The United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin has faced challenges due to a decline in fundraising during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, they were able to distribute $1.5 million to 51 programs in the first round of 2024, one of the lowest amounts they have distributed. The recent fundraising campaign generated $2.54 million in donations, reflecting a difficult year for fundraising in 2023 as people focused on basic expenses like food and rent. The decrease in donations has led to an increase in the use of services provided by community agencies like food banks and shelters, prompting the United Way to carefully consider which areas are in critical need of funding.
In response to the decrease in donations and the increased demand for services, the United Way has taken a community-centered and critical approach to assessing where the funding is most urgently needed. They engage with individuals with lived experience and those working on the front lines to determine the most effective use of the funds. One of the programs receiving funding this year is the Sanguen Health Centre, which used the money to keep their community van open and provide nursing care, social support, peer support, and harm reduction to individuals in Guelph and Wellington County. Other new programs that received funding in this round include Art Not Shame, Ball 4 All, the Arab Women’s Society of Guelph, and the Orangeville Food Bank.
Executive director Glenna Banda emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the needs in the community and the opportunities to address them in order to garner more donations and put the money to work. She expressed hope that by continuing to work with community partners, the United Way will be able to help more organizations with fewer resources. Banda highlighted the need for collective action to respond to urgent needs in different ways, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and creative solutions in addressing the challenges facing the organization and the community.
Overall, the United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin has faced fundraising challenges in light of the pandemic, leading to a decrease in donations and increased demand for services from community agencies. Despite this, they have continued to distribute funding to programs in critical need, taking a community-centered and critical approach to determine the most effective use of the funds. By working with community partners and raising awareness about the needs in the community, the United Way aims to continue supporting organizations and individuals in need, even with fewer resources. Collaborative efforts and creative solutions are seen as key to addressing the ongoing challenges and ensuring the organization can continue to provide vital support to the community.
