The United Way – Centraide Movement

The Movement is made up of 120 volunteer-based United Ways – Centraides (UWs-Cs) located in ten provinces and two territories and a national organization, United Way of Canada - Centraide Canada. Its mission is “to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action”. 

Next to governments, the UW-C Movement is the largest funder of the voluntary sector and social services in Canada.  Each year, UWs-Cs raise upwards of $480 million, the vast majority of which is reinvested in local communities to support programs and services directed at improving the social conditions of Canadians. 

The Movement employs approximately 900 staff and engages tens of thousands of volunteers in various capacities. 

United Ways – Centraides

Each of Canada’s 120 United Ways – Centraides is an autonomous organization operated by a voluntary Board of Directors chosen from the community it serves. They are built upon a long history of bringing together diverse partners at the local level to initiate action on community issues and problems.  While approaches and practices may differ across the country, in general, United Ways - Centraides strengthen communities by:

q     convening human and social service agencies at the community and neighbourhood level with governments, businesses and labour and facilitating discussions around assets, needs and priorities;

q    pooling and leveraging resources by building partnerships and collaborations;

q     providing training, learning and professional development opportunities for voluntary sector organizations in leadership and governance; and,

q    delivering national programs such as 211 Ò, Day of CaringÒ ,early years development, etc.

Increasingly, United Ways - Centraides are adopting a more strategic approach to community investment seeking to achieve cumulative, measurable, lasting impact in their communities.   Examples of this include Centraide Quebec’s fight against poverty, United Way of Greater Toronto’s efforts to strengthen neighbourhoods in partnership with the City of Toronto and United Way of Calgary and Area’s Children’s Initiative, to name but a few.

United Way of Canada - Centraide Canada

United Way of Canada - Centraide Canada (UWC-CC) is the national organization for the 120 United Ways – Centraides across Canada.  It acts as a voice for its members within the Canadian voluntary sector and internationally and provides leadership, programs and services to its members. The national organization also maintains a close relationship with United Way of America, United Way International (UWI) and through UWI, with other United Way organizations around the world.