At a moment when our city was invited to choose how it would show up for one another, Winnipeggers responded with clarity and care.
Through thousands of acts of generosity and participation—in workplaces, around kitchen tables, and across neighbourhoods—the community came together to raise a record-breaking $23.3 million for United Way Winnipeg’s 2025 campaign. The result reflects not only a powerful show of participation, but a city investing in the long-term strength of the systems that support people and families over time.
The milestone was recognized Thursday evening at United Way Winnipeg’s annual Celebration event, where more than 900 community members gathered to mark the close of the campaign and reflect on what this collective effort signals for Winnipeg’s future.
“Members of the Way do not just give money,” said Matthew Cutler, President and CEO of United Way Winnipeg. “They show up. They stay curious. And they take responsibility beyond themselves.”
He continued, “This moment reflects a shared choice—to care for one another, to strengthen the social infrastructure of our city, and to stay in relationship for the long term. Together, we’re not just funding services. We’re helping build systems that make stability, dignity, and belonging possible.”
The record result supports a city-wide network of more than 125 local agencies and programs — a network that someone in Winnipeg connects with every 13 seconds. United Way Winnipeg plays a lead role in aligning people, workplaces, and community partners to ensure these supports work together as coordinated pathways, helping individuals and families meet immediate needs while building resilience and addressing root causes over time.
Nearly 500 workplaces participated in the campaign, engaging more than 20,000 individual donors and volunteers. Their collective effort helps sustain a continuum of support — from safe places for kids after school, to food and housing security, to counselling, recovery, and avenues to meaningful employment. “These aren’t abstract programs — they’re real outcomes for people,” said JP Perron, 2025 Volunteer Campaign Chair. “Families can make ends meet. People can find reliable work. Kids can feel safe. This is what happens when a city acts together with purpose.”
Looking ahead, United Way Winnipeg announced that Anne Mahon, Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Manitoba, and Paul Mahon, former President and CEO of Canada Life, will serve as co-chairs of the 2026 campaign.
“I love Winnipeg,” Anne Mahon told the audience. “We are all here because we care. Our actions are rooted in love.”
As United Way Winnipeg turns toward the next campaign year, the organization says this year’s result is not an endpoint, but a marker of momentum—reinforcing a shared commitment to continue strengthening the systems that allow people and communities to thrive, today and for generations to come.
