MAGAZINE OF UNITED WAY OF THE ALBERTA CAPITAL REGION • SUMMER/FALL • 2016
THIS COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE OF WE MAGAZINE IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF CORPORATE SPONSORS THIS ISSUE OF WE MAGAZINE IS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY EPCOR
k n a Th You FOR PAVING THE PATH TO A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY! Your generous support, along with the help of over 500 volunteers, has allowed United Way’s Tools for School program to put backpacks in the hands of more than 12,424 children from kindergarten to grade 12 for the 2016/17 school year. Backpacks are distributed to families with limited resources in 30 communities accross the Alberta Capital Region.
A n i n i t i at ive o f Unite d Wa y of t h e A l b e rta Ca pita l Re gio n
STURGEON COUNTY
LAMONT COUNTY
EDMONTON PARKLAND COUNTY
STRATHCONA COUNTY LEDUC COUNTY
myunitedway.ca
SUMMER/FALL • 2016 SPOTLIGHT Celebrating 75 Years 9 THE EVOLUTION OF GIVING United Way has a long history of bringing people together to help those in need
13 JOINING FORCES TO FIGHT POVERTY United Way partners with the city to help lift more people out of poverty
19 MAKING THEIR MARK A new grant program mobilizes youth to make a real difference in the community
22 THE NEED IS GREAT Economic uncertainty creates greater pressure on families in low income
DEPARTMENTS 4 MESSAGE FROM UNITED WAY
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5 THIS WAY IN 28
Latest news on events and community impact
8 TRUTH BE TOLD Sharing the facts on fundraising and costeffectiveness of donations
24 LEADING EDGE Innovative and responsive, United Way takes a leadership role in meeting the community’s needs
28 MILESTONES Tracing the history of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region
30 BUSINESS WAY 5
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Dentons advisor provides guidance on leaving a lasting legacy
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O UR WAY
Anne Smith President & CEO, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region
Celebrating 75 Years SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS IS A LONG TIME, BRINGING WITH IT monumental change. We’ve been through wars, explored the moon and, in the last few decades, technology has taken over most aspects of our lives. But through it all, one thing has remained constant: our basic human desire to help others, and to make our world a better place. The same holds true for United Way. From the initial federation of 28 social agencies to today’s network of thousands of people and organizations; from our Red Feather logo to the helping hand; from door-to-door canvassing to online giving, the core of our work, our reason for being, remains the same: a common belief that we can accomplish so much more by working together than we can alone. Our most recent evolution began with a desire to help people change their lives for the better by getting at the root causes of the issues that hold us back. With that, we launched our new mission and vision, Creating Pathways Out of Poverty. This mission is focused more on addressing poverty in our region by creating a results-based approach that provides the best opportunities to significantly change lives and social conditions through three focus areas: Education, Income and Wellness. We have been on this new path for three years and the results have been truly outstanding. In 2014, we released our very first scorecard, targeting results in each of our focus areas. We are also proud to be partnering with and supporting the work of EndPoverty Edmonton by providing leadership and helping to identify solutions that will help lift more people out of poverty. I feel honoured to be part of this amazing organization, following so many remarkable and passionate people who have made United Way what it is today. To all the past volunteers, partners, organizations and donors, you are the bricks that built the foundation of our organization and we would not be here without you. Thank you for entrusting your gifts with us and making our community a caring place to live and raise a family.
SUMMER/FALL 2016 VOL 5 • No. 2 UNITED WAY OF THE ALBERTA CAPITAL REGION EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Nancy Critchley ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Angela Dorval, Mike Kluttig, David Odumade COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANTS: Nancy Burns, Cindy McDonald EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Joanne Currie, Myrna Khan, Sheilah Pittman, Anne Smith SPONSORSHIP AND CORPORATE SUPPORT COMMITTEE Nancy Critchley, Myrna Khan, Mike Kluttig VENTURE PUBLISHING INC. PUBLISHER: Ruth Kelly MANAGING EDITOR: Kim Tannas ART DIRECTOR: Charles Burke GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Andrew Wedman PRODUCTION MANAGER: Betty Feniak PRODUCTION TECHNICIANS: Brent Felzien, Brandon Hoover CIRCULATION: Karen Reilly CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jessica Barratt, Lisa Catterall, Debra Clark, Glenn Cook, Dawn Smith CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ILLUSTRATORS: Curtis Comeau, Buffy Goodman, Cooper + O’Hara, Curtis Trent, Heff O’Reilly, Pedersen, Darryl Propp, Ben Rude ABOUT UNITED WAY The mission of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region is to mobilize collective action to create pathways out of poverty.
WE is published for United Way of the Alberta Capital Region by Venture Publishing Inc., 10259-105 Street Edmonton, AB T5J 1E3 Tel: 780-990-0839 Fax: 780-425-4921 Toll-free: 1-866-227-4276 circulation@venturepublishing.ca
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WE is printed on Forest Stewardship Council ® certified paper Publications Agreement #40020055 ISSN 1925-8690 Contents copyright 2016. Content may not be reprinted or reproduced without permission from United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.
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by UNITED WAY STAFF
HELPING OUR NORTHERN NEIGHBOURS WHILE WILDFIRES BURNED THROUGH Fort McMurray and the Wood Buffalo Region, and residents fled the area, many evacuees found temporary refuge in Edmonton and area. United Way of the Alberta Capital Region (UWACR), located in Edmonton, was glad to help United Way Fort McMurray, Some Other Solutions, Fuse
Social, and Canadian Red Cross with temporary work space, technology assistance and personnel so they could continue their work through this urgent time. As well, UWACR gave 400 personal hygiene care kits to the Edmonton Emergency Relief Centre and, through the United Way Tools for School program, provided 1,500 packages of school supplies to some of the children who were temporarily placed in schools around the region.
NEW CO-CHAIRS HAVE SOME BIG SHOES TO FILL AS RUTH KELLY, PRESIDENT and CEO of Venture Publishing, steps down from two years as United Way campaign chair, Sarah Chan and Tom Redl, Chandos president and CEO, accept and admire the red shoes they are given by Ruth as they step into their new positions of co-chairs for the 2016-17 Campaign year. Ruth has provided exceptional leadership over the past two campaigns and United Way is fortunate to have the community leadership of Sarah and Tom to lead the campaign for this year.
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STEPPING UP: (From left) Sarah Chan, Tom Redl and Ruth Kelly.
