The Community Fund

United Way’s Community Fund supports the social fabric that ties our city together

When you donate to United Way, your money goes into what we call the Community Fund—a pool of donations that draws on the combined strength of donors like you to strengthen individuals, families and communities by supporting services that improve peoples' lives. Your donation supports a network of 200 agencies providing vital social services to hundreds of thousands of people throughout the city—single parents, abused women, young children and teenagers, the elderly, the physically challenged, the homeless, and the many new immigrants who need help to realize their dreams of a better life in Canada.

United Way is the only major funding organization that delivers significant core operating support to social service agencies. This base support of funding provides stability and allows agencies the flexibility to develop and respond to emerging needs of the communities they serve.

In addition to core funding, United Way offers time-limited special grant initiatives such as Focus on Youth, Newcomer Grants, Community Development Planning Grants, Success by Six, Winter Relief Fund and the Toronto Enterprise Fund.

Over 50 years of community investment expertise

Annual investment decisions are determined by United Way’s research and managed through an intensive volunteer review process. Each year, volunteer panels of citizens from across the city review and make funding recommendations to United Way’s Board of Trustees. These volunteers play an important role in ensuring donor dollars are spent according to current and emerging community service needs as efficiently and effectively as possible.

With your involvement, we can continue to invest in a foundation of fundamental support, creating opportunities for people and neighbourhoods across Toronto.