2025-2026 United Way WRC_Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 39
Strengthening Volunteerism
Across Waterloo Region
Community impact requires more than funding. It depends on people, workplaces, and
organizations working together to create positive change. Through our partnership with
Volunteer Waterloo Region and community engagement initiatives that connect local
businesses with community organizations, United Way helps mobilize the time, talent,
and energy that strengthen local organizations and build a more connected Waterloo
Region.
Volunteer Waterloo Region serves as our community's volunteer hub, helping residents
find meaningful opportunities to contribute while supporting non-profits in recruiting,
training, and engaging volunteers.
According to Volunteer Waterloo Region, more than 250,000 volunteers have
contributed nearly 42 million hours to organizations across Waterloo Region. VWR
estimates the value of those contributions at more than $734 million, demonstrating the
extraordinary impact of volunteerism in our community.
United Way's partnership helps sustain the infrastructure that makes volunteerism
possible, allowing local organizations to focus more of their resources on serving the
community.
When residents volunteer, workplaces
contribute their time and expertise, and
community organizations have the
support they need to engage volunteers
effectively, everyone benefits.
United Way's role extends beyond
investing dollars. We help connect
people, organizations, and workplaces in
ways
that
strengthen
community
capacity, expand impact, and create
opportunities for everyone to contribute
to a stronger Waterloo Region.
We are able to dedicate 93% of
our revenues to direct charitable
programs because we have
support from the United Way.
- Volunteer Waterloo Region
The Impact
community members received
272
personalized assistance to overcome
barriers to volunteering, helping more
residents find opportunities where
they felt welcomed, supported, and
set up for success.
↑40%
of United Way funded partners
used Volunteer Waterloo Region's
volunteer portal to recruit and
engage volunteers.
Learn more: https://volunteerwr.ca/
39
