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Northern charity expands focus

Chris Puglia
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 30, 2012

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Communities in the North will have an opportunity to be more involved in the NWT chapter of the United Way since the charitable organization has evolved to be less focused on Yellowknife.

The organization swapped the Yellowknife portion of its title for the more inclusive United Way NWT in June and board chair David Connelly said there will be an opportunity for people from outside the capital to volunteer at the board and committee levels.

"The name change reflects the evolution in what we're doing," said Connelly. "In the past, a lot of our applications were coming from Yellowknife or territorial organizations with head offices in Yellowknife. We are starting to get applications from other organizations."

Over the years, United Way Yellowknife had branched out in the programs it has supported and funded to include initiatives around the territory, such as the Inuvik Community Garden. The change in focus has been partly mandated by the changing support the organization has been receiving. Connelly said the United Way endeavours to funnel donations it receives back to the communities where donations originated.

With more money coming from communities outside the capital, there is an opportunity for those contributors to apply for those funds to be reinvested into not-for-profit programs that support youth, develop healthy communities and assist people in financial hardship meet basic needs.

Last year, Connelly said United Way Yellowkniferaised approximately $144,000 to support a variety of programs, adding the organization generally doles out about 80 per cent of what it collects.

Although the United Way accepts direct donations, a majority of its funds are collected through payroll contribution programs through employers and fundraising events, Connelly said.

The United Way NWT is in the process of updating its website to reflect the changes and Connelly said its application process will also be available on the website. To make applying for funding easier, the NWT chapter of the United Way also plans to schedule regular calls for proposals.

In the meantime, the organization is presently recruiting for a new executive director and is always looking for volunteers.

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