United Way Peterborough & District

What United Way Peterborough & District does

United Way Peterborough & District is a registered Canadian charity (CRA BN: 10545 4482 RR0001), founded in 1941 and currently in its 85th Community Campaign year, that functions as the central community-impact intermediary for the City and County of Peterborough. Its core function is to raise annual charitable contributions through workplace payroll-deduction campaigns, individual donations, monthly giving, securities gifts, bequests, and corporate sponsorships, and to redistribute those funds to 46+ local partner agencies and projects addressing poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, education barriers, and social-service access. The organization operates several direct community programs itself, including Backpacks for Success (12,886+ backpacks distributed to K–12 students since 2003), Coats for Community (2,200 coats in 2024), Period Promise, Day of Caring (volunteer engagement), Peterborough Performs, and the Ultimate Burger Battle; and it is the designated Community Entity for the federal Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy, administering approximately $1.469 million annually in homelessness-response funding. It also runs the local 211 information-and-referral service (9,247+ recorded interactions) and publishes recurring research such as the Living Wage Report and Housing is Fundamental.

The revenue model is donations-driven rather than commercial. The 2025 Community Campaign generated $1,560,075 CAD, representing a 3% year-over-year increase, with the most recent annual federal pass-through at roughly $1.469M. Donor acquisition occurs through a multi-channel model spanning online giving (give.unitedway.ca), workplace payroll deductions coordinated by a 20+ member volunteer Campaign Cabinet, corporate sponsorships (e.g., Miskin Law $5,000, Cogeco $2,500), monthly recurring giving, gifts of securities, and planned-giving bequests; direct mail, phone giving, and event-based collection (Fill the Fords, Day of Caring) round out the funnel. The organization has no proprietary technology, app, or API; service delivery, fundraising operations, and program logistics rely on standard non-profit tooling (Constant Contact for email, national United Way donation portal, social channels including Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube).

The customer base is bifurcated between distributed community donors (thousands of individuals, workplace employees, and small-to-mid local businesses across the Peterborough region) and a smaller set of institutional stakeholders — chiefly the federal government through Reaching Home, the City and County of Peterborough (co-funders of 211), and a network of 46+ partner non-profit agencies receiving allocations. Programs funded include an Agency Capacity Fund ($75K over three years for non-profit capacity), an Innovation Fund, a Neighbourhood Fund ($25K annually), and named initiatives like the Peterborough Culinary Collaborative and Nourish at YWCA Peterborough Haliburton ($65,685 grant). Operational governance is provided by a volunteer Board of Directors (Chair: Karen Wilson), and the organization is currently completing a CEO transition from Jim Russell (nearly 15 years) to Jason Seguya effective July 6, 2026.

Name

United Way Peterborough & District

Legal name

United Way of Peterborough and District

Website

https://www.uwpeterborough.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Way Peterborough & District is a registered Canadian charity that raises and distributes charitable funds to 46+ local partner agencies in Peterborough and County, runs community programs such as Backpacks for Success, Coats for Community, and Period Promise, and administers federal Reaching Home homelessness funding and the local 211 referral service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services and Charitable Fundraising

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Housing Services (62422), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Community fundraising campaigns
• Charitable donations management
• Social services coordination
• Grant administration programs
• Volunteer mobilization services

Headquarters

HQ city

Peterborough

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Community Campaign Donations: Annual community fundraising campaign raising funds from individuals and workplaces in Peterborough and County region. Includes workplace payroll deductions, event fundraising, and individual donations. The 2025 campaign raised $1,560,075 representing a 3% increase over the previous year.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support specific programs and events including Day of Caring, Backpacks for Success, Coats for Community, Ultimate Burger Battle, and Period Promise. Sponsors include businesses like Miskin Law ($5,000 for Day of Caring), Cogeco ($2,500 for Coats for Community), and others.
3. Monthly Giving: Recurring monthly donation program allowing donors to support United Way on an ongoing basis through regular scheduled contributions.
4. Gifts of Securities: Donors can transfer publicly traded shares directly to United Way, receiving a tax receipt for full value without paying capital gains tax on the appreciation.
5. Legacy Bequests: Donors can leave planned gifts and bequests to United Way Peterborough & District through their estate planning.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Way Peterborough & District is a registered Canadian charity that raises funds through annual community campaigns, corporate sponsorships, monthly giving, planned gifts, and government grants. It distributes those funds to 46+ local partner agencies and runs direct community programs (Backpacks for Success, Coats for Community, Period Promise, Day of Caring), administers federal homelessness funding (Reaching Home), operates the 211 information and referral helpline, and convenes local stakeholders on issues such as poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity across the Peterborough and County region.

