Challenge Grants encourage donors to give more this year to United Way
Generous donors challenge community members to give at Leadership and Friend levels through matching grants
Kingston, ON (September 11, 2025) – With the launch of the 2025 campaign last week, United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington is excited to announce three Challenge Grants that will help achieve this year’s campaign goal and help donors increase their impact locally.
The Britton Smith Foundation will once again generously provide a Leadership Challenge Grant that encourages leadership gifts. A special Women United Challenge Grant has also been renewed and will be offered again this year thanks to a generous donation from Judith Gould, encouraging female donors to increase the impact of their gift.
With these grants, donors who increase their donations or make a new donation at a Leaders of the Way level ($1,200 or more annually) will see their donation matched up to a maximum amount. Donors who are already Leaders of the Way and add 10% or more to their gift will also see their increase matched. With the addition of the Women United grant, women donors will see their donation matched by both grants, tripling the impact of their gift. In 2024, 710 Leaders of the Way (donors who give $1,200 or more annually) donated nearly $2.4 million with leadership giving growing 13% over the past 5 years.
“On behalf of The Britton Smith Foundation I am happy to announce that we are once again partnering with United Way KFL&A during the upcoming campaign by offering this year’s Challenge Grant,” said Jessica Bayne Hogan on behalf of the foundation. “We know many within our community are struggling and hopefully this challenge grant encourages those of you who can, to give and support your friends, neighbours, colleagues and fellow community members. Brit always believed in helping others whenever there was a need, a belief he held strongly and instilled in his family members. He believed in the impact of your donations within our community. You have shown your generous nature, compassion and commitment to this community every year the Challenge Grant has been offered and I have the utmost confidence that we will once again rise to the occasion.”
Women United is made up of women who donate at the Leadership level. The Women United Challenge Grant has helped increase donations by women Leaders significantly in recent years, with 502 women giving (independently or with a partner) over $1.75 million in 2024. This year, Judith Gould wanted to continue to offer women in the community a chance to increase the impact of their gift.
“I’m happy to be in a position to make a difference to people who really need it. By offering this Women United Challenge Grant, I hope other like-minded individuals in the community will step up and show their support if they can,” said Gould. “Women United is such an inspiring group, working to understand the issues many are facing and working towards making our community a better place for all. I hope you will join me in those efforts and make a difference locally this year.”
New this year, donors will also have an opportunity to increase the impact of their donation thanks to Alliance Security and Communications generously providing a Friends of United Way Challenge Grant to encourage community members to give at the Friend level (donations of $500-$1,199). By making a donation at this level for the first time, donations will be matched by 50% up to a maximum amount.
“Alliance Security and Communications is proud to sponsor the Friend Challenge Grant this year. Giving back to our community and supporting United Way is a core part of who we are,” said Brad French, President, Alliance Security and Communications. “This grant is an opportunity for all of us to come together and maximize our impact. We encourage everyone to give what they can and take advantage of these matching funds—together, we can make an even greater difference in the lives of people right here in our community.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the Britton Smith Foundation, Judith Gould and Alliance Security and Communications for their leadership and support of this year’s campaign. These grants really help increase the impact of every donation at these levels,” said Leanne O’Mara, 2025 United Way KFL&A Campaign Chair. “We are asking community members who are able to show their support by giving or continuing to give if they can. Every donation makes a difference right here in KFL&A.”
The campaign wraps up November 27, 2025. For more information and updates, please visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca.
About United Way KFL&A
United Way Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington works closely with community partners to ensure that people have the opportunity to reach their full potential and live with hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging. This vision is realized by building on deep-rooted local community knowledge and relationships to empower people to make an impact.
The United Way raises funds for programs that support immediate needs while also tackling complex social issues collaboratively. Led by volunteers, driven by a small professional staff team, the United Way KFL&A is a unifying force, encouraging people to get involved to support our most vulnerable.
Stay up to date by following their social media channels – Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn or visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca
Media Contact:
Mandy Pasch, Director, Marketing and Communications
United Way KFL&A
613-876-3088, marketing@unitedwaykfla.ca
