The funding of each agency program is reviewed on a three-year basis with Fund Distribution volunteers visiting each agency and using social planning research to determine how agency programs meet a specific need in the community.

“This funding is a direct result of the generosity of the Guelph & Wellington community which successfully reached the 2008 United Way Campaign goal of raising $2.6 million.” says 2008-2009 Campaign Chair Alastair Summerlee. “As our community faces significant challenges, this funding will go a long way in providing essential programs that strengthen our community and improve the lives of every one who lives here.”

The economic challenges facing the Guelph & Wellington community remain a concern as a significant amount of dollars raised through the United Way campaign are pledged by donors who give through their pay cheque throughout the year. 

“As it seems likely the current economic downturn will continue throughout 2009, we predict a significant increase in pledge loss this year” says Steve Allen, United Way of Guelph & Wellington president.  “To ensure we remain fiscally responsible while providing our agencies with as much support as possible, the volunteers of our United Way Board of Directors have decided to reduce all agency funding by 5% for the 2009 calendar year. This will ensure that the loss of pledged dollars has the least possible long-term impact on our agencies.”  Donor pledge loss is the amount of money that has been pledged to us through the previous year’s campaign, but is not received for various reasons including layoffs.

“Last year, we showed we believed in our community by setting an ambitious goal of raising $2.6 million despite significant economic challenges.  By reaching that goal our community showed us that incredible things are possible when we all work together.” says Summerlee.  “This decrease in funding is a sign of the times and shows us that more needs to be done as we look forward to meeting the community’s needs for now and in the future.  We believe in our community and believe that it is possible to meet the needs of everyone who lives here.”

The following agencies will receive the funding indicated throughout 2009

A.C.O.R.D. 5,811

Action Read Community Literacy Centre 47,215

AIDS Committee of Guelph & Wellington 23,857

Alzheimer Society Of Guelph-Wellington 7,837

Autism Society Of Ontario - Wellington County Chapter 9,881

Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Guelph 120,845

Big Brothers Big Sisters Of North Wellington 17,851

Breaststrokes 2,850

Canadian Hearing Society 15,571

Canadian Mental Health Association 26,838

Canadian National Institute For The Blind 18,856

Canadian Red Cross Society – Guelph/Wellington Branch 42,323

Centre Wellington Food Bank 9,500

Chalmers Community Services Centre 10,055

Community Resource Centre 83,790

Community Torchlight O/A Distress Centre Guelph/Well. 75,877

East Wellington Advisory Group 41,895

Epilepsy Waterloo Wellington 2,000

Family Counselling & Support Services 161,322

Food And Friends 32,300

Give Yourself Credit 9,500

Guelph Block Parents Inc. 5,580

Guelph Enabling Garden 9,500

Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition 34,200

Guelph Services For Persons With A Disability 36,164

Guelph / Wellington Seniors Association 10,735

Guelph-Wellington Women In Crisis 51,182

Hospice Wellington 44,337

John Howard Society Of Waterloo-Wellington 59,850

Learning Disabilities Association, Wellington Chapter 21,714

Michael House Pregnancy Care Centre 9,500

Mood Disorders Support Group Of Guelph 9,800

North Wellington Seniors Council 6,650

Ontario March Of Dimes 10,450

Project Serve Canada 16,891

Rainbow Programmes For Children 3,724

Resource Services For Persons With A Disability 11,400

St. John Ambulance - Fergus/Elora Branch 5,007

St. John Ambulance - Guelph Branch 5,772

Second Chance Employment Counseling Inc. 8,075

Spark Of Brilliance 22,193

Student Volunteer Scholarship 6,650

Victorian Order Of Nurses 135,550

Volunteer Centre Of Guelph/Wellington 25,661

Welcome In Drop-In Centre 23,985

Wellington County Learning Centre 31,825

Wyndham House Inc. 254,016

YMCA/YWCA Of Guelph 36,100