Frequently Asked Questions
About United Way
The United Way logo is one of the most widely recognized brands globally. It is called the helping hand symbol and is used by United Ways around the world.
The rainbow overhead, emerging from the hand to shelter the figure, represents hope for a better tomorrow.
The center image, based on the universal symbol of humanity, is cradled by the helping hand. It indicated that United Way cares about people, everywhere.
The bottom is a helping hand symbolizing United Way’s support of services and programs that in turn support the people in local communities. The United Way helping hand symbol – a symbol of hope, of service and of help to people in our communities.
Unfortunately, there are many individuals in our communities who need help. Consider an abused woman or child, an elderly person, or a person with a disability or employment barrier. For many of these individuals a United Way Supported Partner provides the assistance they need to maintain their well-being and dignity.
Our vision is a better life for everyone. An altruistic and philanthropic attitude helps achieve that vision. Helping others is at the heart of the United Way. Many individuals face challenges and barriers beyond their control. United Way asks those who are able to donate and help ensure programs are available for those that need them.
Moreover, economic stability and growth are closely linked to community well-being. Investing in United Way helps build the social structure for a healthy community. Everyone benefits when people have the support they need.
If you do not receive support from a UWPH Supported Partner, it is likely that you know someone — a family member, friend, neighbour, or co-worker — who does, or perhaps you have used services in the past. Many experience different seasons of life; investing in United Way ensures social services will be available for everyone when they need them.
United Way Centraide is a federated network of local United Way offices, each registered as its own non-profit organization and governed by an independent volunteer-led local Board of Directors. Each United Way works locally to raise funds and invest in improving lives in its community. Some nationwide accounts are centrally coordinated by larger United Way offices to ensure national corporate expectations are met.
United Way Centraide Canada is the national office and has a distinct role in providing leadership, guidance and support to local United Ways across the country. Together, local United Ways and United Way Centraide Canada form the United Way Movement.
A network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 45 countries and territories with a brand value estimated at $14.3 billion. Compensation for all United Way employees is set by a local board of trustees.
Paid employees and volunteer board members have a fiduciary and moral responsibility to businesses and individuals in the community who donate to a local United Way Centraide. Membership in United Way Centraide Canada is governed by a membership agreement which gives individual United Way Centraides the right to use the United Way Centraide name and logo and requires that they abide by certain standards of excellence related to human resources, financial resources, financial support, communications and management.
Each United Way Centraide pays membership dues determined by a formula based on the amount raised by each United Way Centraide in its annual campaign. The formula is agreed upon annually by all United Way Centraides during the Annual General Meeting. Each member United Way Centraide has one vote when items are brought forward for ratification at the Annual General Meeting. The current rate is less than 1% and the combined dollars provide affordable professional development, benchmarking and standard setting, ensuring our 100% local efforts are the best they can be.
About Fundraising, Administration Costs, and Financial Accountability
About 16%. That means that 84% of funds raised are invested in our supported partners and other community based work we do.
Note: Costs of fundraising can fluctuate annually by a small margin due to variance in expenses and donations.
United Way is proud of its efforts to keep costs low through sponsorship and volunteers. United Way’s fundraising costs are consistently and substantially below the national average.
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As a registered Canadian charity, United Way is obliged to file a T3010 report with the CRA annually, detailing all of its fundraising, administration, executive compensation and other costs. The latest CRA T3010 data can be found on the CRA website. This form includes salaries for several community programs funded through UWPH.
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Every dollar donated and every dollar spent is accounted for in our independently audited financial statements and our annual report. Please visit our Financials page to view these documents.
- To learn more about UWPH's cost of fundraising, please contact our office at 519-271-7730 or info@perthhuron.unitedway.ca.
Management, staff and volunteer vigilance to maximize community impact with donated dollars.
- Our volunteer Board of Directors conducts regular, in-depth reviews of United Way’s financial and community investment performance.
- United Way Perth-Huron, as a part of United Way Canada Centraide, follows internal Transparency, Accountability and Financial Reporting (TAFR) guidelines which are intended to be defendable, acceptable, consistent, transparent and simple in providing standardized reporting by United Ways across Canada.
- The accounting firm Famme & Co. Professional Corporation ensures that our financial statements are accurate and we operate in a fiscally responsible manner.
