Founded in 1979, Centraide Outaouais (United Way of the Outaouais) aims to improve the lives of people in the Outaouais region by collecting and distributing money to local charities. Centraide Outaouais reports that 8,200 families are living under the poverty line in the Outaouais, an area that includes Gatineau and the surrounding communities. The charity’s four main granting programs are focused on: Improving Living Conditions, Promoting Youth Achievement, Building Strong Communities, and Breaking Social Isolation. These four programs granted to a total of 83 agencies in F2021. Due to covid-19 pandemic, the charity also distributed funds through its Emergency Fund program, which granted to 67 organizations in F2021. In F2021, Centraide Outaouais helped over 65,000 people.

Improving Living Conditions accounted for 34% of program spending in F2021. The program aims to help those in distress and in need of food and shelter. In F2021, 12,000 people received food assistance. The charity reports the program helped a total of 30,284 people through 55 organizations in F2021.

Promoting Youth Achievement represented 24% of program expenses in F2021. The program supports organizations that work to prevent school dropout, support youth leadership, and help youth and families in crisis. In F2021 the program granted to 39 organizations. A total of 30,381 people were helped, a 24% decrease from 37,532 in F2020.

Building Strong Communities accounted for 19% of program spending in F2021. The program aims to help disadvantaged neighbourhoods and support community organizations. Grants to 16 organizations helped 3,604 people, a 21% decrease from 4,365 in F2020.

Breaking Social Isolation represented 15% of program expenses in F2021. This program aims to end senior isolation, promote the inclusion of people with disabilities, support the integration of immigrants and refugees and help people in crisis. In F2021, 47 agencies were supported helping 36,586 people. This includes 3,200 newcomers who participated in workshops offered by grantees to promote inclusion. 

Although not explicitly stated, it can be assumed that the final 5% of program spending accounted for the charity's Social Development program. The program includes a snowsuit drive, which helped 1,692 kids in F2021, a school supply program, which provided supplies to 2,300 children of 995 families, and other services. 

Centraide Outaouais has donations of $3.1m in F2021. The charity received $1.3m in government funding, representing 29% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 10% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 31% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 41%. For every dollar donated, 59 cents go to the cause. This falls outside of Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

Centraide Outaouais has $2.3m in funding reserves. The charity could cover 71% or around 8 and a half months of annual program costs with current reserves.

In F2021, Centraide Outaouais granted $3.0 million to local agencies. The three largest grant recipients were Manne de l’Ile ($151k), Gite Ami ($125k), and Soupe Populaire de Hull ($105k) as reported on the charity’s T3010 filing with the CRA. The grants reported on the charity's T3010 and audited financial statements do not reconcile.

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

Updated on April 11th, 2022 by Brenleigh Jebb.