United Way of Calgary and Area is a 5-star charity. It is financially transparent, has an above average results reporting grade. Its overhead costs are within Ci's reasonable range. With current reserves, the charity can cover just under two years of annual program costs.

Founded in 1940, United Way of Calgary and Area (United Way Calgary) raises money to support local charities in the Greater Calgary Area. Like other United Ways in Canada, it has the common mission of mobilizing communities for lasting social change. United Way Calgary’s primary activity is distributing money to other charities. It also runs its own initiatives and collaborates with charities to offer programs. United Way Calgary 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. 

The charity reports spending $45.6m in programs and grants in 2023. It also reports an additional $4.4m in donor-designated grants. Ci calculates the total program and grant spending, excluding donor-designated grants, to be $46.9m.

In 2023, United Way Calgary funded 134 partner agencies to support 140 programs and 16 collaborative projects. It led four signature initiatives. The charity helped a total of 223,242 individuals. United Way Calgary has four focus areas: Social Inclusion, Healthy Relationships, Socioeconomic Well-Being, and Mental Health. Partner agencies can receive funding that falls under one or more focus areas. United Way Calgary also dispersed funds for the Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF), and it supported the Social Impact Lab.

In 2023, United Way Calgary spent $11.5m (25% of program spending) on Social Inclusion. The charity granted to 78 agency partners to support 115 programs. It helped a total of 167,429 people.

The charity spent $9.6m (21% of program spending) on Healthy Relationships. United Way Calgary granted to 82 agency partners to support 84 programs. In 2023, it helped 84,784 people.

United Way Calgary spent $8.9m (20% of program spending) on Socioeconomic Well-being. In 2023, the charity granted to 57 agency partners to support 84 programs. It helped 112,428 people.

United Way Calgary spent $7.6m (17% of program spending) on Mental Health. In 2023, the charity granted to 45 agency partners to support 90 programs. It helped 92,771 people.

United Way Calgary also disbursed $5.3m (12% of program spending) through the CSRF. This is a government-funded program to support charities. In 2023 the charity granted to 67 partner agencies through this program. The charity also spent $2.7m (6% of spending) on the Social Impact Lab.

United Way Calgary received $52.7m in donations in F2023. Fundraising and administrative costs are 11% of total revenues (less investment income). This means that total overhead costs were 11% in F2023. For every dollar donated, 89 cents were available for programs. This falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

In F2023, United Way Calgary spent $46.9m in programs and grants, which is 73% of total revenues (excluding donor-designated grants). This includes the cost to research and manage these grants of $7.7m, which is 19% of grants on top of other overhead costs. The charity had an operating surplus of $10.5m which is 15% of total revenues.

United Way Calgary has $94.0m in reserve funds, of which $4.4m is donor endowed. Reserve funds are the charity’s cash and investments. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity could cover one year and 11 months of annual program and grants spending with its reserve funds.

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

Updated on June 19, 2024 by Alessandra Castino.