2025-27 Strategic Plan
United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin plays a critical role in our community. As the leader for social good, we work to improve lives for everyone by coordinating partners, engaging people on social issues, raising and allocating funds to make long term change, promoting volunteerism and championing equity, diversity & inclusion.
Like many organizations, United Way has experienced major changes over the past few years – both to the work that we do and the environment we do it in. The effects of the pandemic and changing donor behaviour has disrupted traditional fundraising campaigns as well as the needs of the community. The timing was right to refresh United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin’s strategic plan, re-engage & re-energize staff and donors and build on the strong foundational work already completed as a leader in social services for the past 85 years.
Our 2025-2027 Strategic Plan is the result of extensive consultation with the community, partners and interest holders. We listened, we learned and we celebrated. We are proud of the work we do and are thrilled that we have so much support for that work behind us. What has come from our robust conversations is a plan aligned with our values, that looks to continue to build partnerships and collaborations that will enable us to make positive, lasting change for everyone in our local community for years to come.
With your support, we are excited about the future and continuing to drive collective action in addressing community needs. We are dedicated to continuous improvement and look forward to updating you on our progress. Until then, we invite you take a closer look at what we’ll be prioritizing over the next few years!
2025-27 Strategic Directions
Be the leader for social good.
Act as the community impact leader to coordinate plans and achieve social results emphasizing investment in collective approaches and networks.Enhance funding streams outside of workplace campaign.
Approach fundraising as a year-round commitment; focus on alternate funding streams to address changes in both donor behaviour and the operating environment.Strengthen brand awareness and community engagement.
Build awareness and drive support of key activities through disciplined brand management and clear, consistent messaging. Tell our success story of “leading for social good” through our unique role and impactful initiatives.Enhance commitment to EDI and Accessibility.
Demonstrate United Way GWD’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and accessibility through an ongoing program of assessment and improvement.Foster operational health.
Continue to build credibility and trust by ensuring the operational health of United Way GWD; implement and model sector best practices for financial and operational stability.
Strategic Plan Planning Committee
A very special thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, community partners, workplaces and supporters who participated in the design of our Strategic Plan, including our Planning Committee:
Lesley Christodoulou, Co-Chair, UWGWD Board Member
Patricia Tersigni, Co-Chair, UWGWD Board Member
Bonnie DePaul
Maryn Vonk
Michael Glazier
Jennifer Maddock
Maala Kelangath
Paul Mlodzik (Consultant)
Glenna Banda (UWGWD Staff)
Colleen Murdoch (UWGWD Staff)