Between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, we completed the first year of our three-year strategy for impact and remained steadfast in our commitment to operational excellence. We also leaned into our core value of adaptability in a big way to meet new and growing needs in community by matching targeted funding with interested, motivated donors. 

Our fiscal responsibility and accountability continued at a high standard, and our financial statements have gone through an independent audit. 

We also implemented a new reserve fund policy to ensure the on-going financial stability of the organization. This is now reflected as a current cash asset on our consolidated balance sheet. 

We invested $4.2 million to respond to growing needs in community. 

There are four ways that donor dollars impacted local lives and helped bridge gaps for people who are experiencing poverty and marginalization. 

A few specific highlights include:

• Continuing to invest more than $1 million a year as part of our three-year commitment to support 33 organizations running 35 life-changing programs right here in the Halifax region.  
• Stewarding $2.1 million on behalf of the federal government through the Community Services Recovery Fund to help organizations improve the efficacy, accessibility, and sustainability of services through pandemic recovery and beyond. Halifax-based organizations represent 20 ($1.2 million) of the 35 organizations across the province benefiting from the program. *Application process completed in fiscal 2022-23, funds distributed in early fiscal 2023-24. 
• Responding quickly and efficiently to new and emerging community needs like food insecurity (Healthy Food Fund – $152K) and hurricane relief and recovery (United Hurricane Relief Fund – $356K). 
• Investing almost $33K to share the cost of four micro shelters with Beacon House Interfaith Society to meet the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness

United Way Halifax funding, efforts and attention are all directed toward alleviating poverty and its impacts in community.  For fiscal 2022-23, here are the ways in which we do that:  

We ended the year with a $107,000 deficit due to meeting greater than expected need in targeted community programs and the associated operational expenses. We have a healthy cash balance and are confident we can meet our fiscal commitments for the 2023-24 year.  

During the 2022-23 fiscal year, our internal processes remained consistent with the previous year. This allows us to make year-over-year comparisons, which we know is a meaningful point of reference for our donors and stakeholders. 

Based on our 2022-23 audited financial statements, 78 cents from every dollar raised is invested in community programs and supports. This is well above the 65 cents required by the Canadian Revenue Agency, and in line with non-profit sector best practices of between 75 and 80 cents. The remaining 22 cents is used to fund the operations of United Way Halifax, making sure our impact, local expertise, donor experience, and financial management continue at a high rate of excellence and reflect a level of effectiveness that our donors have come to trust and expect.