Tuesday, May 26, 2009, Ottawa – This morning United Way Ottawa announced it is investing $26.8 million in the community through agencies, programs and initiatives for 2009*. This exceeds investments from 2008 by $1.3 million.

“This record investment is something to celebrate, but the numbers we are announcing today are only a fraction of the story,” said Michael Allen, President and CEO, United Way/Centraide. “If we were to look beyond the numbers, we would see the hard work of countless supporters who have come together to build a stronger community through United Way/Centraide. After 75 years in this community, we’re seeing a real shift in the ways people want to contribute through United Way/Centraide. We have become for many donors and volunteers the trusted vehicle for making a measurable difference in our community.”

United Way/Centraide unveiled plans to boost support to community agencies and programs, recognizing the challenges faced as a result of the economic downturn. A contingency fund of $100,000 has been established to help agencies navigate through unforeseen economic hardships. In addition, funding application requirements were streamlined to enable agencies to focus on delivering services in a stressed environment. Standard practice still requires agencies in receipt of 2008 funding to report on their outcomes and be evaluated by United Way/Centraide, but they were not required to complete a full reapplication for 2009 funding.

“One of our priorities at United Way/Centraide is and always will be to support the effective delivery of programs and services that make our community strong, healthy and safe for all,” said Catherine Lane, Chair, United Way/Centraide Community Services Cabinet. “Community agencies must now do more, and often with less, because of this economic constraint. Our volunteer impact councils, tasked with allocating United Way/Centraide resources, bring to this work their knowledge as well as their passion and desire for positive change in their community. The councils worked more closely together than ever before to empower community agencies to make a real difference today.”

In addition to the contingency fund, the impact councils realigned resources to strengthen support to agencies and programs serving seniors and new Canadians and immigrants, two populations that are growing significantly in our community. Twelve new programs are being funded in these focus areas – five programs targeting seniors and seven programs targeting immigrants.

“We’re responding to emerging issues that will affect the quality of life in this city in the years to come,” said Eileen Dooley, Vice-President of Community Services, United Way/Centraide. “Frontline services provide support for immediate needs, and that support is indispensable.

We need to be steps ahead though, looking to the future and anticipating the needs of our community. We engage the help of community leaders and experts to develop initiatives that will achieve measurable change, such as Hire Immigrants Ottawa, the Affordable Supportive Housing Framework for Seniors and the Leadership Table on Homelessness.”

United Way/Centraide’s work is focused on six impact areas: children and youth; seniors; people with disabilities; individuals and families in need and crisis; new Canadians and immigrants; and agency, neighbourhood and community capacity building. Funding is provided to frontline programs and services and community-wide initiatives that demonstrate the potential to deliver real change in people’s lives — and to the community as a whole.

Investment highlights:

United Way/Centraide is investing $17 million in programs, services and initiatives in the six impact areas:

• 4.8 million invested in promoting healthy development for Children and Youth;
• $2.1 million invested in reducing barriers and increasing engagement for New Canadians and Immigrants;
• $1.7 million invested in reducing isolation and enhancing the quality of life of Seniors;
• $2.3 million invested in reducing barriers and increasing participation for People with Disabilities;
• $4.2 million invested in strengthening Individuals and Families in times of need and crisis; and
• $1.9 million invested in strengthening Agency, Neighbourhood and Community Capacity.
• $9.8 million in donor-directed investments and other United Way/Centraides
  
*Our total community investment on revenues of $31.09 million, after fundraising and administration costs of 14.8% and after pledge loss (unfulfilled pledges). A detailed breakdown of revenues and expenses for this year will appear in United Way/Centraide’s 2009 Annual Report.

For more information about this year’s investment plans, visit United Way Ottawa's 2009 Online Community Investment Directory at www.unitedwayottawa.ca.

About United Way Ottawa
United Way Ottawa’s mission is to bring people and resources together to build a strong, healthy, safe, community for all. By bringing people together from all parts of our community to identify, develop and provide solutions to community needs, we promise that the donations we receive go where they are needed most. In 2009, United Way Ottawa made a record community investment to support nearly 200 projects, programs and partnerships in more than 100 community organizations.

For more information, please contact:
Kate Headley, United Way Ottawa
Phone: 613-683-3823 or Cell: 613-294-8128
E-mail: kheadley@unitedwayottawa.ca