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THANK YOU FOR CARING! UNITED WAY GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES EDMONTON Community Foundation (ECF) and an anonymous donor, for providing more than $1.5 million in grants to our 2015/2016 campaign to be directed to matched donation programs. “We wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we did without their generous support and the matching grant,” said campaign chair Ruth Kelly. “There is no doubt that this program will make an incredible impact for the people of the Capital Region.” She also noted that even in tough economic times, this grant, which was meant to run over a two-year period, was fully leveraged within four months. “There is an overwhelming feeling of pride when I think about the response to this call for support – a call that was answered immediately,” said Ted Kouri, board chair of Edmonton Community Foundation. “Your concern and generosity as a community is outstanding.”
GIVING THANKS: Ruth Kelly, 2015 campaign chair and Ted Kouri, ECF board chair.
FINANCIAL PATHWAYS COLLABORATIVE AN UNPRECEDENTED EIGHT financial institutions and three communitybased partners have launched a new collaborative focused on helping local families and individuals struggling in poverty. The Financial Pathways Collaborative will help community members living in low income build money management skills and effective budgeting practices through Each One Teach One, a financial literacy training program, as well as help them gain access to available government benefits and subsidies through the Make Tax Time Pay program. Financial sector partners include ATB Financial, BMO, Canadian Western Bank, CIBC, RBC, Scotiabank, Servus Credit Union and TD Bank. And community partners include United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, City of Edmonton and E4C.
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STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: Eight different financial institutions and three community partners are involved in the initiative.
Financial Pathways Collaborative co-chairs Scott Lundell from Servus Credit Union and Joanne Currie from United Way.
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VOICE AGAINST POVERTY UNITED WAY OF THE ALBERTA CAPITAL REGION IS tapping into the musical talents of its community through an online contest called My United Way Voice. The contest, in its second year, launched in partnership with Hot 107FM and PlanIt Sound, invited local singers, rappers and spoken word artists to submit an original song and video about poverty. Some spoke to the challenges of life in poverty, and others created a rallying cry to inspire others to make a difference. Singer-songwriter and DJ GennyP persevered through a judging panel of industry professionals, a showcase performance at West Edmonton Mall, and multiple community-wide voting phases with her original song My Story, a power ballad about the importance of understanding people’s challenges, and how to help them. GennyP was crowned the winner out of 47 established and up-and-coming artists who entered. Visit myunitedwayvoice.ca to see more.
Winner of the My United Way Voice contest, GennyP, performing at United Way’s Red Tie Gala.
My United Way Voice finalists and United Way staff and friends have some fun in the photobooth.
Jon Martins entertains guests.
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Finalist Paul Woida performs with passion at United Way’s Red Tie gala.
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TRUTH BE TOLD by MARTIN DOVER
Making it Count The truth about value and cost-effectiveness – ensuring donations make a real, meaningful difference in our community IN TODAY’S HYPER-CONNECTED world, inaccurate or misleading information can spread faster than ever. Through quick scans of social media feeds, and even faster shares at the click of a button, myths and misconceptions are a regular occurrence. Such is the case with an anonymous message that has been making rounds in email networks and social media channels since at least 2005, covering outlandish claims about fundraising costs and salaries of CEOs at various major charitable organizations. “It pops up now and then, and there’s no knowledge of the original source,” explains Mike Kluttig, vice-president of community engagement with United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. “While people familiar with United Way and other charitable organizations simply dismiss the message as spam, others unfortunately allow it to influence their opinion and pass it along.” The truth is, there are guidelines to help govern non-profits in Canada, there’s a high importance placed on transparency and a strong focus on making the biggest impact possible with dollars raised.
1. GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES FOR NON-PROFITS The Canada Revenue Agency considers conducting a review of a non-profit when more than 35 per cent of their expenditures are going towards fundraising costs. United Way of the Alberta Capital Region falls well below
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that, at only 19 per cent. This means the remaining 81 per cent of all dollars raised is invested in programs and initiatives that help change the lives of people in our community. “This is a far cry from the claims of eight, nine and 14 per cent for various charities putting dollars back into community programs, which was included in some of the false social media posts,” notes Kluttig.
2. ACCURATE INFORMATION IS READILY AVAILABLE United Way is transparent, following high standards for ethical fundraising and financial accountability. Audited financial statements and its Annual Report to the Community are available at myunitedway.ca, including a listing of the more than 50 agencies and 80 programs it supports. The value stretches further, as United Way brings partners together under a shared strategy. “By managing fundraising efforts, social service partners can spend less time on campaigns and more time where it counts – delivering programs and services to help people struggling in the community,” explains Kluttig.
3. SUPPORTING LOCAL NEEDS All United Ways are independent, locally run organizations, responsible for their own fundraising efforts and operations. United Way-Centraide Canada provides guidance and support to over 100 United Ways nationwide – each governed by a volunteer-led board of
directors, focusing efforts on making a difference in their local communities. “Anytime you donate to United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, all the money stays here to support local needs,” says Kluttig. Given all this, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region has consistently received high ratings in MoneySense magazine’s Charity 100 listing, an annual ranking that grades the performance of charities based on factors such as charity efficiency, fundraising costs, and governance and transparency. “We try not to focus too much on magazine ratings because our top priority is being accountable to those who matter most – our local donors and the people we’re helping,” says Kluttig. “But it is nice to see that a third party is recognizing our efforts.” Considering the alternative type of erroneous information that can spread through social media, clearing up myths and misconceptions is an important undertaking, especially when you’re championing efforts to help others. “The false information shared wasn’t even about our local United Way; it focused more in the United States,” explains Kluttig. “But the name recognition is enough to spread misconceptions. And, ultimately, the spread of this kind of false information only hurts communities and the people who need help,” he says. “Making sure the right information is shared and that donors know their dollars are well invested, is all part of making sure our community is well cared for.”
