GCWCC fundraising costs – National Capital Region (NCR)


United Way/Centraide manages the GCWCC on behalf of Treasury Board and the Government of Canada.  United Way/Centraide was selected for this role, through Treasury Board’s competitive process, because of our ability to pool resources to reduce the cost of fundraising by other charities and the ability to achieve economies of scale on their behalf.

Actual campaign fundraising costs in the National Capital Region in 2010 were 15% of the total campaign revenue. The direct cost of fundraising for all registered charities is recovered in the form of a 15% fundraising fee. This fee covers actual costs, which includes gift solicitation, advertising and promotion, donor recognition and stewardship, processing, charitable tax receipting, accounting, reporting and auditing. The fee is strongly competitive when compared to Imagine Canada’s national average for charities of 26%.  

To prevent against pledge loss, an additional 5% adjustment is applied on donations for employees who choose to give through payroll deduction. Pledge loss occurs when a donor does not fulfill their pledged gift to the GCWCC. United Way/Centraide applies the pledge loss provision on gifts given through payroll deduction, which in effect acts as an insurance policy and provides stability for recipient charities, as they receive the donation whether or not the pledge is honoured. 

As managers of the campaign, United Way/Centraide is able to keep fundraising costs very low, thanks to the support of many sponsors and contributors who provide gifts and services in-kind and who lend us their staff through our Loaned Representative program during the campaign period.

For more information about fundraising and administrative costs in your region, please contact your local United Way/Centraide.