WATERLOO REGION – United Way Waterloo Region is proud to announce its second quarter funding allocations for 2025, totalling $509,000. These investments will support a range of local organizations dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and youth, preventing gender-based violence, and strengthening community resilience.
This quarter’s funding prioritizes two critical areas of need: Children and Youth, and Hate, Gender-Based, and Family Violence. Funding will provide mentorship, trauma-informed care, and wraparound support through agencies such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region, Child Witness Centre, and oneROOF Youth Services. Additional program support is directed to YWCA Cambridge, John Howard Society of Waterloo-Wellington, Peace for All Canada, and Preston Heights Community Group.
In the area of violence prevention and survivor support, funding strengthens the work of the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, Shelter Movers Southwestern Ontario, and the Coalition of Muslim Women of Kitchener-Waterloo.
Strategic partnerships are also a key part of this funding round. Collaborations with the Children & Youth Planning Table, Immigration Partnership, and Volunteer Waterloo Region support cross-sector alignment and coordinated impact. Each of these funded partners has received a year-long funding commitment, distributed quarterly to ensure stability and flexibility.
“We are honoured to partner with and support these incredible organizations working on the front lines of change,” said Joan Fisk, CEO of United Way Waterloo Region. “By investing in their efforts, we are building a safer, healthier, and more inclusive community for all.”
United Way’s funding decisions are informed by local data, guided by community voices, and driven by a strong commitment to equity. Every dollar invested stays local, directly supporting vital programs that help individuals and families thrive.
For more information and a full list of funded partners, visit Community Investments.
About United Way Waterloo Region (WRC)
United Way Waterloo Region is dedicated to helping people live better lives in every one of the seven communities we serve, and we focus on understanding issues and solutions unique to our community. Thanks to generous donors and partners, we are privileged to collaborate with people, non-profits, and businesses to empower multiple innovative, impactful, and measurable solutions. We are fundraisers and local community builders that support a network of agencies whose programs and services are locally focused, informed, connected, and deeply invested in helping people reach their full potential. To ensure critical agencies, programs and services get the funding they need, and to ensure donors have a clear line of site to the work we do, we have focused on cause-based giving which allows for donations to be directed in a way that aligns with selected priorities and goals. To learn more, connect with us at www.uwaywrc.ca.
Digital Assets:
Please visit www.uwaywrc.ca/about-us/communications/ to download our digital assets and further information, including photos, CEO bio and photo, and other United Way materials.
For more information or for media interviews, please contact:
Jillian Lawrie
Senior Manager, Communications & Advocacy
United Way Waterloo Region
519-888-6100 ext. 218
jlawrie@uwaywrc.ca