- United Way Perth-Huron’s annual T3010 filing with the Canada Revenue Agency, including all required financial and other disclosures, can be found on the CRA website.
Executive salaries at United Ways and Centraides across Canada are established through a comparison of executive compensation at other comparable organizations and charities, an assessment of roles and responsibilities and a commitment to spending dollars wisely with the oversight of the organization’s Board of Directors.
United Ways and Centraides strive to ensure funds raised are used as efficiently and effectively as possible. We rely on the generous contributions of community members and engage thousands of volunteers every year to keep costs as low as possible.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requires charities to provide the salary ranges of their highest-paid employees. The salary ranges, without the names and actual salaries, are published on the CRA website:
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Click on “Charities and Giving” in the left sidebar
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Click on “List of Charities and Other Qualified Donees”
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Click on “Charities”
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Type "United Way" in the Charity Name field and click “Search”
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Click on the name of any United Way of your choice
Under “Compensation” you will see a breakdown of the compensation for all positions.
Note that the number of employees and compensation can fluctuate greatly in years when UWPH adopts select community initiatives. For example, in recent years we incubated a food security program that had more than 10 staff members. It is now an independent charity but showed in our financial statements until year-end 2017. If you have any questions about compensation levels, please contact our offices at 519-271-7730 or info@perthhuron.unitedway.ca.
About Our Annual Campaign
Without the campaign, UWPH’s Supported Partners would have to raise funds on their own, taking them away from the frontline work where they are needed most. United Way offers a proven, effective and economical method of raising funds. One donation can help multiple partners provide services to those who need it most. The UWPH campaign is the best way to leverage dollars so they affect the maximum amount of impact in the community.
Donor dollars are invested 100% in the Perth-Huron geographic region. The only exception is if a donor indicates they prefer their gift go to another United Way — in which case the dollars are designated out. Unless you designate otherwise, your donation will be used in the community you live or work in.
People who live in Perth or Huron but work outside the geographic region can request their donation be designated to United Way Perth-Huron. Either check the box on our pledge form to select a designation or write a designation request. United Ways complete designations to one another on a regular basis.
United Way invests and enables local social research that sheds light on root causes and unique local issues and challenges. UWPH collects and publishes data that our partners can use to advocate for their causes and provide a case for support to other funding sources. An increased understanding of local issues can facilitate a more holistic and comprehensive approach to solving complex societal issues and help in the decision making process. Research will inform responsible and effective planning.
Through active research and planning, United Way monitors evolving social issues and recognizes that new programs are often part of solutions. Thus, United Way gives new agencies and programs admin and governance support during initial stages to ensure they come to fruition, facilitating innovation and new ideas (e.g. incubation of the Local Community Food Centre).
With United Way, donations and support go further than any other charitable investment a community member can make as an individual.
- United Way is a proven, effective and economical method of raising funds. One campaign that benefits almost 50 social services enables a great amount of efficiency.
- United Way has the capacity to process a large amount of donations using a sophisticated database, and maintains donor privacy by using an independent and secure server. United Way completes the administration of thousands of donations, saving time and money for the supported partners.
- United Way staff are trained and have experience in resource development. We also have the advantage of decades of donor relationship building. United Way’s expertise in fundraising enables frontline workers at our supported partners to spend more time helping clients.
- Agencies benefit from the increased awareness a relationship with United Way brings. United Way has the capacity to communicate on a greater scale with national businesses, as well as collaborating with over 300 workplaces in Perth and Huron. United Way speaks on behalf of its partners in multiple ways including Facebook, website, Twitter, e-newsletters, media releases, speaking engagements and printed material. Search engine optimization is also improved with hyperlinked websites, increasing our partners’ digital footprint.
- United Way enables collective efforts, the sharing of knowledge and resources.
- United Way has a formal allocation process that prioritizes applications and awards funding based on demonstrated needs. Not all service providers have the same public awareness and brand power to bring in necessary dollars to serve clients. A federated funder allows the opportunity for all agencies, no matter their size, popularity, or awareness to acquire funds they need in a crowded non-profit space.
Donors can rest assured their money is used with integrity, as United Way requires agencies to submit outcome data, thereby increasing accountability.
