Where do donor dollars go?

Money raised through the United Way/Centraide campaign is used to fund over 60 specific community programs that deliver services directly to people in need in the Greater Sudbury, Espanola and North Bay areas. As well, donors can designate funds to specific programs.

How do you choose who gets the money?

Agencies apply for funding for specific programs. All applications are reviewed by our Allocations Committee and its Citizen Advisory Panels which make funding recommendations to our Board of Directors who make final funding decisions. Citizens Advisory Panels are teams of volunteers representing a broad cross section of the community, many of whom are not affiliated with United Way/Centraide in any other way.

Does the United Way/Centraide run its own programs?

Yes, some funds pay for certain programs and partnerships run by the United Way/Centraide such as Coats For Kids, a Union Counseling Program, the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, the Aboriginal Secondary School Awards, the Leadership Development Services, the Young Leaders on Board Program, the Winter Warmth Program, Community Grants, and the Emergency Fund.

Do agencies that deliver the funded programs have to be charitable organizations?

Yes, all of the agencies that receive United Way/Centraide funding must meet certain requirements. Most importantly, they must be a registered charity, they must have a volunteer Board of Directors, and they must provide financial statements to ensure that the funding is spent judiciously and on the approved services.

Can any agency apply for funding?

Yes, any agency can apply for funding for a specific program. Funding is provided in two ways: Program Funding and one-time Community Grants.

Program Funding:

Program funding is recurring on a three-year cycle so long as the program remains eligible. These funds come from a pool of donor dollars called the Community Fund.

Community Grants:

Community Grants are one-time funding opportunities available for any agency, conditional upon their ability to meet our guidelines.

How does the United Way/Centraide set its annual fundraising goal?

The United Way/Centraide does not arbitrarily increase its goal each year. However, the cost of delivering services continues to climb. The United Way/Centraide Campaign Chair and the Campaign Cabinet review past and current needs of the community and set targets they believe to be achievable. Utilizing both the assessment of community needs and the forecast of revenues, a final goal is set.

What are your administrative costs?

Canadian law requires that charities spend no more than 20% of the money they raise on administration costs. In the past year administration costs of the United Way/Centraide Sudbury and/et District were approximately 17% of the total budget. Naturally most of that is staffing costs. A certain minimum level of staffing is essential in order to raise more than a million dollars and administer it with integrity and reliability.

What is your pay scale for staff?

The United Way/Centraide Sudbury and/et District strives to provide salaries that are fair but not extravagant. We know we're paying those salaries with donated dollars.
Our research into the salary levels of non-profit and charitable organizations, as well as other United Ways, finds that the staff salaries at the United Way/Centraide Sudbury and/et District are actually lower than comparable positions elsewhere and certainly lower than comparable positions in the private sector. To recruit and keep quality staff we have to rely on our employees' genuine commitment to helping their community.

Is the Board of Directors made up of volunteers?

Yes, members of the United Way/Centraide Sudbury and/et District Board of Directors are all volunteers. In fact, meals at Board meetings, United Way/Centraide clothing, and participation in special events are all at their own expense. In addition, they are expected to give significant financial support to the annual Campaign and its events, along with the time and skills they contribute to our organization. We are truly grateful for their generosity and their dedication to our community.

Does the government fund the United Way/Centraide?

No, the United Way/Centraide receives donations from individuals, businesses and labour partners in our area and distributes the funds to local agencies to operate their programs. From time to time, temporary United Way/Centraide staff positions may be filled through government job subsidy programs to ensure as much of the donated dollars as possible will go directly back to the community.

Is our United Way/Centraide run from a national office?

No, although United Ways throughout Canada are affiliated, each one is autonomous and independent. Local staff and volunteers are directed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of citizens from our community. The United Way of Canada exists to support Canadian United Ways but does not influence the day-to-day operations.

Does the United Way/Centraide fund religious groups?

No, it doesn't. The United Way/Centraide exists to ensure a broad distribution of services available to all members of the community. For this reason we are not affiliated with any particular religion, political party, or level of government.

Does the United Way/Centraide fund abortions?

No, the United Way/Centraide does not fund any programs that provide abortions. In Canada, the funding of abortions is a health issue and is an area of government responsibility.

 

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