A message from our CEO and Board Chair

2022-23 was a year where our value of collaboration came to life in more ways than ever. In the face of challenging community issues, we sought out others to help us work towards needed progress and solutions. These collaborative and collective actions are helping us build bridges to address gaps in our community.

United on systems change

This year marked the beginning of the East Coast Public Policy Training Institute, a partnership with NSCC and Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute. This program equips nonprofit staff from various organizations to effectively influence public policy. Students develop action plans to create new policies, and influence legislation linked to their areas of community passion. Our East Coast version of PPTI has a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in its curriculum, faculty, guest speakers and students. We’re looking forward to the graduation of the first cohort of students this fall.

United on climate change

Last fall’s Hurricane Fiona had devastating impacts on many communities across our province and beyond. It left vulnerable individuals and families feeling the strain of lost income, lost food, lost connection and even greater damages. Collaborating with Emera and Nova Scotia Power and our United Way colleagues in other parts of the province, we launched the United Hurricane Relief Fund to support community organizations to address immediate needs for food, basic needs and emergency kit items.

United Way has always focused on social crises, and increasingly we’re investing time and resources where poverty, social issues, and climate events intersect. This proved essential when wildfires broke out in HRM and Shelburne in late spring. We’re so grateful for the generosity of donors, the trust of corporate partners, and the collaboration of government and nonprofit partners, to ensure a swift response.

United towards equitable funding

United Way has provided grants to registered charities for decades. After federal changes to the Income Tax Act, United Way Halifax is now also able to fund incorporated nonprofit organizations and Indigenous governing bodies. This is an exciting time for us as we continue to increase funding for organizations that are led by and serve Black and Indigenous communities, many of which were previously ineligible for funding due to CRA guidelines. This change has allowed us to more equitably fund and partner with many organizations that are new to us through the Community Services Recovery Fund and Wildfire Recovery.

United in the Maritimes

We continue to regularly collaborate and connect with our United Way colleagues across the province and the Maritimes. We partner on donor and community projects, share experiences and find efficiencies, all of which leads to stronger community impact and better service delivery for donors and other stakeholders. We’re looking forward to continuing to work more closely over the next year.

These are just a handful of the examples of United Way’s strategic collaborations and partnerships over the last year, all made possible through the support of generous and dedicated United Way donors. In an era where it’s often easier to see differences, strong collaboration helps us recognize that when it comes to solving community issues, one thing is clear – it starts with being united.

Sara Napier, President & CEO, United Way Halifax

Kenny Hilaire, Board Chair, United Way Halifax