Founded in 1925, United Way Halifax (UWH) raises funds to address poverty in the Halifax region. UWH focuses on poverty solutions, affordable housing, and homelessness. The charity reports that over 58,000 people in Halifax live in poverty and that 19,565 households are living in extreme poverty. The charity also reports that 40,000 households are spending more than 30% of household income on housing.

In F2018, UWH invested $4.0 million into the community. This included $1.5 million granted to community partners, $1.4 million in donor-designated grants, and $1.0m for its own United Way Halifax impact programs. UWH’s granting falls into three categories: poverty to prosperity, increasing community connectedness, and creating affordable housing. In total, the charity funds 68 community programs and several partnerships run by 46 local charities.

UWH partners with 211 Nova Scotia, a 24/7 support system dedicated to connecting people with services and programs offered by local community groups, non-profits, and the government.  In F2018, 35,000 Nova Scotia residents made calls to 211 and were connected to a network of over 4,300 community resources.

UWH has a goal of changing 50,000 lives in the next 5 years. To accomplish this goal it plans to: help 25,000 people gain a stronger sense of belonging in the community, improve health and food security for 5,000 people, enable 15,000 people to gain education and skills needed to get out of poverty, and reduce homelessness for 5,000 individuals.

United Way Halifax is a large charity with donations of $5.4m in F2018. Reporting on a combined basis, fundraising and administrative costs are 29% of total donations. For every dollar donated, 71 cents go to its programs. This is within what Charity Intelligence considers a reasonable range. In F2018, local Halifax charities received 28% of total revenues (not including donor-designated grants.

United Way Halifax holds $3m in funding reserves. Funding reserves can cover program costs for 1.2 years.

Update: Charity Intelligence had previously reported fundraising and administrative costs were 53% of donations. This was brought to our attention November 27, 2019. We have now reported fundraising and administrative costs on a combined basis, adding $981k previously reported as general and admin expenses to UWH community impact program. This revision did not affect United Way Halifax's overall star rating.

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

Updated on July 11, 2019 by Stefan Tetzlaff. Revised with corrections on November 27, 2019 by Kate Bahen.