United Way Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo is a 3-star charity. It is financially transparent, has reasonable overhead costs, and has an above average results reporting grade. 

Founded in 1978, United Way Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo (UWFM), formerly United Way of Fort McMurray, grants funds to local charities to improve lives and build a stronger community in Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo. In 2018, the charity changed its name to United Way Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo to better reflect the community that it serves. The charity’s three granting programs are: Healthy People Strong Communities, All That Kids Can Be, and From Poverty to Possibility. In F2021, its three largest grant recipients were Salvation Army ($339k), Pastew Place Detoxification Centre ($307k), and Some Other Solutions Society for Crisis Prevention ($214k). 

As part of its Building Strong Communities program, UWFM invests in programs that help ensure communities are great for everyone by improving equity, connections and overall well-being. In F2021, 315 people participated in 25 virtual and in-person cultural presentations and events held by Wood Buffalo Wellness Society. Local Hero Foundation treated 34 critically ill or seriously injured patients and then transported them by helicopter to a higher level of care. The Autism Society provided 4,438 hours of respite to families. 

Under its Helping Kids Be All They Can Be program, UWFM supports initiatives that ensure children and youth have the opportunity to thrive. In F2021, The Hub Family Resource Centre executed 172 safe visits between children and their parent/caregiver. It also executed 113 safe exchanges, transitioning children from one caregiver's home to another. Justin Slade Youth Foundation provided 961 youth between the ages of 12 and 17 with free programming. 

UWFM invests in programs that provide food, shelter, and other services under its From Poverty To Possibility Program. In F2021, it helped Salvation Army served 18,253 meals and Centre of Hope's intake program served 9,139 warm breakfast meals. It also gave out 7,641 pairs of warm socks and its patrons used showers 2,147 times. 

UWFM also owns and operates The Redpoll Centre. The United Way subleases space to sports, arts, culture and social profit organizations.

United Way of Fort McMurray received $4.2m in donations in F2021. Fundraising costs are 14% of total donations and administrative costs are 5% of revenues (excluding investment income). This results in total overhead spending of 19%. For each dollar donated, 81 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci's reasonable range for overhead spending. Funding reserves of $10.0m can cover program and grant expenses for just over 3 years at the F2021 level. 

UWFM is committed to spending $3.9m on its programs and grants over the next two years. This consists of $3.1m in F2022 and $783k in F2023.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to United Way of Fort McMurray. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated August 23, 2022 by Emily Downing.