Special Initiatives 

In December 2021, United Way, The City of Toronto, and Lifeline Afghanistan teamed up to create the Afghan Resettlement Fund to support incoming refugees from Afghanistan. United Way coordinated the distribution of funds directly to frontline community agencies, helping this refugee population settle into their new home, through housing and employment support, food, clothing and community connections. 

The African Resettlement Emergency Fund is a granting stream of over $415,000 to address emerging needs across the Greater Toronto area for African refugee claimants and asylum seekers.

Originally announced on August 9, 2023, the fund grew with an incredible $100,000 gift from the WES Mariam Assefa fund. With grants to 42 organizations across Peel, Toronto and York, the fund supports a wide range of programming including access to culturally appropriate food, housing, and health and wellness supports.

The Allan Slaight Seniors Fund supports 15 creative and innovative initiatives to help our region’s most vulnerable seniors age at home while living active, healthy and connected lives. A first of its kind, the fund bridges the gap between the healthcare system and families by connecting seniors to United Way’s network of community agencies ⁠— a critical circle of support to help them stay healthy longer, and close to home. 

Supported by the General Mills Foundation and in partnership with the Greater Twin Cities United Way, these grants supported system-level solutions to increase food security in Mississauga. Projects (completed in 2022) focused on going beyond the traditional food distribution model, connecting community agencies, residents and partners to transform neighbourhoods into places with strong, vibrant and connected local food systems.

Community Hubs are one of the key ways United Way supports strong neighbourhoods. They bring a range of supports and shared, community spaces to underserved neighbourhoods in Toronto’s inner suburbs, ensuring all residents can access essential services, supports, and opportunities for community building, close to home.

In response to continued need and challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, United Way provided $1.2 million in emergency funds to support over 125 programs across Peel, Toronto and York Region in the summer of 2021. Focused on basic needs from food and hygiene to mental health and children’s programming, these projects—many culturally specific ⁠—allocated resources to the people and places in the GTA in greatest need.

ILEO brings together the private, public, and community sectors to find innovative ways to reduce gaps in economic prosperity at the neighbourhood level. A partnership with BMO Financial Group, ILEO is advancing five pilot projects in Scarborough’s Greater Golden Mile while offering a new model for building truly inclusive communities amidst neighbourhood growth and revitalization. For more information on ILEO, please see our dedicated page.

These grants support place-based initiatives to strengthen underserved neighbourhoods across the GTA and address neighbourhood inequality. Developed by and for community, these projects are helping to build local economic opportunity, neighbourhood infrastructure, and social wellbeing. 

These grants support co-designed initiatives where United Way is working with community, local government and corporate partners to meet community needs. Projects focus on enhancing collaboration, coordination and service delivery to advance system-level solutions to poverty.

These grants support local residents and networks in Peel Region’s Cooksville, Malton and downtown Brampton communities to build their understanding of neighbourhood issues and priorities, plan together, and develop community-led solutions to address local challenges.

In response to the historic underfunding of organizations led by Indigenous, Black and other equity-deserving communities, these grants deepen our support for agencies led by, focused on and serving these communities. They equip agencies with the funding and flexibility to build long-term organizational strength and not just keep the doors open, but also build for the future.

The Regent Park Social Impact Investment Fund is a model of place-based investment. Focused on community building, local employment and economic development, safety and communication, the Fund brings resident-led solutions to life in support of inclusive neighbourhood revitalization. 

At the height of Omicron, United Way ramped up support for the community sector through this new emergency fund. Grants distributed in 2021 helped agencies adapt and continue to provide critical in-person or in-home services, from food, gift cards and mental health services to PPE and additional staff support. 

The Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) supports the start-up, sustainability, and scaling of employment social enterprises. Jointly funded with the municipal and federal governments, TEF supports employment social enterprises that improve community engagement, economic participation, and quality of life for people from equity-deserving groups.

With the support of Scotiabank, United Way is working with community agencies and school boards in Toronto and York Region to support the educational and holistic success of Black youth. Inspired by the Black Youth School Success Initiative that began in Peel, the YSSI offers Toronto and York Region students in grades 6 to 8 and their families complementary academic and social supports to build equitable, safe, engaging, and inclusive learning environments.