Founded in 1941, United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (UWKFLA) grants funds to local charities to improve lives and build a stronger community. UWKFLA reports that there are 17,895 people in Kingston living below the poverty line and 33% of homeless people are under 18 (2013 census data). UWKFLA’s three granting programs are: Moving People from Poverty to Possibility, Building Strong and Healthy Communities, and Helping Kids Be All They Can Be. In response to the covid-19 pandemic, UWKFLA launched Local Love in a Global Crisis, an additional program aimed to provide emergency support.

In F2020, UWKFLA spent $5.0m on programs and granting activities. In total, UWKFLA reports it funded 70 agencies and 220 programs to help 79,967 people. 

Moving People from Poverty to Possibility accounted for 36% of program spending in F2020. The program works to increase access to shelters and affordable housing. In F2020, UWKFLA supported 39,875 people through 35 agencies and 79 programs. 213 people at risk of eviction received supports to remain housed in F2020. UWKFLA also has a five-year initiative that focuses on reducing youth homelessness in Kingston. 208 homeless and at-risk youth received mental health support and 126 youth received support to prevent homelessness in F2020. 

Local Love in a Global Crisis accounted for 30% of program spending in F2020. The charity spent $1.7m on covid-19 emergency grants. This program is funded primarily through the Canadian government's Emergency Support Fund. 7,957 kids, adults and seniors participated in virtual programs such as camps and group classes in F2020. 

Building Strong and Healthy Communities accounted for 24% of program spending in F2020. The goal of the Building Strong and Healthy Communities is to help people improve their mental health and connect to support programs. UWKFLA helped 24,023 people through funding 38 agencies and 75 programs in F2020. The charity's hotline, which connects people in need with resources, was called by 1,708 people in F2020. 

Helping Kids Be All They Can Be accounted for the final 10% of program spending in F2020. The charity funds agencies that focus on youth learning, community involvement, and physical and emotional wellbeing. United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington funded 11 organizations and 19 programs to help 16,069 kids in F2020. 

United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington has donations and special event revenues of $4.5m in F2020. The charity received $2.0m in government funding, representing 29% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 2% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 14% of donations and special events. This results in total overhead spending of 16%. For every dollar donated, 84 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

UWKFLA has $8.3m in funding reserves, of which $2.9m is donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity could cover 111% or around 1 year and 1 month of annual program costs with current reserves.

Some of the charity's top grantees include Kingston Home Base Non-Profit Housing ($459k), Lionhearts ($332k), Kingston Youth Shelter ($266k), and HIV/AID’s Regional Services ($194k).

This charity report is an update that has been sent to United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on August 4, 2021 by Brenleigh Jebb.