GUELPH – Every day in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin thousands of people reach out to the nonprofit sector for support.
This includes families struggling to put food on the table for the holidays and beyond; individuals suffering from mental illness with no where else to go for help; children who experience a traumatic event; and seniors with no family to visit.
Many of the programs and services people reach out to are funded by United Way.
“The truth is, without our community’s help, the services that so many have come to rely on may not be there when someone in crisis needs them,” said United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin executive director Glenna Banda.
“Our community will look much different without our charitable sector there to support it.”
Ontario Nonprofit Network’s recent State of the Sector survey indicates that demand for services from the nonprofit sector has risen by 29 per cent since 2020, and the financial situations of nonprofits across the province are on a downward spiral.
Organizations cannot meet the increasing costs or the increasing service demands, and this situation is projected to worsen.
Funding stability is at an all time low, with many programs and services that people rely on at risk of closing or shutting down.
United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin recently opened applications for funding to community organizations across our communities. Demand for funding was more than double what is projected to be available to distribute.
“The fact is that more and more organizations are looking for financial support than ever before, including for programs and services that wouldn’t typically be funded by United Way, because other sources are being pulled, governments are cutting back, and fundraising is difficult right now,” said Banda.
“We are hopeful that we can help as many of these programs as we can, but we need our community’s support to fill the gap.”
United Way campaign chair Ray Stultz said “Every year we start at zero and look to raise millions of dollars to maintain our support to our community partners and we aren’t there yet this year – we need help.
“We know its tough right now and we are always grateful to those who see the need and want to help, but the 2023 United Way Campaign is short of where it needs to be to support critical programs and services.”
Donations made during the month of December will be matched, dollar for dollar, by a generous matching fund of over $24,000 made possible by the United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin board of directors.
That means each donation will make double the impact.
“We know better is possible,” said Stulz.
“A donation to United Way makes it possible to support a number of critical issues – poverty, mental health, homelessness, isolation, and hunger.
“Each contribution and action will make a difference and fuel community change.”
Visit unitedwaygwd.com or call the United Way office at 519-821-0571 to donate.
Donations are also accepted at workplaces across Guelph and Wellington and Dufferin counties.
