United Way Responds to Urgent Community Needs with Investment in 59 Local Programs
Guelph, Ontario, April 9, 2026. In response to persistent social challenges such as homelessness, food insecurity, and mental health needs—and as demand for community services continues to outpace available resources—United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin has invested $1.4 million to support fifty ‑nine programs across Guelph, Wellington County, and Dufferin County.
“The most recent funding application process made it clear just how great the need continues to be,” said Glenna Banda, executive director, United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin. “Community partners requested more than two and a half times the funding we had available, which resulted in some incredibly difficult decisions and meant that not every program could be supported.”
Despite these challenges, Banda emphasized United Way’s continued focus on impact and collaboration.
“While we are not able to meet every need, we remain deeply committed to directing our resources toward the most urgent and critical issues facing our community,” Banda said. “We are proud of the difference we make through investing in smart, strategic ways to ultimately move the needle on some of our community’s most complex issues.”
Funds are invested based on identified community needs through five funding streams – From Poverty to Possibility, Healthy People, Thriving Communities, All That Kids Can Be, Rural Communities and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, to support collective approaches to solving a number of critical and complex issues, including poverty, mental health, homelessness, isolation, and hunger. Local agencies apply to receive United Way funding, and a dedicated group of volunteers manage the distribution of funds. Grants are issued for 2-year terms, to support general operations or a specific program.
“We are incredibly grateful for the rare and essential nature of this kind of operational funding, especially funding that prioritizes equity-deserving communities. Operational funding like this is not always available, and the flexibility it provides allows us to create lasting, meaningful impacts. to sustain a community and contribute to a more just and loving future,” said Michelle Peek, executive director, Art Not Shame.
Thirteen new programs (i.e. programs that were not funded by United Way during the previous funding term) are being supported through this round of funding, including Anishnabeg Outreach, Canadian Arab Women’s Association, Community of Hearts, GrandPals (Dufferin County) and Out on the Shelf.
“United Way is deeply rooted in the communities we serve, supporting and strengthening local organizations, including grassroots and equity-deserving organizations, that are closest to the challenges – and the solutions,” said Banda. “Our diverse list of community programs and services helped over 145,000 people last year access services to improve their lives.”
For a complete list of funded programs, visit unitedwayguelph.com/our-impact/agencies-we-support/
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