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Yesterday
: CELEBRATING 75 YEARS
United Way has a long history of bringing people together to help those in need by LISA CATTERALL
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: CELEBRATING 75 YEARS
I
N 1941, EDMONTON WAS A VERY
different city. While the country was in the midst of a great war, the city was beginning to establish itself as home to a hardy group of prairie settlers, all determined to make their dreams of life in Western Canada come true. With a population of just over 94,000, Edmonton was only beginning to build its community roots, connecting individuals from across ethnic, cultural and social boundaries. As the population of the city grew, so too did the need for social supports. Inspired by a community-building initiative out of Denver, Colorado, a group of passionate Edmontonians came together to form the Community Chest of Greater Edmonton. With a mandate to take care of the city’s most vulnerable, the organization brought together 28 social service agencies to find a better way to fundraise. Rather than competing with each other for funds, they created a single fundraising campaign to support all 28 agencies. With this move, the Community Chest, chaired by Harvey Harrison, established a unified presence for the city’s charitable organizations. “It was really a group of Edmontonians who thought “At that point, it truly became a federation of donors coalescing their there had to be a better way to fundraise instead of money, making decisions based on community needs,” says Smith. This having a campaign for every single organization,” says donor-based model has served as the foundation for all United Way work ever Anne Smith, president and CEO of United Way of the since. “There have been lots of improvements upon that initial concept in Alberta Capital Region. “They created a federation terms of how we go about defining our priorities and funding them, but the of fundraising committees who would then share the fundamental concept of pooling resources to do something great is still there.” proceeds in some sort of preconceived way based on the From 1960 until 1973, the United Community Fund continued to connect community’s needs at the time.” the city’s charitable organizations, creating an expanding system of supports The Community Chest model worked well in and resources that were used to support the growing population. In 1973, Edmonton, raising over $100,000 in its first year of the United Community Fund became United Way of Edmonton and Area. campaigning. It continued Longtime donor and advocate for United to run in Edmonton until Way Joe Thompson remembers first getting 1960, when the organization involved with the organization around It’s not about the money. It’s about sought to expand and this time. “I joined PCL construction in what the money does that matters. adjust its operational model 1967, and that’s when I first connected – Anne Smith, president and CEO in response to the city’s with the efforts United Way was making in of United Way growing need for social Edmonton,” says Thompson. “As a company, supports. In 1960, the PCL was always encouraging us to give back Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and the Edmonton to the community. And as time went on, I continued to support United District Labour Council sought to create a new network Way’s efforts.” and resource pool for local charitable organizations. This introduction to United Way proved to be life-changing for Thompson. Only this time, instead of creating a federation of After being introduced to the organization’s efforts as a young employee agencies, they created a federation of donors. The United starting out at PCL, he continued to support the organization throughout Community Fund was born, connecting donors and his career. In the 1990s, his support flourished as he took on the role of CEO supporters of 46 agencies from across Edmonton. with PCL Construction. He continued to support United Way and was now
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Yesterday looking for additional ways to advocate for the organization’s impressive work in the community. “We were getting inundated with 10 requests a day from charities. So as an organization, we had to make a decision as to where we should centralize our support,” he recalls, “and we decided that United Way was our first choice.” In order to encourage employees to contribute to United Way’s success, Thompson initiated the PCL Chairman’s Award, an honour awarded to the PCL district office with the highest percentage of donors and funds raised going to United Way. As an added incentive, PCL created a donationmatching program, which is still in place today. In 2015, it resulted in the Edmonton district PCL offices and employees donating $3 million to United Way, a legacy which leaves Thompson feeling proud. “United Way is very efficient in raising funds; their costs for raising funds are much lower than the national average,” says Thompson. “They do a great job of enlisting volunteers to get most of the heavy lifting done and create an impact in the community. So I’m very proud that PCL has gone on to so strongly support them.” Thompson is one of the many remarkable supporters that have helped to support United Way over the years. “There are some really amazing people in this city, and we’ve been able to bring together to make a great impact on the lives of
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people living in poverty in Edmonton,” says Smith. In more than 30 years with the organization, she’s seen the efforts of individuals and groups from all walks of life supporting United Way’s efforts. “Early in my career with United Way, I met with a group from Operation Friendship Society – a drop-in centre for low-income seniors in central Edmonton,” she says fondly, “and they banded together to create a United Way campaign. They do it every year now, saying they want to give back to the community. Every year, they pick bottles or give up a coffee and gather their nickels and dimes and put them in a jar for United Way. They are really the definition of generosity.” This is, of course, only one story of many that have had an impact on Smith in her role. It’s the community connection, the care for fellow Edmontonians, and the dedicated support from such a broad range of donors that fuel her passion for helping those in need. “It’s not about the money. It’s about what the money does that matters,” she says. “The money is the means. It’s the end that really drives the work that we do.”
THROUGHOUT THE 1970S, ’80S AND ’90S, United Way of Edmonton and Area continued to evolve. As time went on, the organization became United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, serving citizens in need in the entire Edmonton Census Metropolitan area including
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Yesterday
: CELEBRATING 75 YEARS
Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Sherwood Park, at that point. At the same time that United Way began to hone its Strathcona County, St. Albert, Leduc, Spruce Grove, efforts in helping families get support and find their pathway out Stony Plain and Parkland County. of poverty, the city elected a mayor who was committed to ending As United Way continued to grow, connecting more poverty within a generation. donors and agencies across the region, the organization “When we made this shift, one of our key goals was to galvanize was put in the unique position of having a comprehensive the community around a common impact agenda of reducing understanding of the problems and challenges faced by poverty,” says Smith. “Lo and behold, the new mayor was committed those in need in the Alberta Capital Region. What it came to ending poverty, and we have governments at all levels that are to understand would lead to a fundamental change in the committed to this goal. So the alignment that is occurring is creating way United Way operated. In a much better understanding of poverty, 2013, the organization shifted and much stronger efforts to end it.” In 2013, the organization shifted its operations: rather than United Way continues to evolve, simply mitigating the effects matching the growing needs of the city its operations: rather than simply of poverty, it decided to focus and the changing priorities of each mitigating the effects of poverty, it on poverty prevention and decided to focus on poverty prevention generation. moving toward elimination. “As technology changes and as the and moving toward elimination. “We refocused our efforts generations change, we too have to around three core areas to change in order to meet the needs of lift people out of poverty: Edmontonians. And that’s been true education, income and wellness,” says Smith. “Poverty isn’t throughout the entire history of the organization,” says Smith. As simply an economic issue. It’s an issue of inclusion and someone who first worked with United Way as a youth brought on exclusion. It’s an issue of capacity, of equity. It’s an issue to help engage the baby boomer generation, she understands the that is measured in terms of economics, but we need to importance of continuous evolution. Now, she’s looking to the future, broaden our understanding of poverty, and how and why it seeking out new ways to engage the next generation. is important and valuable for the whole community.” “I know our next-geners are extremely excited about being a part This renewed focus on ending poverty was well-timed of this opportunity to end poverty,” she says, “and I’m excited to see with the events and motivations unfolding in Edmonton what they will do as they take it to the next level.”
