United Way Greater Toronto is a 4-star charity. It is financially transparent and has reasonable overhead costs. It has an average results reporting grade. With its current funding reserves, the charity can cover one year and one month of annual program costs.  

Founded in 1956, United Way Greater Toronto (UWGT) aims to improve social conditions by gathering community volunteers and financial resources. In 2015, United Way Toronto merged with United Way York Region. In 2018 it merged with United Way of Peel Region. United Way Greater Toronto raises money to fight poverty in Toronto, York and Peel Regions. It primarily grants to local charities, but also conducts research to identify causes of poverty and inequality in the GTA. UWGT also has spending relating to community services and program support, which include the costs for management, oversight and distribution of its grants, as well as administration costs for government programs. 
 
Total grants in F2024 were $118.9m. These include $68.6m in community investments that UWGT divides as follows: $62.4m for Community Services Sector, $3.1m for Inclusive Employment, $2.0m for Inclusive Communities, and $1.1m for Strategic Initiatives. There is also $19.5m for donations designated by donors for specific charities but facilitated by United Way. Additionally, $16.3m in grants went to programs and organizations supported by restricted gifts, and $14.4m in grants were for government emergency funded programs such as the Community Services Recovery Fund. 

UWGT’s largest community investment grants in F2024 include: $2.9m to Family Service Toronto, $1.5m to Jewish Family and Child Service Program, $1.3m to The Neighbourhood Group, $1.3m to YWCA Toronto, and $1.2m to Canadian Red Cross – Toronto Region. 

UWGT reports reaching 1.8 million people in F2024 through over 650 programs delivered by 300 agencies. Through its programs and disbursements, the charity helped over 122,000 residents access nutritious and culturally relevant food. UWGT also helped 51,700 individuals gain the tools and resources to effectively manage mental health or addiction challenges.  

United Way Greater Toronto is a Major 100 charity with donations of $122.4m in F2024. The charity received $29.4m in government funding, representing 18% of total revenues. Government funding increased by 263% from F2023. 

Fundraising and administrative costs are 14% of total revenues (less investment income). This means that total overhead costs were 14% in F2024. For every dollar donated, 86 cents were available for programs. This falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

In F2024, UWGT spent $199.3m on grants, which is 69% of total revenues, less donor-designated grants. Its cost to research and manage these grants of $15.6m were 16% of grants on top of other overhead costs. The charity had an operating surplus of $7.2m, 4% of revenues, and capital expenditures of $3.9m.  

United Way Greater Toronto has $153.5m in reserve funds, of which $33.2m is donor endowed. Reserve funds are the charity's cash and investments. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity could cover one year and one month of annual program and grant spending.  

This charity report is an update that has been sent to United Way Greater Toronto for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on June 21, 2024 by Alessandra Castino.