On February 24, 2026, the United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin announced that its 85th annual fundraising campaign successfully raised $2.4 million. This money will be used to fund local programs in Guelph, Ontario, and the surrounding areas that help people with poverty, food security, and mental health issues.
While the $2.4 million is a significant total, organization leaders said the amount fell short of the financial goal they had set for the year. Because the goal was not met, the group may not be able to provide all the money requested by local non-profit agencies that are currently seeing a high demand for services.
John Kelly, the Deputy Minister of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, led the fundraiser as the 2025 campaign chair. Glenna Banda, the executive director of the local United Way, mentioned that many community organizations are currently struggling to keep up with the growing needs of residents.
Several local employers were recognized with Cornerstone Awards for their help during the campaign, including the Linamar Corporation and the University of Guelph. Other award winners included the County of Wellington and The Co-operators for their roles in the fundraising efforts.
The money raised during this campaign is expected to help more than 145,000 people across the region. The United Way has been holding these annual community drives for 85 years to support essential local services.