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Today
: CELEBRATING 75 YEARS
United Way is working together with the City of Edmonton to end poverty in the region, and the timing couldn’t be better by DAWN SMITH
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HELP WHERE IT’S NEEDED: United Way invests in dozens of programs to help lift people out of poverty.
T
HE NEED TO FIGHT POVERTY IN OUR
“We are experiencing a bit of a perfect storm,” says Undheim, referring to community is critical, says Allan Undheim, the recession and Fort McMurray fires, which have left workers, including United Way’s vice-president of community foreign employees far away from family supports, displaced in the Edmonton building and investment. “In the Alberta Capital Region, area. The influx of people can cause a strain on the local community, bringing about 120,000 people are with it increased crime and rising social costs. living below the poverty “It’s estimated that the cost of poverty line,” he says, noting the in Alberta is $7.1 to $9.1 billion annually,” City government alone can’t number includes about says Undheim. “It’s a significant drain on take poverty on, but all orders of 40,000 children. “A signifsociety’s resources.” The hopelessness and government and the community icant number of people are social stigma that many living in poverty working together absolutely can. struggling for a variety of experience can be worse than the financial – Mayor Don Iveson reasons.” struggles, he adds. “The impact on families The recent economic is huge. You get to that place of desperation, downturn and the region’s and it’s a struggle.” reliance on the energy sector have made the situation Poverty’s impact on locals has left the region’s social service sector grapworse, Undheim explains. “Given the recent bump in un- pling with how best to respond to the complex issues. United Way, is tackling employment, many struggle with meeting their everyday those issues on many fronts, having identified building pathways out of needs. Others are teetering on the line ... they are really poverty as a priority. vulnerable.” Today, United Way invests in dozens of programs, ranging from eduThe result is an increase in food bank use, homecation and awareness to in-school nutrition programs to counselling and lessness, family violence and suicide rates, the latter of financial literacy. People in all walks of life, from youth to new Canadians which Undheim says has risen by 30 per cent in recent to aboriginals and new parents, benefit from what the organization offers. months. But United Way doesn’t work alone. Not only does the not-for-profit rely
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MOST RECENTLY, UNITED WAY HAS BEEN involved with numerous stakeholders as part of EndPoverty Edmonton, a high-profile task force led by Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson and Bishop Jane Alexander, with the mandate to come up with a plan to end poverty in this city in a generation. In fact more than 200 Edmontonians were involved in coming up with ideas as part of the task force and close to 3,000 citizens and many front-line community partners provided their insights into the emerging strategy in the fall of 2015. ON A MISSION: EndPoverty Edmonton co-chairs After the EndPoverty Edmonton strategy was approved Mayor Don Iveson and Bishop Jane Alexander. by city council in December 2015, a Road Map for action was developed that outlines specific actions all sectors of the community can take over the next five years. Based on input from thousands of Edmontonians, the plan focuses on things stick with families in a holistic way.” like better transit access, affordable child care and more Undheim says United Way is encouraged by a growing awareness of racism. Reconciliation, human rights and a call awareness of the wide-reaching problem of poverty, due in to change the conversation are three distinguishing features part to the recent economic downturn. “Many of us now of the work in Edmonton. know a friend, neighbour or friend of a friend who has lost United Way offered a key voice on the task force, with their job,” he says. “You start to understand – it’s not the president and CEO Anne Smith sitting on the 22-member people who are living in the street, necessarily. It might be board. Numerous United Way staffers were also part of the loss of a job that leads to economic struggles that result the discussion, offering their expertise on several working in kids not going to school, marriages breaking apart.” groups, such as those focused on housing, early childhood He was also amazed at the show of generosity for those forced and transit. to flee from Fort McMurray due to wildfires. “People can see “We have been quite in‘Hey, this can happen to me,’ ” he volved,” says Undheim, noting says, noting the result of this emGiven the recent bump in United Way is also participathy is an outpouring of support. pating in and driving several “There are many people fighting unemployment, many struggle with of the initiatives identified in their fires in a different way.” meeting their everyday needs. Others the Road Map. One of these is Undheim says this empathy is are teetering on the line ... they are 1,000 Families, a $4.2-million critical, explaining when United really vulnerable. program created by United Way started up after the Second – Allan Undheim, vice-president of community Way that will provide intensive World War, the tendency was building and investment, United Way help to 1,000 families in five for communities to support one neighbourhoods by connecting another. He is starting to see individuals to living wage jobs that outpouring again, both from and removing barriers such as child care, transportation, United Way volunteers and donors. affordable housing and poor wages. Bishop Jane Alexander understands the importance of “We ultimately want to support several thousand families this support especially at this time. “The work to end poverty over time,” says Undheim, explaining that 1,000 Families should not just happen during times of abundance and prosprovides wrap-around services, customized to individuals perity. We should put more effort to this work when times to help them out of poverty. “It starts with the person first,” are tough and difficult,” she says. Undheim says of the unique approach. “We are trying to Kate Gunn, director of the city’s community initiatives and
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Today
on hundreds of volunteers and donations from individuals and companies in the region, but it also works with all three levels of government.
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Proud supporter of United Way Congratulations on
PCL – proud supporter of the United Way for over 45 years
75 years
of success!
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is a proud supporter of United Way.
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75 times over. We’re proud to grow together with organizations like United Way of the Alberta Capital Region who have a strong history of making our community shine. Congratulations on 75 years!
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Supporting the communities where we live and work
Today
: CELEBRATING 75 YEARS
CHARTING A PATH: United Way is participating in and driving several of the initiatives in EndPoverty Edmonton’s Road Map.
