United Way of Canada
Encyclopedia
United Way of Canada is the national organization for the 117 autonomous, volunteer-based United Ways across Canada
.
United Way campaigns raise money for local groups that address community issues and problems, and the national organization provides leadership, services and coordination to the members. In Canada, United Ways and Centraides are led and supported by more than 200,000 volunteers all dedicated to improving the lives of individuals in their community . Volunteers sit on United Way-Centraide boards, work on local fundraising campaigns, and help out in other capacities. Each United Way-Centraide is responsible to its own community, raising the resources and distributing it back to their community.
Each year, United Ways and Centraides raise upwards of $480 million, the majority of which is reinvested in local communities to support programs and services.
United Way-Centraide is primarily focused on poverty
, homelessness
, and families or individuals in crisis or need. The local organizations work with many partners, such as government or other community organizations to address these issues.
, Ontario
. As the national organization, United Way of Canada-Centraide represents local United Ways and Centraides within Canada's voluntary sector
, internationally and provides services such as leadership training and education opportunities. The national organization convenes local United Ways-Centraides on a yearly basis at its annual conference, for the purposes of professional development training, the sharing of best practices and learning from leading thinkers.
and Toronto
started community collectives inspired by similar activities in the United States
. In particular, various clergy in Denver were trying to raise money individually to support their community, but started working together in 1887 when they realized that they could have a greater impact if they worked together to raise and distribute funds. This approach began to be adopted in Canada during the turmoil of the First World War
period.
Other collectives were initiated in other parts of the country over time, under a variety of names (including Red Feather (or Plume Rouge in French), Community Chest, Fédération des oeuvres de charité and the United Appeal). It was not until the 1970s that these organizations took the name of United Way and Centraide (in 1973 and 1975 respectively).
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
United Way campaigns raise money for local groups that address community issues and problems, and the national organization provides leadership, services and coordination to the members. In Canada, United Ways and Centraides are led and supported by more than 200,000 volunteers all dedicated to improving the lives of individuals in their community . Volunteers sit on United Way-Centraide boards, work on local fundraising campaigns, and help out in other capacities. Each United Way-Centraide is responsible to its own community, raising the resources and distributing it back to their community.
Each year, United Ways and Centraides raise upwards of $480 million, the majority of which is reinvested in local communities to support programs and services.
United Way-Centraide is primarily focused on poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
, homelessness
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
, and families or individuals in crisis or need. The local organizations work with many partners, such as government or other community organizations to address these issues.
Community Impact Mission
The Mission of United Way of Canada is: "To improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action." . Adopted in 2003, this mission represents a shift in the organization's focus of umbrella fundraising to community impact.. United Way of Canada regards community impact as the achievement of positive long-term changes to the quality of life in local communities which is brought about by addressing the root causes of social problems, as well as their symptoms. .The National Office
The National Office, which was founded in 1939, is located in OttawaOttawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. As the national organization, United Way of Canada-Centraide represents local United Ways and Centraides within Canada's voluntary sector
Voluntary sector
The voluntary sector or community sector is the sphere of social activity undertaken by organizations that are for non-profit and non-governmental. This sector is also called the third sector, in reference to the public sector and the private sector...
, internationally and provides services such as leadership training and education opportunities. The national organization convenes local United Ways-Centraides on a yearly basis at its annual conference, for the purposes of professional development training, the sharing of best practices and learning from leading thinkers.
History
The United Way - Centraide movement began in 1917, when charities in MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
started community collectives inspired by similar activities in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In particular, various clergy in Denver were trying to raise money individually to support their community, but started working together in 1887 when they realized that they could have a greater impact if they worked together to raise and distribute funds. This approach began to be adopted in Canada during the turmoil of the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
period.
Other collectives were initiated in other parts of the country over time, under a variety of names (including Red Feather (or Plume Rouge in French), Community Chest, Fédération des oeuvres de charité and the United Appeal). It was not until the 1970s that these organizations took the name of United Way and Centraide (in 1973 and 1975 respectively).