Toronto-York United Way meets goal, beats $100 million in fundraising

The United Way Toronto and York Region met its annual target despite tough economic times, says CEO.

Thestar.com
Jan. 27, 2016
By Sarah-Joyce Battersby

The United Way of Toronto and York Region beat its 2015 fundraising campaign goal, raising $100.2 million, the charity announced Wednesday.

The newly formed regional charity announced a goal of raising $100 million last fall.

“Everybody’s feeling really great about it. It was a tough year so people are really, really pleased,” said Susan McIsaac, president and CEO of United Way Toronto and York Region.

She said the charity eclipsed the $97 million raised last year by the preamalgamation organizations for United Way programs and partner agencies, despite the tough economy and restructuring at many large companies.

“It’s a really competitive environment,” she said, but donors pulled together. “Huge, huge success, but we really had to overcome some barriers to get there.”

About 170,000 individuals donated along with “huge” support from corporate donors, she said.

Fifteen hundred supporters gathered at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Wednesday night for the charity’s annual celebration gala for volunteers, donors and business and community leaders, including Toronto Star publisher John Cruickshank.

The campaign relies on 23,000 volunteers and 760 workplaces to help make its goal a reality.

“We literally reach out to every part of the community, and people are so responsive. They’re just amazing,” McIsaac said.

Funds raised go directly to the charity and its 220 partner agencies, such as the Alzheimer Society of York Region and Rexdale Women’s Centre.

Canada Pension Plan president and CEO Mark Wiseman served as the 2015 campaign chair. He passed the torch to Dave McKay, the president and CEO of RBC to chair next year’s campaign.

This will be the last fundraising campaign for McIsaac, who announced earlier this month she will step down this summer to spend more time with her family.

McIsaac admitted the end of the campaign left her with mixed emotions.

“I’m leaving feeling that the organization is strong, that there is great potential for the future,” she said. “But I am definitely sad.”