coordination section, and her team, worked closely with the task force. She says a key idea that emerged from community partners was the need to approach poverty through a human rights lens. “We believe everyone has the right to have access to resources and opportunities to ensure they thrive and participate fully in civic and community life.” She says the task force was inspired by the energy and support of Edmontonians that has propelled and shaped the Road Map to end poverty, noting that more than 35 local organizations and key players have expressed their alignment with the plan and its vision to end poverty in a generation. “They see their work as contributing to this community-wide effort, and have a great sense of hope and shared vision of ending poverty that is really taking root in our city,” says Gunn. “United Way has a long history of working to alleviate poverty,” she says, noting the organization is a key lead on All In For Youth, a collaborative partnership focused on seeing more youth graduate from high school. “United Way isn’t just saying ‘Our work is done.’ They are saying, ‘Count us in. Together, let’s get this done.’ ”
FOR EDMONTON’S MAYOR DON IVESON – WHO recruited and launched the task force in March 2014 as a way to elevate all citizens and build an inclusive city where all prosper and contribute – collaboration with United Way,
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along with a host of other agencies, faith communities, Edmonton’s young and growing indigenous communities, newcomers, business leaders and Edmontonians has been significant. “United Way has been a fantastic leader,” says Iveson, noting that Edmonton is one of over 30 Canadian cities striving to address poverty, but is among the first to bring a significant focus to human rights and to declare that ending poverty is achievable. He says that the new convening table, to be called EndPoverty Edmonton, is fortunate to have United Way’s continued commitment, as a funder, financial agent and host for this fledgling community-led organization. Like United Way, Iveson is passionate about helping people out of poverty and changing the conversation when it comes to ending it. “Over the last 10 years ... the vast majority of Edmontonians have enjoyed economic success, but some folks have been left behind, such as our homeless and people living in poverty,” says Iveson. “That is a threat to social cohesion and affordability of public services.” In addition to the public policy reasons for fighting against poverty, Iveson says there are good moral and ethical reasons for doing the work. He is confident about EndPoverty Edmonton’s Road Map, a bold call to action, thanks to the buy-in he has seen from social agencies, the general public, businesses and the federal and provincial governments, which he wants to thank for their openness and willingness to work with local government and community partners. “City government alone can’t take poverty on, but all orders of government and the community working together absolutely can,” he says.
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Tomorrow
: CELEBRATING 75 YEARS
Grant program mobilizes youth to make a real difference in the fight against poverty by JESSICA BARRATT
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T ALL STARTED TWO YEARS AGO OVER
smartest, most talented and sweetest kids you’ll ever meet,” she says. The goal of the Make Your Mark program was to foster a new generation of altruistic leaders via education while allowing these students the freedom to collaborate and create a plan that would help bring awareness to the cause. “This initiative removes the barriers for them to help in the fight against poverty by giving them resources so they can put their ideas into action,” says Annette Malin, community investment specialist with United Way. And since United Way has always worked to support children and youth throughout their school years, the team already had a solid basis and strong connections to gain support from teachers, staff and superintendents. Submitted projects were selected based on their creativity, understanding of poverty in the region, and their alignment with United Way’s focus; that is, a devotion to addressing not only the symptoms of poverty but the root causes as well. As Malin puts it, “Working alongside these future leaders allows us to move forward into the future with additional creative, engaged and committed people to help us realize our common goal.”
lunch with Edmonton’s First Lady, Sarah Chan (partner of Mayor Don Iveson), explains United Way vice-president Myrna Khan. The two wanted to discuss how Chan, already so involved with Edmonton’s youth, might be able to leverage her expertise into a successful youth initiative. “We identified a gap in engagement and awareness among youth,” says Chan. The question then became: what is the best method for United Way to bridge that gap? One of the answers to that question was a $75,000 grant program launched earlier this year to mark United Way’s 75th anniversary. The Make Your Mark on Poverty program invited students from across the city to come up with their own unique plans to help eradicate poverty in Edmonton and apply for a grant that would allow them to make their dreams a reality. Twenty successful applicants will now have a chance to put those projects ALTHOUGH WINNERS WERE NOTIFIED OF THEIR SUCCESSFUL into action in the fall. applications in early May, many of them won’t be implementing their “While the anniversary gives programs until the fall when school begins. us a chance to look back and A few of the grants, however, are building on see how far we’ve come, and projects that were already up and running, What I love about working with how much of a difference and they showcase the creativity of a new youth is their potential and the our work has made together generation of problem-solvers in the fight through United Way, it’s against poverty. ability for them to think also a chance to look to the Take Bev Facey Community High School outside the box. future. It’s a chance to dream for instance. Students in the school’s PLACE – Sarah Chan about the community we (Practical Learning and Community want to see 75 years from Education) program – aged 15 to 19, and who now, get inspired and consider how we can work together have mild to moderate cognitive disabilities – have been putting together their to make it all a reality,” says Mike Kluttig, United Way’s “Facey Care Kits” for a couple of years. vice-president of community engagement. This project consists of students gathering everyday items, such as socks, The grant program is the second tier in a three-part soap and other toiletries, assembling these kits, and then delivering them to youth initiative, set with the goal of informing youth various agencies where the kits can be given to those in need. Students also around Alberta about the problems of local poverty as write letters to businesses in their community to ask for help. “This project well as motivating them to become part of the change. “It allows our students to gain valuable skills that offer a tangible experience of was Sarah’s ideas, energy and get-things-done attitude helping others,” says Craig Mullen, a PLACE program teacher. “The Make that have made this initiative successful,” says Khan. Your Mark on Poverty program coincided perfectly with our ongoing project,” In the first tier of the youth initiative, Chan – now he adds. co-chair of United Way’s 2016 campaign cabinet – Similarly, at M.E. Lazerte School, three Grade 10 students had already spoke with almost 8,000 students in Edmonton over 18 organized a collective kitchen at their school in partnership with the Edmonton months. “What I love about working with youth is their Multicultural Coalition. Around the time that Shelley Kofluk, the school’s potential and the ability for them to think outside the student leadership department head, heard about the Make Your Mark on box,” says Chan, who also met with some higher needs Poverty grant, a Grade 12 student named Amrit had already asked whether students, with the understanding that no one should she could organize some after-school programming, along with the collective be left out when it comes to talking about big issues. kitchen, to work with the school’s new Syrian students. “I thought the idea could “Some of these students are simultaneously the toughest, be used to apply for the United Way grant,” says Kofluk, who hopes the project,
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The symposium will not only “provide an opportunity for civic engagement,” according to Malin, but will also offers students the potential to “build leadership skills and a capacity … to be a catalyst for positive change.” Groups will have the unique opportunity to engage with today’s movers and shakers in an open setting, so they can draw attention to the issues, and perhaps collaborate with our present leaders and organizations. “United Way exists because community leaders shared a belief that we can accomplish so much more when we work together,” says Kluttig. And now, with a solid commitment to “tomorrow,” United Way is able to envision what their future will hold. “United Way is a place where all age groups, cultures and regions are united to lift people out of poverty, where each person can find a way to participate in a way that connects with their passion,” says Khan. “We all have a role to play in lifting people out of poverty. In the end, it benefits all of us.”