Product overview

United Way Peterborough & District is a charitable non-profit organization operating as a single unified entity focused on community impact. The organization delivers a portfolio of community programs including Backpacks for Success (school supplies), Coats for Community (winter essentials), Period Promise (menstrual products), and Day of Caring (volunteer initiatives). Major fundraising programs include the annual Community Campaign (currently in its 85th year), Peterborough Performs, and the United Way Ultimate Burger Battle. As the Community Entity for Reaching Home federal homelessness funding, the organization administers grant programs including the Agency Capacity Fund, Neighbourhood Fund, and Innovation Fund to support local partner agencies. The 211 service provides information and referral connections for residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Campaign Annual fundraising campaign raising charitable donations from individuals, workplaces, and corporate sponsors to fund 46+ partner agencies and community programs across Peterborough and County.
• Backpacks for Success School supply distribution program providing backpacks filled with grade-appropriate supplies to financially vulnerable students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 across the Peterborough region.
• Coats for Community

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,886+ backpacks distributed since 2003 through Backpacks for Success program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• PATH (Peterborough Action For Tiny Homes)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2025Coats for Community partnership where PATH collects and distributes winter coats and essentials year-round, expanding from original single-day pickup model. PATH works with agencies across City and County to ensure timely access to warm clothing. Donations accepted at PATH location (385 Lansdowne Street East) with ongoing hours throughout fall and winter.
• Ten Community Partners (Reaching Home Emergency Winter Response)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 January 2022Emergency Winter Response to Homelessness Initiative funded through Reaching Home. Ten community partners funded through March 31, 2022 for outreach, safe drop-in space, health care outreach, COVID testing, and permanent housing options. Partners include agencies dealing directly with homelessness in the community.
• 211 Service (United Way Centraide Canada)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2009211 helpline launched locally in 2009, funded by United Way Peterborough & District, City of Peterborough, and County of Peterborough. Service connects residents to community, social, non-clinical health, and government services 24/7 in 150+ languages. Has answered over 9,247 interactions from local residents. Top needs: Health, Housing, Income Support, Information Services, Mental Health & Addictions.
• Auto Connect SalesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity event partner hosting Fill the Fords backpack collection event at their location (1175 Lansdowne St. West). Provides venue for community BBQ and donation drive.
• City of PeterboroughmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of 'Phoenix Award' for transforming their yearly campaign demonstrating an astounding comeback. Major workplace campaign participant and community partner.
• County of PeterboroughmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of 'Making it Rain' award for delivering an amazing increase in employee event donations. Major workplace campaign participant.
• Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law AdvisoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer of Tiffany Arcari (2026 Campaign Chair) as Community Manager. Firm provides platform for community engagement and entrepreneurship initiatives.
• Community Foundation of Greater PeterboroughminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOVID-19 Community Response Fund partnership announced March 2020 combining resources for pandemic response in Peterborough community.
• McDonnell Street Activity CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for 2025 Campaign Celebration event bringing together partner agencies, workplaces, and community members.
• LaridaeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership extending Laridae's Leadership Development Program to support non-profit sector capacity building in Peterborough.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• United Way Centraide Canada: The national United Way federation coordinating all local chapters including Peterborough & District. Directly comparable as the parent network governing the local chapter, providing brand standards, 211 service infrastructure, and national advocacy — the structural umbrella under which the subject operates.
• Canadian Red Cross: National humanitarian charity operating with similar fundraising campaigns, donor base, and emergency relief mandate. Comparable as a registered Canadian charity with multi-channel fundraising, government partnerships, and broad community programs — though operating nationally rather than regionally.
• United Way Greater Toronto: Much larger United Way chapter serving the Greater Toronto area. Directly comparable as a peer United Way chapter with similar fundraising campaign model, workplace giving programs, and community impact framework, though operating at significantly greater scale and serving a more urban geography.
• Salvation Army Peterborough Citadel: A national charity with a local Peterborough presence delivering social services including homelessness support and emergency assistance. Comparable as a faith-based nonprofit addressing poverty, homelessness, and emergency relief in the same region with similar government funding relationships.

Direct peers

• Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough: A local community foundation operating in the same Peterborough region with comparable grantmaking, donor services, and community investment functions. Already a formal partner through the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, making it the most direct local peer in community philanthropy.
• YWCA Peterborough Haliburton: A funded partner agency of United Way that receives grants (e.g., $65,685 Innovation Fund grant for Peterborough Culinary Collaborative) and delivers direct social services including the Nourish program for women. Highly comparable as a regional nonprofit social services provider sharing both funding flows and operational overlap.
• United Way of Halton & Hamilton: Another Ontario-based United Way chapter of comparable scale operating similar annual campaign model, workplace giving, and community impact investment. One of the closest comparable chapter peers given similar provincial regulatory environment and regional scale.
• Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN): A regional social services nonprofit in Peterborough receiving United Way funding. Directly comparable as a community-based service agency in the same geography, sharing the same donor ecosystem and partnership with United Way.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough: A funded United Way partner agency in the Peterborough region. Comparable as a regional social services nonprofit receiving United Way funding and participating in Day of Caring — operates as both a peer and a downstream beneficiary in the same community impact model.
• Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region: A regional nonprofit addressing affordable housing in the same Peterborough geography. Directly comparable as a community-based nonprofit addressing poverty and housing insecurity in the same service region, with overlapping donor bases and volunteer pools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/UnitedWayPtbo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC8N9WN3dl3n-akE90wvweRQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitedwayptbo
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwayptbo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Way Peterborough & District