United Way’s Community Fund

We are often asked where donations to United Way go. How exactly does your donation make a local impact on people and communities in Niagara? While we are proudly making visible change through our community initiatives like growing and distributing fresh food, providing backpacks to kids in need and supplying agencies with period products, the bulk of United Way’s investments are harder to see.

The Community Fund is the general investment pot which supports the network of agencies and programs in our community that are working to help those in need and give everyone a chance to thrive in Niagara.

At the heart of United Way’s approach to turning barriers into opportunities is the Community Fund. The Community Fund is the general investment pot which supports the network of agencies and programs in our community that are working to help those in need and give everyone a chance to thrive in Niagara.

Stable funding is critical

Our partner agencies rely on sustainable funding year-over-year, to plan and execute the programs that help so many people. While one-time grants are helpful in emergency situations, purchasing food and supplies or bridging immediate funding gaps, if agencies don’t know when they will receive support, we cannot expect them to operate regularly.

Image of Elisabeth Zimmermann, Executive Director of the YWCA Niagara region. text overlay says: stable funding also provides the consistency for long term impact, such as the support we receive for the transitional housing program, it gives women the time to do the work they need to move to a place of stability.

United Way grants three-year funding to local agencies and programs to ensure a stable source of revenue but we can only grant what we know we have available to give. Every time applications for funding open, we receive triple the requests of what is available. It’s clear that that the need for support isn’t going away anytime soon. Your support each year with unrestricted gifts to the Community Fund can make a world of a difference.

“United Way is an important funder for the YWCA Niagara Region as there are many programs that we offer that would not exist without this funding.”

“United Way is an important funder for the YWCA Niagara Region as there are many programs that we offer that would not exist without this funding.  Having consistent three-year funding ensures that the programs that we provide for women and their families are sustainable and reliable for those who access them.  It also provides the consistency for long term impact, such as the support we receive for the transitional housing program, it gives women the time to do the work they need to move to a place of stability.  United Way also provides supplies such as back-packs, kitchen kits, feminine products and produce, this supplements our work and provides supports to women and their families that we otherwise would not be able to do.  Without United Way funding we would not be able to provide the programs that we do which are essential to the overall supports that we provide to women, girls and families.”

– Elisabeth Zimmermann, Executive Director of YWCA Niagara Region

Unrestricted gifts are key

Unrestricted gifts are key – as it allows our dedicated Community Investment volunteers to shift funds and grants to address the areas and issues of highest need. Being in constant communication with local agencies who are on the ground in our community, we know where funds will make the greatest impact.

“Without United Way funding we would not be able to provide the programs that we do which are essential to the overall supports that we provide to women, girls and families.”

Our goal is to grant funds to programs and agencies that can create the most impact possible – thus helping more people and in stronger more effective ways. We don’t want to put a band-aid on an issue while deeper root causes go unchecked. Providing the supports that can connect people to affordable housing or life skills for long-term success can be the difference that breaks deep-rooted cycles of poverty.

Our goal is to grant funds to programs and agencies that can create the most impact possible – thus helping more people and in stronger more effective ways.

Many of the issues we face in Niagara are complex and interconnected. Meeting people in need where they are and helping them along their journey towards independence means investing strongly in person-centered supports.

That’s why we need your help. Consider making an unrestricted gift that is meaningful to you. Together, we can turn barriers into opportunities in our community.

Learn more about the Community Investment process and funded partners