Tomorrow
titled “The Newcomer and Youth Support Program,” will build community connections among all her students. At St. Francis of Assisi School as well, some students – “Apple Leaders” from pre-Kindergarten to Grade 6 – already work hard every Friday to prepare great snacks and activities for their peers. Assistant principal Lorelei Hironaka, after hearing about the campaign from a colleague, felt as if their “Stretching Our Food Power” project met the criteria of the contest since it teaches children about nutrition and helps them get creative in the kitchen – on a budget. “It’s our families who live in poverty who will be empowered,” says Hironaka of the program. The impact of these projects will be celebrated in April 2017. This third tier of the youth initiative will act as a direct connection between these young thinkers and their communities. “We plan to gather government officials, business leaders, teachers, parents and students to share what the Make Your Mark on Poverty projects have accomplished,” says Chan.
TAKING ACTION Students from 20 schools across the region received grants to help make a difference in the community SCHOOL Abbott Elementary and Lawton Jr High Archbishop MacDonald Austin O’Brien Bannerman School Bev Facey Braemar Brightview ESSMY Greenfield Louis St. Laurent M.E. Lazerte Prince Charles School Queen Elizabeth Rio Terrace Spruce Avenue St. Francis of Assisi St. Joseph St. Mark St. Rose Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary
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SCHOOL BOARD EPSB ECSD ECSD EPSB Elk Island EPSB EPSB Sturgeon EPSB ECSD EPSB EPSB EPSB EPSB EPSB ECSD ECSD ECSD ECSD Elk Island
GRADE(S) 3 -9 10 - 12 10 - 12 K -6 10 - 12 10 - 12 6 7 - 12 5 7 - 12 10 - 12 4 -6 10 - 11 5 -6 7 -9 Pre K-6 10 - 12 7 -9 9 7 - 12
PROJECT NAME Sock Hero Project Bridge of Hope Youth as Gardeners: Containers to Communities Uniting Community Facey Care Kits Meals on a Budget Kind Deeds for Those in Need It’s a Colourful Life Hope on Poverty Growing With Our Community - Youth as Gardeners Newcomer and Youth Support Program Backpacks for the Homeless Quality Education vs. Youth Homelessness Growing Food Can Help Fight Poverty Spruce Avenue Community Garden Stretching Our Food Power Root Causes Pop-Up Poverty Awareness Yummtrition The Street Store and Good Coffee
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The
Need is Great Recent statistics highlight a period of increased economic uncertainty, with organizations like United Way needing our support more than ever
EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME The number of people receiving Employment Insurance benefits was up 55.1% in the first eight months of 2015, compared to 2014
Gender gap: There continues to be a significant income gap based on gender. In 2013, the median total income for female tax filers was $31,460 compared to $55,060 for male tax filers
Number of Individuals Receiving Employment Insurance (EI), Edmonton CMA 16
14 12 10 8 6 4
INDIVIDUALS
“After several years of strong employment and income growth, Edmonton is entering a period of increased uncertainty due to a collapse in oil and natural gas prices,” says John Kolkman, research coordinator at the Edmonton Social Planning Council. “The impact of this change is starting to show up in some of the trends we follow.”
FEMALE: $31,460
2 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 YEAR
Income gap: Median family incomes are up overall, but much of this increase has gone to the highest income earners. Since 1982, the top 1% of Edmonton tax filers have seen their after-tax incomes, after accounting for inflation, go up by 53.4% compared to only a 5.9% increase for the bottom 50% TOP 1% BOTTOM 50%
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MALE: $55,060
53.4% INCREASE 5.9% INCREASE
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FOOD
POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS
The number of individuals served by Edmonton’s Food Bank in March 2015 was up 15.4% compared to a year earlier 2014 12,825
Food costs have increased at about twice the rate of inflation. The average weekly cost of a nutritious food basket increased to an average of $225.54 per week in the first six months of 2015, a 70.7% increase in cost compared to 2002
2015 14,794
Over 120,000 people in metro Edmonton lived in poverty in 2013, 10.5% of the population
THERE WAS A 6.2% INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS BETWEEN
Average Weekly Cost of a Nutritious Food Basket, Family of Four, Edmonton CMA
OCTOBER 2012
$240
AND OCTOBER
AVERAGE WEEKLY COST
$220
2014. THERE IS
$200
41,640 of those living in poverty were children and youth under 18
$180 $160 $140
ALSO A TREND TOWARD AN INCREASED
$120
NUMBER
$100 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
OF YOUTH
YEAR
EXPERIENCING
SHELTER
HOMELESSNESS.
Monthly rent prices are up 2.2% from a year earlier to two-bedroom unit
2014 $1,227
THE NUMBER
In the past 10 years, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment increased by 72% – from $732 in 2005 to $1,259 in 2015
2015 $1,259
Average Monthly Rent, Two-Bedroom Apartment, Edmonton CMA $1,400 $1,200 AVERAGE RENT
$1,000 $800 $600 $400 1995
1999
2003
2007 YEAR
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2011
2015
IN 2011, 59.2% OF POOR CHILDREN LIVED IN FAMILIES WHERE AT LEAST ONE PARENT WORKED FULL-TIME FOR THE FULL YEAR
OF HOMELESS PEOPLE IS STILL DOWN 25.1% FROM ITS OCTOBER 2008 PEAK.
