs. In the same year, United Way Calgary supported nearly 2,000 Ukrainian evacuees and families.

Social Impact Lab – United Way’s Social Impact Lab researches and generates new knowledge to improve existing programs, partnerships and systems. In 2020, the Social Impact Lab started an initiative called The Market, which aims to remove stigmas around food insecurity and increase access to affordable food. The Market is a Pay-What-You-Want grocery store where the customers can determine the price of the products they are purchasing. In 2022, the Social Impact Lab hosted two pop-up Markets that served 1,228 people.

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Results and Impact

United Way of Calgary reports that for F2022, 91% of people accessing the 143 funded program through its partner agencies experienced improved well-being. Specifically, the charity reports that 84% of people accessing relevant programs and services experienced improved socio-economic well-being. It also reports that 93% of people accessing relevant programs and services experienced a positive change in their mental health. 93% of people participating in opportunities to take part in their communities experienced improved social inclusion. Also, 83% of people accessing relevant programs and services gained knowledge and tools to support healthy relationships.  

While Ci highlights these key results, they may not be a complete representation of United Way Calgary’s results and impact. This charity is not yet rated on impact (n/r).

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Finances

United Way Calgary received $57.1m in donations in F2022. Fundraising and administrative costs are 12% of total revenues (less investment income). This means that total overhead costs were 12% in F2022. For every dollar donated, 88 cents go to the cause. This falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

United Way Calgary has $83.2m in reserve funds, of which $4.1m is donor-endowed. Reserve funds are the charity’s cash and investments. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity could cover two years and two months of program costs at the 2022 level using its funding reserves.

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


Updated on July 7, 2023 by Alessandra Castino. Revised on July 27, 2023 after discussions with United Way Calgary's team. 

Financial Review


Financial Ratios

Fiscal year ending December
202220212020
Fundraising & admin costs as % of revenues 12.2%13.0%12.5%
Total overhead spending 12.1%13.0%12.5%
Program cost coverage (%) 216.7%233.6%149.3%

Summary Financial Statements

All figures in $000s
202220212020
Donations 57,05748,65159,285
Government funding 07651,636
Investment income (6,407)5,4257,196
Other income 2344711,340
Total revenues 50,88455,31269,457
Program costs 10,04110,4619,679
Grants 26,68823,94139,056
Donor-designated donations 6,9657,2166,824
Fundraising & administrative costs 6,9596,4757,797
Total spending 50,65348,09363,356
Cash flow from operations 2317,2196,101
Capital spending 693267528
Funding reserves 83,22484,55276,968

Note: Ci adjusted for deferred donations, affecting total revenues by $4.9m in F2022, $865k in F2021 and $5.1m in F2020. Investment income includes realized and unrealized investment gains (losses), affecting total revenue by ($8.4m) in F2022, $2.8m in F2021, and $3.5m in F2020. Amortization has been removed from program, administrative and fundraising costs on a pro-rata basis.   

Salary Information

Full-time staff: 95

Avg. compensation: $94,022

Top 10 staff salary range:

$350k +
1
$300k - $350k
0
$250k - $300k
0
$200k - $250k
2
$160k - $200k
4
$120k - $160k
3
$80k - $120k
0
$40k - $80k
0
< $40k
0

Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2021

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Comments & Contact

Comments added by the Charity:

Charity Contact

Website: www.calgaryunitedway.org
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 403-231-6265

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