Community Impact Investment Model

For nearly 85 years, generous donors have helped United Way Peterborough & District (UWP) build a stronger, more inclusive community. Through strategic investments, we work to improve lives and create real change by addressing the most pressing social issues in Peterborough. Together, we’re making our community a better place for everyone to live, work, and thrive.

We encourage you to explore our past Annual Reports and Financial Statements to see how your support drives meaningful change, ensures transparency, and strengthens our shared commitment to building a better Peterborough. View them here: Reports

United Way Peterborough & District’s Community Impact Investment Model is designed to ensure that every dollar invested creates measurable, meaningful change. Grounded in principles of equity and collaboration, our funding opportunities support initiatives with outcomes that align with our vision for a thriving, inclusive community.

6 Investment Principles:

1. Reconciliation
2. Equity
3. Accessibility
4. Diversity
5. Inclusion
6. Collaboration

2 Focus Areas:

1. Poverty To Possibility
2. Strong & Healthy Communities

3 Community Priorities:

1. Basic Needs – Everyone’s basic needs are met.
2. Life Skills – Everyone has the skills and opportunities to realize their potential.
3. Community Supports – Everyone is supported and belongs.

4 Funding Streams:

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

If your organization shares our commitment to these principles and priorities, we invite you to explore our funding streams and consider applying for support.

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 (UWP) 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.

The Agency Capacity Fund is UWP’s largest reinvestment of donor contributions to date. This new fund supports registered human and social service charities across the City and County of Peterborough that are enhancing capacity to deliver inclusive programs and services. It reflects our deep commitment to reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion (READI), and collaboration. We prioritize organizations that elevate the voices of people with lived/living experience.

Application Period: Closed

Notification Period: December 2025

Contract Period: 3 Years. April 2026 – March 2029

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

Selected Agencies: Our Partner Agencies

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 will help agencies adapt to what Peterborough needs most to implement high-impact initiatives.

In the first allocation, the Priority Issues Fund will prioritize initiatives that strengthen Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) across nonprofit organizations in Peterborough City and County—especially work that helps organizations build lasting capacity and clearly measure progress.

As part of the renewed Impact Model, United Way is trying some new approaches. This funding is intended to advance READI work—and because we want to hear from people and organizations who haven’t always been able to participate in traditional processes—United Way will convene a one‑day Solutions Summit. The Summit is designed to surface community expertise, reduce barriers to participation, and co‑create funding priorities that reflect what Peterborough needs most.

In advance of the Summit, we encourage participation in our survey: Solutions Summit Survey

We will also have an additional virtual engagement opportunity available in mid-May, after the Summit has taken place, but before decisions are made.

The Solutions Summit will replace a traditional call for proposals. Funding recommendations will be approved by the United Way Board.

Fund Amount: Up to $300,000 over 18 months

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: 12 Months. August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027

Fund Amount: Up to $30,000 in small grants of $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

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.

Reaching Home Funding Opportunities

Application Period: Closed February 2025. Next Intake To Be Announced.

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

Learn More About Past Funding Recipients: Reports

Looking For 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