United Way East Ontario is a 5-star charity. It has above average disclosure with an A results reporting grade. It holds reserves within Ci’s reasonable range. For every dollar donated to United Way East Ontario, 73 cents are available to go to the cause. 

Founded in 1933, United Way Ottawa merged with three smaller United Ways: United Ways of Prescott-Russell, Lanark County, and Renfrew County, in 2017. It formally changed its name to United Way East Ontario (UWEO) in 2019. The charity aims to bring people together to build strong, healthy, and safe communities. UWEO funds local agency partners across three focus areas: Healthy People, All That Kids Can Be, and Poverty to Possibility. The charity’s F2026 annual report reviews the results of its F2025 funding.

The charity reports that 26% of people in Ontario rate their mental health as poor or fair, and that 1 in 5 Grade 7-12 students in Ottawa and rural East Ontario use non-medical opioids. Homelessness remains acute in the region: 2,952 people in Ottawa were experiencing homelessness as of the city's 2024 point-in-time count. Seniors face their own strain, with 11% of those living alone in Ontario falling under the poverty line, compared to 3% of seniors living in a family setting.

Healthy People, Strong Communities accounted for 42% of program and grant costs in F2025. This funding supports crisis lines, senior day programs, and community-led local initiatives for vulnerable groups. In F2025, UWEO funded 37 collaborations and initiatives, 49 programs, and 39 community agencies, reaching 67,947 people, with 1,451 volunteers contributing 88,665 hours.

All That Kids Can Be accounted for 39% of program and grant costs in F2025. This funding supports early childhood education, young parent support, after-school programs, mental health and substance use counselling, and homelessness services for youth. In F2025, UWEO funded 13 collaborations and initiatives, 35 programs, and 34 community agencies, reaching 16,679 people, with 1,772 volunteers contributing 118,227 hours.

From Poverty to Possibility accounted for 19% of program and grant costs in F2025. This funding supports employment programs that help people build financial stability by matching their skills and experience to jobs. In F2025, UWEO funded 21 collaborations and initiatives, 15 programs, and 11 community agencies, reaching 5,036 people, with 160 volunteers contributing 6,480 hours.

In F2026, UWEO earned $28.3m in revenue of which $25.2m (89%) came from donations.

Administrative costs are 8% of revenues (less investment income). Fundraising costs are 20% of donations. Total overhead is 27%. For every dollar donated to United Way East Ontario, 73 cents are available for programs. This is within Ci's reasonable range.

In F2026, UWEO spent $3.7m on its programs. It also distributed $15.2m in grants, of which $10.9m (71%) were donor designated. The charity recorded a $2.4m surplus and spent $1.2m on capital projects.

UWEO has $14.9m in net reserves. Of this, $455k is donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, UWEO could cover 180% or roughly one year and 10 months of annual program costs.

This charity update has been sent to United Way of East Ontario for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. Updated by Nick Reszetnik on July 17, 2026.