Source: Tracking the Trends 2015 Note: 2015 figures based on averaged partial year data
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PHOTO: DARRYL PROPP
L EADING EDGE
Call to Action United Way takes a leadership role in responding to the community’s needs by GLENN COOK
THE NEEDS OF A COMMUNITY ARE constantly changing. And when social agencies try to address those needs, they need to keep up with the changes or risk getting left behind. Thankfully, over the past 75 years, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region has kept up, working closely with its partners to remain on the leading edge of addressing poverty and its root causes in the Edmonton area. “We’re always trying to find the balance between what the community needs and what the community wants,” says Allan Undheim, vice-president of community building and investment for United Way of the
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Alberta Capital Region. “There are social needs that are required in the region, and we have many donors who contribute to United Way, and we’re trying to marry the two. In that process, oftentimes we’re seen as leading edge, but we’re just trying to respond to the needs of the community and the desire of donors to invest in those needs.” One of the most innovative programs United Way has undertaken was the establishment of the 211 phone line in Edmonton, which provides 24-hour access and referrals to social, health and government services. It’s an approach that has
since been adopted by municipalities across Alberta. “211 is an incredibly important resource. We want to make sure the whole province has it,” Undheim says, adding that the service was first introduced by United Way organizations in the United States and is very much connected to the United Way brand. While 211 can be especially helpful during emergencies or natural disasters, like the 2013 floods in Calgary and High River, it’s also very useful day to day. “Within the Alberta Capital Region, we have an incredible array of supports and services available, but people don’t know where
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PHOTO: CURTIS TRENT
to go to access them all,” Undheim says. “Whether you’re looking to volunteer, looking for support for a friend or a family member, or you need help yourself, it’s an easy number to remember.” Speaking of telephones, it was United Way that sprang into action when another vital community resource, the Crisis Support Centre’s Distress Line, was in danger of being scaled back. In September 2014, United Way provided the Crisis Support Centre, a program of The Support Network (TSN), with $48,000 in emergency funding to keep the Distress Line up and running 24 hours a day. The funds also boosted interpreter services to help callers whose first language is not English, and ensured skilled personnel were on hand to handle high call volumes day or night. Today, both the Distress Line and the Edmonton 211 service are operated by the Edmonton branch of
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the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), which merged with TSN in November 2015. The Distress Line handles an average of approximately 1,500 calls a month, 30 per cent of which are from people in crisis. Undheim says that while the CMHA and TSN figured out mostly on their own that their purposes aligned nicely with one another, United Way supported the process and provided some extra resources to help with the integration of the two organizations. United Way’s funding for the Distress Line also remained consistent through the merger. Another innovative program the United Way is involved with is Homeless Connect. This event, which takes places twice a year at the Shaw Conference Centre, brings in people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless and gives them access to essential services that could help them better their situations. These services include
haircuts, dentistry, literacy programs and employment resources. United Way has teamed up with PCL Construction to collect items for and provide care kits for Homeless Connect attendees, which could include everything from socks and foot powder to toothbrushes and deodorant. More than 2,000 of the kits are needed for every Homeless Connect event, including 200 that are specifically for children.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF UNITED Way’s forward thinking came in the aftermath of this summer’s devastating wildfires in Fort McMurray. United Way was quick to respond when it saw that students were in need of immediate help. As the wait to return to Fort McMurray dragged on for evacuees, many families began enrolling their children in school in the Capital Region, hoping to complete their academic year and not fall behind in
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L EADING EDGE
I wish we could transport every donor, every community member, to some of the organizations to see their programs and services at work. I think it’s extremely impactful. – Allan Undheim, vice-president of community building and investment, United Way
their studies. But many of these families barely had the clothes on their backs, let alone the supplies their children needed to attend school. That’s where United Way’s Tools for School program came in. Though it usually ramps up before school starts each September to help students from families with limited resources, the program still had 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies in stock at the United Way InKind Exchange and started distributing those immediately, giving kids what they needed to finish off the school year while they waited to return home. United Way was also there to help out when the Bissell Centre was devastated by fire. The Bissell Centre works to eliminate poverty in Edmonton, and one of its many initiatives is a thrift store. In September 2013, the store’s original location at 118 Avenue and 88 Street was destroyed by fire. In the aftermath of that fire, United Way provided emergency funding to the Bissell Centre to help them relocate and continue providing
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services through the thrift store in a temporary location at 118 Avenue and 80 Street. Unfortunately, that location was also destroyed by fire in June 2014. But the Bissell Centre’s Thrift Shoppe is now back up and running at its original location. United Way has also helped the Bissell Centre by offering up space in its own building on Stony Plain Road and 152 Street for a satellite office. Approximately 30 Bissell Centre employees are stationed there, working on helping people with complex needs find appropriate housing and access other community support services. “United Way has always been responsive to the community’s needs and supportive of the Bissell Centre’s mission, of empowering people to move from poverty to prosperity,” Bissell Centre former CEO Mark Holmgren said in a press
release at the time when the location began operations. Having many initiatives on the go means many chances to see how they are changing people’s lives for the better. That’s extremely rewarding for Undheim and the rest of United Way staff. “I wish we could transport every donor, every community member, to some of the organizations to see their programs and services at work. I think it’s extremely impactful,” he says. And, as needs continue to change, Undheim hopes United Way will continue to work with its partners to remain as relevant and responsive as it is today. “For us, it’s about the outcome we’re trying to achieve. And by continuing to keep our focus on those results, it just creates opportunities. It allows us to see opportunities arise that we might not have seen otherwise and to try new things. And we’re going to continue to do that.”
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Elaine Shannon and her husband Ron.
A Lasting Legacy:
Elaine’s Story I
t happened back in 1992. Elaine Shannon was volunteering for United Way and was asked to give a presentation to the management team where she worked. With little time to prepare, she didn’t have a chance to preview the video that United Way provided. When Elaine pressed play she got a real shock — she instantly recognized the person in the video. It was someone she knew very well who had suffered a devastating loss and the video shared how United Way provided support to help with the grieving process. “I started crying immediately. Everybody in the room was looking at me! I said, ‘I know her.’” It was a moment Elaine will never forget. It was also the moment she decided to become more involved with United Way. “I said to myself, ‘If they can do this for her, they have me for as long as they need me.’” Today, Elaine is a committed donor, passionate about contributing to initiatives that are close to her heart, especially helping children. “Having raised a family here, it’s really important to me that all kids benefit from the advantages that the Alberta Capital Region has to offer. Every child should have the tools they need and be well-fed so they can go to school and study.”
Elaine is also concerned with ensuring her donations really make a difference. “United Way is a really great steward of donor investments — but it’s more than fundraising, they are about action. They bring people together to make a difference. I’m part of a movement that is saying, ‘let’s roll-up our sleeves and do something.’” Elaine and her husband, Ron, have since changed their estate plans to include United Way in their wills. “I want my money to make a difference in the community where I live, work and raise my family. I had been asking myself ‘What more can we do?’ It was an easy decision for us.”
How To Leave Your Legacy There are several ways you can leave a gift in your will to United Way. •
Life Insurance Policy
•
Bequest
•
RRIF or RRSPs
•
Gift of Securities
•
Real Estate
For more information on how you can integrate United Way into your estate plans, contact Donna Roth, Senior Advisor, Community Investments.
780 443 8375 droth@myunitedway.ca ADVERTISEMENT
MILESTONES
Looking Back, Moving Forward 1941 Community Chest of Greater Edmonton is formed as a federation of 28 social service agencies banded together to establish a single fundraising campaign dedicated to “taking care of our own.” Harvey Harrison chairs the first campaign, which raises $102,905.
1991 United Way of Edmonton and Area becomes United Way of the Alberta Capital Region and, with Morley Hanford as chair, raises $8,178,118.
October 22, 1991 Alberta’s minimum wage increases to $5 an hour.
