GUELPH – United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin has launched a new Community Impact Strategy, in order to better respond to the community’s needs as we look to recover from the pandemic, address inequities and make funding more accessible.
“The pandemic gave us an opportunity to really look at the issues our community was facing before the crisis even began,” said Glenna Banda, executive director at United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin.
“Homelessness, food insecurity, declining mental health, addictions, isolation, elder care – these were all issues our community faced a year and a half ago – the pandemic just shone a light on the impact and urgency in our community. We cannot simply go back to normal.”
The new Community Impact strategy will focus on solutions and supports to address current, deepened community challenges and build trust and collaboration with community partners.
Developed in consultation with volunteers, donors and community partners, it is more flexible in the way that funding is provided and also allows for more opportunities during the year to access funding in a way that better meets the needs of organizations.
Funding opportunities are now open to all registered charitable organizations or other qualified donees through United Way’s website.
Funding is available for programs and services working to build resilience in children and youth and support emotional wellbeing; increase belonging, inclusion, and connection to supports in community; and supporting housing, food insecurity and financial security.
There will also be unique streams to support the work of equity and rights seeking groups, as well as programs operating in Wellington and Dufferin County.
United Way will also no longer impose a Supplemental Fundraising Policy on organizations receiving United Way funding, which means there will be no limits on the type of fundraising or the time of year that fundraising can take place.
More information and the link to apply for funding is available at https://unitedwayguelph.com/apply-for-funding/.
Letters of Intent will be accepted until Sept. 24, after which a short list of organizations will be asked to submit a full application.
