Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about United Way of Peel Region. If you cannot find a satisfactory answer, please contact us directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

1. How does United Way support our community?
2. What are United Way’s funding priorities?
3. What is United Way of Peel Region’s Community Fund?
4. Do funds raised by United Way of Peel Region stay in the community?
5. How many agencies does United Way support through the Community Fund?
6. Doesn’t United Way just help people living in poverty?
7. What makes an organization eligible for United Way funding?
   
8. What are United Way’s fundraising costs?
   
9. How are United Way and its agencies accountable to donors?
   
10. I don’t work in Peel Region. Why should I contribute?
    
11. Why should I give to United Way when I never use any of the programs you support?
    
12. Can I direct my gift to a specific United Way priority area within the Community Fund?
    
13. Can I direct my gift to another United Way or registered charity?
    
14. Why do you charge a 14% administration fee on gifts that are directed to other charities?
    
15. What are United Way’s mission, vision and values?

1. How does United Way support our community?
United Way brings people together to improve lives, strengthen neighbourhoods and make our community better for everyone. United Way provides direct funding to a network of 92 programs and services in Peel as well as grants that support neighbourhood development projects and social purpose enterprises. In addition, United Way develops training opportunities to strengthen social service agencies, creates and nurtures community partnerships to tackle complex social issues, and advocates for changes in public policy to eliminate inequity and expand opportunities so individuals can fulfill their potential. United Way’s investments in our community not only meet immediate human care needs, but also tackle their underlying causes.

2. What are United Way’s funding priorities?
Funds raised in the 2011 campaign will be invested in the following social priorities identified by our community:

• Resilient People

  • Supporting seniors to be healthy and live independently

  • Supporting individuals with disabilities

  • Assisting people who are vulnerable to abuse, especially women and children

  • Supporting people affected by mental health issues

• Strong Families

  • Supporting newcomers and immigrants to fully participate in community life

  • Assisting families and children to have a high quality of life

  • Empowering children and youth to reach their full potential

• Vibrant Neighbourhoods and Communities

  • Reducing poverty, eliminating hunger, and ensuring people have access to affordable housing

  • Strengthening neighbourhood development efforts so that people can become involved and engaged in their community

3. What is United Way of Peel Region’s Community Fund?
The Community Fund is made up of all donations to United Way of Peel Region that are not directed by donors to other United Ways or registered charities. The Community Fund is strategically invested for maximum impact in programs, services and initiatives that work together to address social issues in Peel.

4. Do funds raised by United Way of Peel Region stay in the community?
Your investment goes far, but not far away! Unless directed by the donor to another United Way or registered charity, all donations stay right here in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga to help address key social issues that have been identified by our community.

5. How many agencies does United Way support through the Community Fund?
United Way provides ongoing funding to a network of 56 organizations delivering 99 prevention-based programs and initiatives. In addition, United Way is providing short-term funding to support the operation and development of 6 social purpose enterprises and 11 neighbourhood development projects. United Way is also supporting 10 youth-led projects through the Youth in Action grants program initiated by our Young Leaders Council. As well, United Way provides one-time grants to agencies through the Strengthening Organizational Effectiveness Fund (offered in partnership with the Region of Peel).

6. Doesn’t United Way just help people living in poverty?
No! While it’s true that poverty reduction is a key priority for United Way, we support people from all walks of life and in many different circumstances. Here are just a few examples of the services, programs and initiatives we fund:

• Support for families coping with mental illness
• Assistance for women fleeing abusive home situations
• Meals for isolated seniors and disabled persons
• Parent education workshops
• Mobility training for people who have lost their vision
• In-home practical support for people living with a life-threatening illness
• Programs to build basic literacy and numeracy skills
• Counselling programs for youth at risk
• Support programs for children

7. What makes an organization eligible for United Way funding?
To be eligible to apply for United Way funding, an organization must meet all of the following criteria:

• be a registered charity
• been in continuous operation for at least two years
• provide human care services and programs to Peel residents
• be governed by a volunteer board of Directors
• use volunteers
• provide audited financial statements
• comply with the Ontario Human Rights Code
• must carry a minimum of $2-million in liability insurance
• have knowledge of relevant issues and needs in Peel
• abide by United Way’s policies

8. What are United Way’s fundraising costs?
Our total fundraising costs, which include a portion of our operating costs, are just 16.7 per cent of our total revenue. This makes our United Way a North American leader in cost-efficient fundraising. United Way keeps costs low with the support of 2,100 volunteers and by leveraging donated services and supplies.

In 2010/11 we transitioned to a new fiscal year. This resulted in 15 months of expenses being accrued instead of our normal 12 month cycle.

9. How are United Way and its agencies accountable to donors?
United Way of Peel Region’s operating budget is audited by an independent accounting firm and is carefully scrutinized by the members of the United Way Finance and Audit Committee and Board of Directors. Our complete audited financial statements are available on our website: www.unitedwaypeel.org. Funded agencies must report to us annually on the impact and results of their programs and services. As well, all registered charities are accountable to the Canada Revenue Agency. Please be aware however that only agencies funded by United Way undergo our rigorous review process.

10. I don’t work in Peel Region. Why should I contribute?
Even if you don’t work in Peel Region, it’s still the place you come home to. We want to help ensure that our community is strong, healthy and that everyone has access to the human care services and programs they need, when they need them. Contributions to the Community Fund provide the resources needed to not only support a vital network of services, but also to help build strong community agencies, lead and support partnerships to tackle social issues, and advocate on our community’s behalf.

11. Why should I give to United Way when I never use any of the programs you support?
United Way helps to build strong and healthy communities for everyone, including your own family, friends, and neighbours. Even though Peel is perceived as an affluent community, there are thousands of vulnerable individuals and families who need support. United Way responds to this need through its Community Fund, which supports programs throughout Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga. These programs provide a network of services that strengthen our entire community. In addition, initiatives supported by the Community Fund help build strong agencies, develop partnerships to tackle complex social issues together, and advocate on our community’s behalf.

12. Can I direct my gift to a specific United Way priority area within the Community Fund?
Yes. You can choose to direct your donation to helping people be resilient, building strong families or creating more vibrant communities. A minimum gift of $25 per selection is required.

13. Can I direct my gift to another United Way or registered charity?
While our priority is to increase donations to United Way’s Community Fund so we can have maximum local impact, we will honour your request to direct all or part of your donation to another United Way or registered charity. Indicate on the back of the top copy of your pledge form the charity’s name, address, charitable registration number and the amount you are giving. Please consider splitting your gift between the Community Fund and your designated charity. This will help enable United Way to continue to invest in programs, services and initiatives that work together to address social issues.

14. Why do you charge a 14% administration fee on gifts that are directed to other charities?
Even though United Way does not benefit from donations that are directed to other charities, it still takes our resources to solicit and process those donations, regardless of the size of the gift. The 14 per cent fee helps cover our overall fundraising costs. In 2010, donors directed over $2-million to other registered charities.

15. What are United Way’s mission, vision and values?
Our mission is to engage with our community, through partnerships, to ensure people are cared for, connected and included. Our vision is to champion and inspire sustainable change that strengthens community and improves lives. Our values are inclusion, accountability, integrity, collaboration, voluntarism and vision.