How does the United Way decide where to invest donor dollars? United Way uses research and knowledge of social issues in the allocation of donor dollars to determine where they will have the greatest benefit to our community. United Way’s professional expertise about social services ensures that donor dollars are invested well in the community.

United Way supports agencies that demonstrate strong fiscal management and deliver effective programs. Volunteers on the Citizens Review Panel & granting committees work with United Way professionals to review the agency applications and assess their performance and results.

Community Impact Areas

All funding will be disbursed to programs and services that fit within 3 community impact areas. These areas are:

• Growing Up Great
• Turning Lives Around
• Belonging to Community

Community Investment Fund

The Community Investment Fund allows United Way to provide stable, ongoing funding to its member agencies. United Way member agencies receive funding for specific programs through an annual rigorous review process. This also includes demonstration grants.

One-time Grants - 3 Streams

United Way also awards a number of one-time grants through the year. These grants are provided through 3 funding streams: Community Impact Grants, Innovation Grants and Success By 6 Grants.

These funding streams include opportunities for United Way member and non-member agency applicants, and encourage agencies to be innovative and entrepreneurial in their response to social needs.

An agency can receive one-time grants from a particular stream for 2 consecutive years. The agency will then need to wait for 3 years before being eligible to apply for funding again from that particular stream.

To qualify for funding, an agency...

• must be incorporated and registered as a charitable organization under the Canada Income Tax Act
• must provide programs and/or services to local communities in the geographic area of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington
• must provide services and/or programs of a health and social service nature which does not duplicate existing programs and/or services
• must effectively use volunteers in service delivery, be volunteer led and have volunteer involvement
• must provide annual audited financial statements
• must commit to sign and adhere to a United Way agreement

The United Way will not fund:

• direct funds to individuals
• capital construction costs
• fund raising efforts by our member agencies
• deficit funding
• program operation reserves
• dollar for dollar replacement of government funding