No. While we have become experts at the activity of fundraising, United Way is not a professional fundraiser and does not take a percentage of donations as profit.
No. Thanks to our staff and volunteers we are able to conduct our fundraising efforts with internal resources.
United Way Perth-Huron relies on the generous contributions of community members and engages hundreds of volunteers every year to keep our costs as low as possible. Some of these contributions come in the form of in-kind donations, such as equipment donated to aid in office operations, resource for events, etc. United Way Perth-Huron also receives services rendered on a pro-bono basis.
If you contributed via payroll deduction though your workplace or if you contributed through a pension plan, your contribution should be reflected on your T4 and a tax receipt is not required.
If you donated by cash, credit card or cheque, your contribution will be receipted by UWPH approximately three weeks after donating
Special Event contributions such as draw tickets, 50/50 and lottery tickets, auction and garage sale purchases, coin drives and food purchases are not eligible for a tax receipt. A receipt cannot be issued when you receive something of value in return for your contribution (or the chance to receive something of value in return).
United Way is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information. The information you provide us will be used to assist in the proper administration and acknowledgement of your gift, to issue tax receipts, and to fulfill your information requests. We do not sell donor information, nor do we share donor information with other agencies, unless donors ask us to do so. We protect information through secure computer systems, use of an independent server, and proper document handling.
No one should feel forced to give to UWPH. Giving is a personal choice that should be made voluntarily and with the provision that you, the donor, have adequate information to make an informed decision. If you feel pressured to give, please contact our office.
About Our Investment in the Community
Local agencies are given the opportunity to submit applications requesting funding from UWPH. These requests are reviewed in-depth by a committee of community volunteers, referred to as the Community Impact & Allocations Committee, who determine whether the agency's application meets the UWPH mission, eligibility criteria and focus areas. The committee attempts to evaluate and prioritize applications in order to serve the community’s needs. After review of agency funding application(s), financial information and sometimes meetings with representatives from the agency, the Allocations Committee develops recommendations that are forwarded to the Board of Directors for consideration. Funds are then allocated to qualifying agencies.
Funds are allocated to almost 50 Supported Partners annually throughout Perth County and Huron County.
Visit the Your Impact page to view our most recent Investing in Impact report. This report provides more information on the impact of the projects, programs and agencies UWPH invests in. A list of supported partners is also available on our website. You are also investing in our work to advocate for change, provide local research and social planning and incubate new programs when needed.
The United Way DOES NOT fund medical procedures. We recognize the public has potentially divisive opinions regarding some medical procedures. In an effort to maintain UW’s original intent to remain non-partisan and unbiased, we do not fund any services supporting either side of controversial issues.
UWPH does fund some health-related programs not funded by provincial or other sources.
No. While we may support some programs and agencies with religious or political affiliations, our funding goes only to programs that are open, unbiased and accessible to ALL members of the community.
Getting Involved
Through an application form. To find out more about funding available from UWPH and how to apply, please visit the Funding page.
There are a number of ways your organization can get involved. UWPH offers both short- and long-term volunteer opportunities, from getting involved in your workplace campaign, to volunteering on a board/committee, to participating in a special event. The best way to find out options for your organization is to contact us at 519-271-7730 or by email at info@perthhuron.unitedway.ca.
Contact 211 Ontario – a three-digit telephone number that connects you to a full range of non-emergency social, health and government services in your community. To access 211, simply dial the digits “2-1-1” or visit 211 Ontario.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with UWPH. Volunteers are critical to our operation and we wouldn’t be able to inspire change without you.
To find the volunteer opportunity that is right for you, please contact us at 519-271-7730 or by email at info@perthhuron.unitedway.ca. For other volunteer opportunities, please visit ivolunteerperthhuron.ca.
Thank you for your interest in UWPH. To learn more about a career with UWPH, please visit our Get Involved page for current employment opportunities.
We are happy to discuss any questions further upon request. A United Way representative can be contacted during business hours, Monday to Friday, by phone 519-271-7730 or email info@perthhuron.unitedway.ca.
Myths and Facts about the United Way
Every year, an anonymous email floats around the internet with some outrageous allegations about the salary and perks of various CEO’s of well-known organizations such as UNICEF, the American Red Cross, World Vision and United Way.
