United Way of Alberta Capital Region
STAR RATINGCi's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics: |
✔+
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
Audited financial statements for current and previous years available on the charity’s website.
B+
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.
51%
CENTS TO THE CAUSE
For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 51 cents are available for programs.
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OVERVIEW
About United Way of Alberta Capital Region :
United Way of Alberta Capital Region is a 3-star charity that is financially transparent. It has a B+ results reporting grade, which is above average. For every dollar donated to the charity, 51 cents are available to go to the cause.
Founded in 1941, United Way of Alberta Capital Region (UWACR) aims to improve the well-being of people in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region (EMR). This region includes Fort Saskatchewan, Sherwood Park, Strathcona County, St. Albert, Leduc County, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, and Parkland County. UWACR grants money to support programs in the EMR and runs its own programs.
A Charity Intelligence 2024 Top 100 Rated Charity.
UWACR focuses on three areas: Education, Financial Empowerment, and Mental Health. Charity Intelligence estimates UWACR spent $21.9m on its programs and grants in its fiscal year ending March 2024 (F2024). UWACR also reports an additional $1.6m in donor-designated grants. Ci did not find a breakdown of program spending in the charity's annual report or on its website. The most recent investment report at the time of this update was from 2023.
Education funding helps eliminate barriers to education. In 2023, the charity reports that 35,013 students participated in healthy development programs. 4,543 children participated in after-school programs that help social development. 8,059 children and caregivers received early learning and parenting support. UWACR reports that in total, 48,061 people accessed education supports in 2023.
Financial Empowerment funding supports money management training, job training, and providing necessities. UWACR states that one in six people in the EMR live in poverty. In 2023, the charity reports that 78,793 people received healthy meals or food hampers. 1,522 people received financial literacy training. 1,260 people received job skills training. UWACR reports that in total, 89,834 people accessed financial empowerment supports in 2023.
Mental Health funding helps connect people to mental health support. UWACR states that one in five Albertans report that their mental health is fair or poor. 211 Alberta is a mental health line people can call to connect with mental health support. In 2023, the charity reports that 211 Alberta answered over 85,000 contacts. 15,922 people received mental health counseling. 3,420 people who experienced gender-based violence received support. UWACR reports that in total, 89,834 people accessed mental health supports in 2023.
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Results and Impact
All in For Youth (AIFY) provides school supports to students from kindergarten to grade 12. Of students who spent three or more years in AIFY schools, 62% completed high school. UWACR reports that this is a 27% increase compared to students with similar social demographics.
UWACR reports that 82% of surveyed children and youth accessing education supports demonstrated improved developmental skills in 2023. 89% of caregivers reported that they were better able to support the healthy development of their children.
Empower U provides financial education, one-on-one coaching, and savings matches. UWACR reports that 97% of participants said their financial knowledge improved after taking part in Empower U in 2023.
UWACR reports that 89% of surveyed participants in its mental health programs reported improved support networks in 2023. Additionally, 80% reported having improved mental health skills.
While Ci highlights these key results, they may not completely represent United Way of Alberta Capital Region’s results and impact.
Charity Intelligence has not yet rated UWACR on impact (n/r). This does not affect the star rating.
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Finances
United Way of Alberta Capital Region’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, a best practice. This means its expenses are clearly defined between program, administrative, and fundraising categories.
In F2024 UWACR received $14.6m in donations. It also received $14.9m in government funding. Government funding is 49% of total revenue.
Administrative costs are 8% of revenues (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 41% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 49%. For every dollar donated, 51 cents are available to go to the cause. This falls outside Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.
UWACR spent $21.9m on its programs and grants in F2024, which is 73% of its revenue (excluding donor designated grants). In F2024 it had a deficit of $1.6m.
United Way of Alberta Capital Region has $13.3m in gross reserve funds (cash and investments). It also has $182k in interest-bearing debts. This results in net reserve funds of $13.1m. The reserves can cover 60%, or seven months of program costs.
UWACR changed its auditors from PWC to KPMG in F2024.
This charity report is an update that has been sent for review to United Way Alberta Capital Region. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.
Updated on June 13, 2025, by Grady Simpson.
Financial Review
Fiscal year ending March
|
2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative costs as % of revenues | 8.0% | 9.6% | 0.0% |
| Fundraising costs as % of donations | 40.5% | 28.6% | 30.9% |
| Total overhead spending | 48.5% | 38.3% | 30.9% |
| Program cost coverage (%) | 59.9% | 94.4% | 87.3% |
Summary Financial StatementsAll figures in $000s |
2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 14,550 | 19,672 | 15,807 |
| Government funding | 14,905 | 3,968 | 9,469 |
| Investment income | 725 | 453 | 78 |
| Other income | 25 | 319 | 463 |
| Total revenues | 30,205 | 24,412 | 25,817 |
| Program costs | 12,523 | 7,262 | 9,907 |
| Grants | 9,384 | 9,042 | 9,289 |
| Donor-designated donations | 1,625 | 1,603 | 2,266 |
| Administrative costs | 2,349 | 2,307 | 0 |
| Fundraising costs | 5,898 | 5,635 | 4,879 |
| Total spending | 31,779 | 25,850 | 26,341 |
| Cash flow from operations | (1,573) | (1,438) | (524) |
| Capital spending | 152 | 64 | 63 |
| Funding reserves | 13,123 | 15,390 | 16,762 |
Note: Deferred adjustment: UWACR uses deferred accounting. To show donors information on a consistent basis, Ci adjusted for these deferred revenues. This affected revenue by ($936k) in F2024, $2.0m in F2023, and ($2.1m) in F2022. Amortization of deferred capital contributions. Ci adjusted for amortization of deferred capital contributions. This affected revenues by ($11k) in F2024, F2023, and F2022. Campaign pledges receivable: Ci adjusted for campaign pledges receivable. This affected revenues by ($251k) in F2024, $1.2m in F2023, and $255k in F2022. Amortization: Ci removed amortization on a pro rata basis from program, administrative, and fundraising costs in F2024, F2023, and F2022. Administration: Ci backed out administrative costs from program costs and reported it as administrative costs. Change in grants and other receivables: Ci adjusted for change in grants and other receivables. This affected revenues by $2.4m in F2024, ($2.9m) in F2023, and $211k in F2022.
Salary Information
$350k + |
0 |
$300k - $350k |
0 |
$250k - $300k |
0 |
$200k - $250k |
1 |
$160k - $200k |
0 |
$120k - $160k |
5 |
$80k - $120k |
4 |
$40k - $80k |
0 |
< $40k |
0 |
Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2024
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Comments & Contact
Comments added by the Charity:
Learn More:
United Way of the Alberta Capital Region 2023 Investment Report
Charity Contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 780-990-1000