United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington is a 4-star charity with reasonable overhead spending and an above average results-reporting grade. It is financially transparent and with its current reserves it can cover eight months of annual program costs. 

Founded in 1941, United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (UWKFLA) grants funds to local charities to improve lives and build a stronger community. UWKFLA reports that there are 17,895 people in Kingston living below the poverty line and 33% of homeless people are under 18 (2013 census data). UWKFLA’s three granting programs are: Helping Kids Be All They Can Be, Moving People from Poverty to Possibility, and Building Strong and Healthy Communities.

In F2022, UWKFLA spent $6.4m on programs and granting activities. In total, UWKFLA reports it funded 54 agencies and 115 programs to help 54,629 people.

Helping Kids Be All They Can Be accounted for 44% of program spending in F2022. The charity funds agencies that focus on youth learning, community involvement, and physical and emotional wellbeing. United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington funded 6 organizations and 12 programs to help 24,034 kids in F2022.

Moving People from Poverty to Possibility accounted for 37% of program spending in F2022. The program works to provide access to food, shelters and affordable housing. In F2022, UWKFLA supported 20,336 people through 10 agencies and 20 programs. 817 people at risk of eviction received supports to remain housed in F2022. 1,159 individuals accessed housing supports like shelters, counselling, and transitional housing. In F2022 160,571 meals were served through UWKFLA funded food programs.

Building Strong and Healthy Communities accounted for 19% of program spending in F2022. The goal of Building Strong and Healthy Communities is to help people with their physical and mental wellbeing and increase their personal safety. UWKFLA helped 10,259 people through funding 15 agencies and 27 programs in F2022. 

United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington has donations and special event revenues of $4.0m in F2022. The charity received $1.8m in government funding, representing 33% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 2% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 18% of donations and special events. This results in total overhead spending of 20%. For every dollar donated, 80 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

UWKFLA has $6.5m in reserve funds, of which $2.8m are donor endowed. Reserve funds are the charity's cash and investments. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity could cover eight months of annual program costs with its current reserves.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June 22, 2023 by Alessandra Castino.