The source of these highly inaccurate statements is unknown and are obviously intended to create sensation with readers who may believe them to be true just because the email came from a friend. It would appear the author has chosen to target CEO’s of large, reputable charities with falsehoods about their compensation, while identifying another charity’s CEO as apparently having a contrasting very low salary.
While those more familiar with the good work of United Way will simply delete it as just another spam email, others unfortunately may allow it to influence their opinion and even propagate the myths by passing it on.
Here’s some information to assist you in responding to questions pertaining to this email:
While we cannot speak on behalf of other charitable organizations, we can provide factual information about United Way, and in particular, United Way Perth-Huron.
United Way subjects itself to rigorous governance and fiscal stewardship examination through a number of independent third-parties. We also welcome that same rigor by donors, large and small, as they do their homework in contemplating where to target their philanthropy.
About United Way Worldwide
Brian Gallagher (the United Way CEO referred to in the ‘2005 Email’) is the President of United Way Worldwide – a leadership and support organization for the network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 45 countries and territories with a brand value estimated at $14.3 Billion.
- He does not have golf or yacht club membership (he doesn’t even sail) or any of the other outlandish perks stated in the email.
- His compensation is set by a Board of Trustees and is publicly available for those who wish to know.
About United Way Perth-Huron
- Ryan Erb is the Executive Director of United Way Perth-Huron.
- When travelling across Perth and Huron, he drives in a Chevy Sonic (not a private jet), 100% generously sponsored by Stratford Motor Products.
- His family vehicle is a mini-van (not a Rolls Royce).
- United Way and other charities compete with major institutions and the corporate sector for staff and leadership. We are extremely fortunate to have executive leadership that is motivated beyond the fair monetary compensation package we are able to provide.
- United Way Perth-Huron files its annual CRA T3010 report, which includes salary ranges for its highest compensated employees.
- All salaries at United Way Perth-Huron, including senior management, are benchmarked against other Canadian non-profit organizations of similar size and scope in Perth and Huron and among other United Ways throughout Canada.
- In our counties, United Way participates in a survey of not-for-profit organizations comparing salary levels and job descriptions in the social services sector so salaries remain reasonable and fair in comparison with others in the non-profit industry.
- United Way Perth-Huron is in compliance with the required regulatory reporting to Canada Revenue Agency for its executive compensation via its CRA T3010 form. More information may be obtained from the CRA.
- United Way Perth-Huron’s fundraising and related cost of fundraising—which include executive and other salaries—is approximately 16 percent. Money raised in the community stays in the community!
About United Way Canada-Centraide
- Dan Clement is the President and CEO of United Way Canada-Centraide.
United Way Centraide staff work closely with community partners, staff and volunteers across Canada and are hired based on the skills and expertise they bring. The national Board of Directors is made up of volunteers who traditionally have previous experience serving on a local United Way Centraide Board and bring specific expertise from the Canadian public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Executive salaries at United Ways and Centraides across Canada are established by their respective Board of Directors through a comparison of executive compensation at other charities, an assessment of roles and responsibilities and a commitment to spending dollars wisely. Inherent in our values, we provide non-partisan leadership and embrace diversity. We strive to demonstrate trust, integrity, respect, inclusivity and transparency in everything we do. This includes ensuring staff is compensated fairly for the work they carry out on our behalf.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requires charities to provide the salary ranges of their highest paid employees. Salary ranges, without names and actual salaries, are currently published on its website. Salary information is now available on the Canada Revenue Agency website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca
United Way Centraides across Canada have a long history of responsible stewardship. We continue to be recognized for our best practices promoting openness and accountability and make our administrative and fundraising costs available to the public through a variety of means including yearly external audits and annual reports.
Each United Way Centraide in Canada operates as an independent and autonomous organization, following the terms of our membership agreement. While the ratio varies from one local office to another, on average 85% of dollars raised are invested in communities by way of allocations to agencies or though programs delivered directly by us. That leaves an average of 15% of revenues to cover the cost of fundraising.
United Ways across Canada have adopted Transparency in Accounting and Financial Reporting (TAFR) principles for a common standard for reporting fundraising and related administration costs.
Letters from our partners in support of United Way
Letter of Support from Family Services Perth-Huron