United Way Halton & Hamilton is a 4-star charity. It is financially transparent and has an A- results reporting grade, which is above average. Its overhead spending is 30%, which is within Ci’s reasonable range. Its reserve funds can cover program costs for one year and four months, which is also within Ci’s reasonable range.

Founded in 1927, United Way Halton & Hamilton (UWHH) grants funds to local charities, businesses, and organizations that aim to address problems such as poverty, mental health and social isolation in the Hamilton and Halton regions within Ontario. The charity reports that in Hamilton, nearly 60% of households spend over half their income on rent. In Halton, a full-time worker needs to earn $20.75 per hour to cover basic living expenses in their community. It reports that in Canada, one in five people will experience a mental illness in their lifetime and of those, only one in three will seek help.

UWHH spent $8.4m on its programs and grants in the fiscal year ending March 2025 (F2025) as well as $667k in donor-designated grants. UWHH grants to three program areas: Poverty to Possibility, All That Kids Can Be, and Healthy People, Strong Communities. The charity does not provide a spending breakdown of its different granting areas.

Poverty to Possibility programs aim to help people become more economically independent, access affordable goods and services, and develop employment skills. UWHH also conducts a Period Promise initiative that distributed 23,171 menstrual hygiene products. Its funding helped 50,862 people have increased food security and 9,007 people experience increased financial security. Its funding also helped 13,329 people work towards meaningful employment.

All That Kids Can Be programs aim to help children and youth realize their full potential through academic support, mentorship, community involvement, and recreational activities. These programs also aim to help family relationships by promoting healthy engagement with children. In F2025, its funding helped 124,000 children and youths access basic needs and empowerment programs. Its funding also helped 100,385 children and youths become involved in their community.

Healthy People, Strong Communities aims to increase the quality of life in communities through mental health support, wellness and social programs. In F2025, its funding helped 43,391 people access supports due to enhanced community service coordination.

In F2025, UWHH supported 124 programs and 27 agencies across Hamilton and Halton. Its funding helped 226,520 families and residents.

United Way Halton & Hamilton’s financial statements follow activity-based costing, a financial reporting best practice. This means the charity provides a breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising costs.

UWHH received $11.8m in donations in F2025, which is 91% of total revenue. UWHH spent $8.4m on its programs and grants in F2025, which is 65% of revenue (excluding donor-designated grants). In F2025, it recorded a deficit of $123k.

UWHH spent $3.0m on fundraising costs, which is 25% of donations. It spent $617k on administrative costs, which is 5% of revenue. UWHH has total overhead spending of 30%. For every dollar donated to UWHH, 70 cents are available to go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

UWHH has $12.9m in reserve funds (cash and investments). It has donor endowments of $1.6m. Excluding donor-endowed funds, its reserve funds can cover 135% or one year and four months of its annual program and grant costs. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.

This report is an update that has been sent to United Way Halton & Hamilton for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on July 18, 2025, by Leah DeFrancesco.