WATERLOO REGION, ON – United Way Waterloo Region has announced its third-quarter community investments totalling $510,000, supporting 16 local organizations that are improving lives across the region. These investments fund programs that strengthen community resilience through employment and education and community and social support programs.
While the funding represents an essential lifeline for many community programs, the need continues to grow. This quarter, United Way received over $3.6 million in funding requests – more than seven times the available funding. The gap underscores a growing reality: our community’s needs are outpacing our collective capacity to respond.
Rising costs of living, the housing crisis, the impact of tariffs from the USA, are all slowing economic growth, and reducing donations and charitable gifts to United Way. This means that local charities are getting hit the hardest at exactly when their need for donations is greatest.
“We are proud to invest in programs that are meeting people where they are — in shelters, classrooms, kitchens, and community spaces,” said Joan Fisk, CEO, United Way Waterloo Region. “But the need is greater than ever before. Our local funded partners are stretched thin, and we simply can’t meet every request. That’s why community support matters, because when we unite, we make lasting change possible.”
This quarter’s investments include $41,957.24 through The Tomorrow Fund, dedicated to long-term sustainability and innovation in Cambridge and North Dumfries. Funded recipients include Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre, Kinbridge Community Association, and Rhythm & Blues Cambridge, each working to create inclusive programs that strengthen local connections and wellbeing.
In total, twelve programs and four strategic partnerships received support this round, including initiatives focused on literacy, employment, accessibility, and social inclusion. Strategic partners such as Children & Youth Planning Table, Immigration Partnership, and Volunteer Waterloo Region continue to play a vital role in building system-wide alignment and collaboration.
United Way’s investments this quarter also prioritized organizations supporting the most marginalized members of the community — including Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities, newcomers, and 2SLGBTQ+ residents.
For more information and a full list of funded partners, visit Community Investments.
About United Way Waterloo Region
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.