Community Impact Funding

Since 2014, United Way Peterborough & District’s community impact funding strategy has been guided by the social determinants of health, aligning with evidence-based approaches to enhancing community well-being. As we continue to evolve, we are deepening our commitment to creating meaningful impact through a lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This renewed focus is designed to ensure that everyone in our community has equitable access to services and supports.

Starting this fall, we will begin accepting applications from organizations that align with one or more of our community impact priority areas:

POVERTY TO POSSIBILITY

  • Basic Needs (Food & Essentials, Housing)
  • Life Skills (Employment & Education, Systems Navigation)

HEALTHY PEOPLE STRONG COMMUNITIES

  • Wellness Supports (In-Home Supports, Support Programs)
  • Belonging (Community Building, Social Supports)

The Community Impact Investment Model Includes 4 Funding Streams:

  1. Agency Capacity Fund
  2. Priority Issues Fund
  3. Neighbourhood Fund
  4. Research & Social Planning Initiatives

Agency Capacity Fund

Capacity is not overhead – it’s the engine of change.

The Agency Capacity Fund helps agencies stay resilient, responsive, and ready. The Agency Capacity Fund from United Way Peterborough & District allows agencies the flexibility to use the financial support where it is needed most. Agencies can apply for funding to deliver services that align with the United Way Peterborough & District community impact priority areas.

Application Period: Details will be announced when applications open on September 9, 2025. Applications for the Agency Capacity Fund close on October 15, 2025 at noon.

Notification Period: December 2025

Contract Period: 3 Years. April 2026 – March 2029

Fund Amount: $25,000 annually for 3 years  ($75,000 total)

Source Of Funding: This funding comes from donations to United Way Peterborough & District. When you donate, sponsor or attend an event, a portion of that donation will go towards the Agency Capacity Fund.

Priority Issues Fund

Meeting the moment with targeted community impact investments.

The Priority Issues Fund helps agencies adapt to what Peterborough needs most to implement high-impact initiatives as determined by the United Way Peterborough & District Board of Directors.

Application Period: January 7, 2026 – February 11, 2026 noon

Notification Period: April 2026

Contract Period: 18 Months. June 2026 – December 2027

Fund Amount: To Be Determined

Source Of Funding: This funding comes from donations to United Way Peterborough & District. When you donate, sponsor or attend an event, a portion of that donation will go towards the Priority Issues Fund.

Neighbourhood Fund

Small investment, big impact.

The Neighbourhood Fund helps grassroots, volunteer-driven project based funding to build strong neighbourhoods throughout the City and County of Peterborough. Priority will go to projects that have not been funded by United Way Peterborough & District in the last 3 years.

Application Period: April 15, 2026 – May 27, 2026 noon

Notification Period: July 2026

Contract Period: 9 Months. August 2026 – March 2027

Fund Amount: $500 to $5000.

Source Of Funding: This funding comes from donations to United Way Peterborough & District. When you donate, sponsor or attend an event, a portion of that donation will go towards the Neighbourhood Fund. The maximum per year for the Neighbourhood Fund is $30,000.

Learn More About United Way’s Neighbourhood Fund & Past Recipients: Neighbourhood Funding

Research & Social Planning Initiatives

Research that listens and advocacy that leads. Turning data into direction, and stories into strategy.

United Way Peterborough & District strives to be a leader in social planning policy development, research and advocacy.

Application Period: Closed

Source Of Funding: This funding comes from donations to United Way Peterborough & District. When you donate, sponsor or attend an event, a portion of that donation goes towards collaborative research and social planning initiatives.

Reaching Home Funding Graphic

Reaching Home

United Way Peterborough & District is the Community Entity (defined as a local organizing committee responsible for setting direction in addressing homelessness in their community)  administers the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy funding stream locally, aiming to provide housing and supports for those experiencing homelessness or living rough.

Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding to communities to help them address their local homelessness needs.  Reaching Home supports the goals of the National Housing Strategy, in particular, to support the most vulnerable Canadians in maintaining safe, stable and affordable housing and to reduce chronic homelessness nationally by 50% by fiscal year 2027 to 2028.

Application Period: Closed

Source Of Funding: This funding comes from Housing, Infrastructure & Communities Canada.

Learn More About Reaching Home: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada – Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy

Looking For Our Past Funding Programs?

Thanks to over 80 years of donor support, United Way Peterborough & District has a proud history of collaborating with local social service agencies to transform our community. United Way works to change social conditions and create opportunities for a better life for individuals and families by making the City and County of Peterborough a better place to live for everyone.

Some of our past funding programs include:

  • Innovation Fund
  • Community Services Recovery Fund
  • Women United Fund

Learn more about these funding programs by reading our past financial statements and annual reports: United Way Peterborough & District Reports

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