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From its early beginnings, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region has evolved to meet the needs of a growing community
February 14, 1947
June 22, 1950
“Edmonton and its citizens will, it is to be hoped, keep their feet planted firmly on the ground, however rosy may be their dreams of rich future floating on black gold.” – Editorial after the discovery of oil near Leduc.
Edmonton’s civic census puts the population at 148,861.
August 9, 1990
May 19, 1984
September 16, 1981
January 16, 1981
Edmonton’s population is 605,538, topping 600,000 for the first time.
The Edmonton Oilers win their first Stanley Cup, beating four-time champions New York Islanders.
West Edmonton Mall opens its doors for the first time. More than 180,000 hit the mall, looking for deals in 220 stores.
Edmonton’s food bank, the first in Canada, is incorporated.
1995
1997 United Way raises $9.5 million with Angus Watt as campaign chair.
July 1, 2003
2011
The Canadian dollar is worth US$0.72.
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1960 The Community Chest of Greater Edmonton becomes the United Community Fund and raises $1,012,337 under chair E.M. (Joe) Blanchard and support has expanded to 46 agencies.
Changes to Edmonton’s bylaw bans smoking in all restaurants and attached patios, as well as private clubs.
May 7, 1962 The population of Edmonton according to the civic census is 294,967.
According to Edmonton’s Civic Census, the population of the Edmonton Metropolitan Area is 1.15 million (this includes Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Devon, Beaumont and Stony Plain).
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June 6, 1964 The federal government allows civic servants and armed forces to use payroll deduction to donate to the United Community Fund.
1979 United Way’s direct mail program replaces door-to-door solicitation. Campaign raises $3.5 million.
2013 Alberta’s birth rates continue to rise with 54,000 babies born in the province in 2013.
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1973
November 10, 1974
July 1, 1975
October 20, 1975
The Edmonton Coliseum opens – the Edmonton Oilers defeat the Cleveland Crusaders 4-1.
Alberta’s minimum wage increases by 25 cents to $2.50 an hour.
United Way raises $1.3 million in a 24-hour CITV televised telethon, featuring talent from Rolly Hammond, Miss Kathy Emma, JoAnne Worley, Tommy Banks and Bob McGrath.
April 22, 1978
April 1, 1978
January 1, 1977
July 2, 1976
Edmonton’s new Light Rail Transit (LRT) system officially opens.
Edmonton Transit adult ticket price rises to 40 cents; a monthly bus pass is $15.
Marion Morgan becomes the first female president of United Way of Edmonton and Area.
Edmonton’s population is 461,559.
2015
2015
An adult monthly bus pass in Edmonton is $91.50.
United Way of the Alberta Capital Region raises $25.3 million, with Ruth Kelly as campaign chair.
April 2016
The United Community Fund becomes the United Way of Edmonton and Area. The campaign, under E.R.G. Burgess, raises $2,089,293.
September 2013 United Way launches a new mission, Creating Pathways Out of Poverty, with three focus areas: Education, Income and Wellness.
Alberta’s minimum wage rises to $11.20 an hour – Edmonton Social Planning Council determines that a living wage is $17.36 an hour.
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BUSINESS WAY
A Lasting Legacy Dentons Canada tax lawyer provides advice on how to leave a lasting legacy through your estate planning by DEBRA CLARK
WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, nobody really likes to contemplate his or her death, but due to a number of factors, more and more Canadians are now exploring philanthropy as a powerful estate planning tool and catalyst for positive change. By leaving money to charities, donors can align their personal values with financial objectives – ensuring a portion of their wealth is used to support causes they care about after they are gone. “Philanthropy comes in many ways and means different things to different people depending on the resources they have and their family and personal circumstances,” says Edmonton tax lawyer and managing partner at Dentons Canada LLP Carman McNary. “Estate planned gifting, or legacy gifting, is a very good option for people who have often already been contributing to the community for their entire lives,” he explains. While McNary recognizes the decision to leave a financial gift to a non-profit organization upon death is a “very personal decision with no right or wrong answer,” he also notes that many people in Canada are fortunate enough to have been able to build up an estate of significant value. “I see many more families having these [estate gifting] conversations than
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used to be the case, partly because of the fact that Mom and Dad are living very long lives so by the time they turn over their assets, their children are already in their 50s or 60s, and are often established and successful themselves,” he says. According to McNary, smaller families and higher real estate values means there are more people able to look at alternatives beyond passing accumulated assets exclusively onto their children. A smorgasbord of options exist for donors wanting to leave a lasting legacy, which, if done properly, also provides significant tax benefits. “It’s very flexible,” says McNary. “The most important factor is what does a person want to achieve, how can this be done in the most effective and efficient way, and when does the person want to start.” Some steps can be taken before death, while others can be addressed in a person’s will. Gifting can be as simple as a straightforward donation, which provides a tax credit against your estate in the year of your death, or it can come in the form of an endowment. It is best to contact your financial advisor to discuss your options. For higher-net-worth donors, or those planning a significant
contribution, establishing a trust is becoming more common. Charitable remainder trusts are emerging as an important planning vehicle where all or a portion of the remaining trust assets are distributed to a charity at the termination of the trust. However, people may often choose to leave bequests and designate a portion of their estate through their will. Donors can also choose to leave a gift of property, life insurance or even a gift of securities – which can provide significant tax benefits for you or your estate. As an enthusiastic and active United Way volunteer, McNary urges people to think seriously about what portion of their income and their estate may not be needed for family. “The needs of the community have never been larger than they are right now. They are not going down, but up, and it will take the whole community to respond to these needs,” he says. As an umbrella organization, the United Way ensures in the most efficient way possible that donor money is well spent and has the most impact that it can. “The key advantage of leaving a legacy gift with the United Way is that donors can have confidence that their contribution will not be eroded by cost and that the donation will reach an entire community of causes.”
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CAN YOU MAKE THE MONTH? Make the Month is an interactive digital poverty simulation that enables people in the Alberta Capital Region to experience living at or below the poverty line and face decisions that will either make or break the month. This interactive experience shows the realities of surviving day-to-day, paycheque-to-paycheque and the impact that has on your overall well-being.
“The concern over low-income individuals and families is understandable. These are hardworking people struggling to meet their basic needs – from paying rent to putting food on the table. Make the Month is a tool that gives us insight into the barriers to success for these low-income Canadians.” – Todd Hirsch, Chief Economist of ATB Financial
Visit makethemonth.ca to experience what it’s like to live in poverty in our city.