The United Way invests in programs that have a wide range of impact. These programs support thousands of local residents, helping them when they need it the most. Last year, over 59,000 local residents found support through United Way funded programs. Just in the first four months of the pandemic, 42,000 people have been served by local programs funded in part by United Way.
NEW: Between October 5 and October, 30, 2020, United Way of KFL&A and Community Foundations of Kingston & Area and Napanee will be disbursing the second round of Emergency Community Support Funds. For more information please visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca/ecsf/
Investing in the Community
Funding is disbursed to programs in the KFL&A region that fit within United Way’s three Community Impact Areas:
(1) Helping Kids Be All They Can Be
(2) Building Strong and Healthy Communities
(3) Moving People From Poverty to Possibility
To learn more about United Way’s funding strategy, please click the link below. Please note the Community Investment Strategy has been updated for 2021 to adjust for the impact of Covid-19 on program delivery. It will be reviewed periodically to ensure it is still relevant to address local needs.
1. Partner Agency Funding
Through an annual rigorous review process by volunteers who participate in our Review Panels, United Way allocates ongoing, stable funding to its partner agencies for specific programs. Partner Agency funding allows agencies the flexibility to develop and respond to the emerging needs of the communities they serve. It allows them to make plans, knowing they have a reliable source of funding. This year, the process and Community Investment Strategy have been adapted to meet the changing and evolving needs locally.
Community volunteers and professional staff ensure accountability through a thoughtful review process. Agencies submit applications and volunteers make funding recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors. They ensure that community resources are well invested, avoiding duplication and redundancy.
Thank you to all volunteers who participate in the review process. This process ensures accountability and supports strong service networks to help the most vulnerable and marginalized in our community.
United Way collaborates with frontline agencies, government funders and people with lived experience, identifying gaps, challenges and opportunities, facilitating coordination of services to avoid duplication.
The application forms for this process for 2021 funding will be available September, with a deadline for applications in October, review process October -November, and decisions shared with agencies by mid-December. More details, including criteria, reporting and dates, can be found in the Community Investment Strategy.
Recognizing the ever-changing needs of the community, United Way offers grants that provide support, enabling agencies to respond to new emerging needs and issues, often leveraging other sources of funding.
2. Community Investment Fund
These one-time grants are disbursed through a joint City of Kingston and United Way KFLA fund. These grants encourage innovative and collaborative responses to social needs in our community. There is an annual call for applications in the fall. City of Kingston and United Way provide grants of up to $25,000.
The application process will open October 2020, with a deadline in January 2021. Grants will be disbursed for the period April 2020-March 2021. Watch this site for more details including a date for an information session.
For more information, please feel free to contact mkubalak@unitedwaykfla.ca
3. Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy
United Way, as the community entity, is responsible for distributing federal funding for homelessness. A volunteer panel makes recommendations based on guidelines and priorities established and recommended through a Community Advisory Board.
The United Way, in collaboration with the Community Advisory Board, disburses project funding to organizations that meet an identified need and goal within one of the following 3 priorities:
Priority – Housing Loss Prevention: by supporting individuals and families at imminent risk of homelessness before a crisis occurs. This includes supporting those who are currently housed but at-risk of losing their housing, as well as, preventing individuals who are being discharged from public systems (for example, health, corrections, and child welfare) from becoming homeless.
Priority – Housing Services: to improve the self-sufficiency of homeless individuals and families, and those at imminent risk of homelessness, through individualized services that lead into more stable, safe, appropriate and affordable housing (i.e.) transitional, supportive, permanent housing, Indigenous housing that reflect cultural values, beliefs and practices.
Priority – Capital Investments to preserve or increase the capacity of facilities: used to address the needs of people who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, including those that support culturally appropriate programming for Indigenous individuals and families.
Guidelines & Application Forms:
At this time there is no additional call for proposals for 2020. The last call for proposals was in January 2020. Please visit this site for updated information. You can also contact khockey@unitedwaykfla.ca for more information.
- Call For Proposals – Application Information (PDF Document)
- Application Form (Word Document)
Capacity Building: United Way offers supports to agencies through workshops that provide professional development, leadership development and board governance.