Frequently Asked Questions
United Way, an international, volunteer-led not-for-profit organization, has 66 local United Ways in Canada. United Way is known as Centraide in Quebec and Ottawa and other French speaking communities across Canada.
Each United Way-Centraide raises money and allocates funds locally to support its community. Each United Way-Centraide is governed by an autonomous local Board of Directors. With volunteers and staff they help build caring, vibrant communities and responds to a broad range of human needs.
How Do I Get Involved With United Way?
Learn
Seek out information and further expand your knowledge about poverty in our community. Find information on our website www.fmwbunitedway.com.
Build Awareness
Talk to your family, friends and colleagues – spread the facts about poverty and how everyone has a role in changing lives in our community.
Make a Donation
Donate to UWFMWB and help generate the critical resources needed to fund programs and services. Then, celebrate the high-impact results that you helped create.
Generate Momentum
Develop initiatives of your own, encourage support through the organizations and clubs you’re a part of, and share your experiences with friends, family, and colleagues across the community.
Advocate
Call our government representative and tell them how important it is to end poverty in our community.
Volunteer
Explore how you can volunteer to help deliver programs or assist at events. Find volunteer opportunities: Community Investment Team, Board of Directors, Events and Activities, Workplace campaign involvement (Please email campaign@fmwbunitedway.com), and Day of Caring program.
Does Organized Labour Support United Way?
Yes. In fact, in our region, organized labour was a founding partner of United Way. United Way and labour work together to promote and co-operate in the establishment of joint labour-management campaigns in the workplace. For more information, please contact our office at 780-791-0077.
Why Should I Give To United Way Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo? (UWFMWB)
No one organization, or even government, can manage poverty alone. It takes an entire community. UWFMWB brings together organizations, businesses, governments, community members, and community partners in the social services sector who care about the issues we face in our region. No other community organization does this.
Together, we represent one of the most critical and extensive collaborative approaches for change. With clear insight on the social needs of community members, and a collective drive with partners in all sectors. UWFMWB will work to inspire a community-wide effort in achieving its new mission to:
Empower everyone to improve lives and build strong communities.
Why Would I Give Through UWFMWB When I Can Give Directly To An Agency?
We have participation by many funded partners in the social services sector, delivering key community impact programs and initiatives. It is why, with UWFMWB, donations and support go farther and wider than any other charitable investment a community member can make.
All Member Agencies are evaluated by UWFMWB on an annual basis with the following criteria.
- Alignment with UWFMWB Priorities — does the program continue to fit with United Way priorities as determined by the changing needs of the region
- Organizational Stability — is the organization positioned, financially and structurally, to leverage UWFMWB resources effectively and efficiently
- Program Effectiveness — did the organization deliver on agreed-upon results and did they demonstrate positive impact in the community
- Accessibility — is the program or initiative accessible to those it intends to serve and/or have steps been taken to address barriers
- Resource Management — does the organization review financial statements on a regular basis and have they submitted to an audit or review engagement in the past year?
- Need for Funding — does the Agency demonstrate a practical need for UWFMWB dollars and is the proposed budget realistic?
- Agency support for UWFMWB — has the organization helped to promote UWFMWB and have they adhered to relevant policies and procedures
- Follow-Up from Previous Report Recommendations — has the Agency addressed outstanding items identified by UWFMWB staff and/or volunteer committees from past reviews?
Why Aren’t All Agencies A Part Of UWFMWB?
There are many important programs in the community responding to individual and family needs. Our ongoing support of Community Funded Partners is a business decision involving a long-term financial commitment. In order to continue that support we must make decisions that keep us within our financial abilities. The number of agencies or programs funded depend on campaign dollars raised.
In 2025, there were 11 funded community partners, and new investments are considered annually. In addition, some agencies choose not to apply for funding.
Here’s how you can contribute to United Way and support your community.
Fill out the UWFMWB pledge form (electronic or paper), available through your workplace campaign.
Options include payroll deductions, pre-authorized payment (cheque or credit card), or onetime donations (cash, cheque or credit card).
Donate online at www.fmwbunitedway.com.
Give a legacy to UWFMWB at www.fmwbunitedway.com.
Making a monetary contribution to UWFMWB is a personal decision. It’s up to you to decide what gift level best reflects your ability to give and your commitment to helping those in need in our community
Can I Designate My Donation To Other Charities?
Yes. The option of designating to specific agencies is an added service UWFMWB provides to our donors. Agencies must be Canadian registered charities.
UWFMWB retains an administration fee per designated gift to recover the costs associated with this service.
What Happens To My Money After I Donate?
UWFMWB determines where funds will be invested by conducting research to find needs and opportunities in the community. With this understanding, we are able to make sure funds are distributed to the most urgent issues that exist for people in the Wood Buffalo region.
Please visit www.fmwbunitedway.com for a list of our funded community partners.
Where Can I Find Information on UWFMWB’s Community Impact and Partner Results?
UWFMWB and partner agencies regularly track the impact and progress we’re making together in the region, with results covered in annual reports, promotional and educational documentation, and online through websites & social media.
A broad selection of the latest results under each of the UWFMWB’s three focus areas can be found on our website. Please visit www.fmwbunitedway.com.
In 2024, UWFMWB raised over $2,000,000 at an approximate cost to the organization of $436,590, which represents 20%. $0.80 of your donation dollar goes directly to social profit agencies. Our campaign (fundraising expenses) was 11% which is significantly lower than United Way Centraide’s guideline of 15% and the Canada Revenue Agency’s standard of 35%. Check out our financials section on our website for more information.
Where Can I Learn More Information About Fundraising Costs?
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requires that all registered Canadian charities report salary ranges that are subsequently published on the CRA website for public review. CRA also requires accountability, transparency and stewardship of the dollars raised by Canadian not-for-profits to maintain charitable status.
Visit the “Charities and Giving” section on the CRA website for more information and:
- Click on “List of charities & other qualified donees”
- Click on “charities”
- Under “Search” type in a charity name of your choice
- Choose your charity from the listing generated
UWFMWB encourages all individuals to contact their charities of interest and learn the costs associated with each to make an informed decision.