These grants support the United Way’s goals of helping children and youth thrive both in and out of school, creating inclusive communities, and improving mental health of the province’s most vulnerable individuals and families.  

Recipients of the United Way of PEI’s Community Fund Grants include the Black Cultural Society of PEI, PEERS Alliance, Native Council of PEI, Blooming House, BGC Summerside & Wellington, BGC Charlottetown & Montague, PEI Literacy Alliance, PEI Family Violence Prevention Services, Family Service PEI, and Big Brother Big Sisters PEI, Sierra Club (Wild Child PEI) and Women’s Network of PEI.

“The pandemic highlighted deep inequities in our community and the growing gap between thriving and barely scraping by. Today’s investments focus on the most urgent needs facing Islanders right now,” says Randy Cannon, Board President, United Way of PEI. “We are so grateful to all our donors whose support of United Way allow us to make this very significant investment in Island communities.” 

Each of the organizations has received multi-year funding for programs beginning in April 2022. In addition, United Way of PEI will work with all recipients to provide training, professional development opportunities and will work with them to measure the individual and collective impact of their work.

The United Way of PEI is committed to the advancement of Prince Edward Island communities by bringing resources together to support local non-profit organizations, helping them fund local projects, working with them to build sector strength, while collaborating with local leaders and stakeholders to address the pressing needs of Islanders.  

Black Cultural Society of PEI: BPOC Peer Support Program - The BPOC Peer Support Program will offer mental health support for PEI's Black and People of Colour communities, while simultaneously running an anti-stigma campaign around mental health illness within BPOC communities. 

PEERS Alliance: PEI Queer Youth Collective - The PEI Queer Youth Collective is a low-barrier social support initiative designed to promote community connection, community leadership, resiliency, and psychosocial wellbeing among 2SLGBTQ+ identified youth (≤19) and youth allies. Group meetings are currently held in Summerside and Charlottetown.

Native Council of PEI: Reconciliation and Healing Initiative - Reconciliation and Healing will bring off-reserve Indigenous women, youth, and 2SLGBTQ+ community members affected by residential schools and poverty together to provide group healing activities, Elders support, and education on traditional practices/intergenerational poverty and will raise awareness of NCPEI programs/services available to end poverty. 

Blooming House: Transition Support - The role of the Resource Coordinator supports women in accessing housing, treatment, and community resources to minimize risk of chronic homelessness. They work closely with community partners and Coordinated Access program to meet the diverse needs of women at Blooming House 

BGC Summerside & Wellington: Free Nutritional Breakfast Program - Breakfast program for youth ages 4-18, open Monday to Friday year-round. Provides early morning pickup at designated locations in Summerside, and transportation to the program via club bus. Includes morning supervision, healthy breakfast, and transportation to 6 schools in Summerside and surrounding areas. 

BGC Charlottetown & Montague: Great Futures Bursary Program - This program funds the attendance of at-risk children in the BGC after-school program. It reduces financial barriers to optimal childhood development programming provided by the club in the key hours of 3-6 PM during important employment hours for caregivers.

PEI Literacy Alliance: Ready Set Learn Program - The Ready Set Learn program provides one-to-one tutoring during the summer to children in grades K-6 who are enrolled in English, French, Francophone and EAL language programs. Ready Set Learn is the only free, Island-wide tutoring program for children ages 5-12 who struggle the most in reading, writing and math.

Sierra Club (Wild Child PEI) & Women's Network of PEI: Wild Hub Program - The curriculum for the Wild Hub program will be co-developed by WNPEI and WCPEI and will blend components from each organization’s previous programming. The program will take place from September - June each year.  Sessions will take place weekly and will be co-facilitated by WNPEI and WCPEI.   

PEI Family Violence Prevention Services: Healthy Minds/Healthy Lives Program - Funding will improve training and increase staff time dedicated to mental health supports for women fleeing violence. 

Family Service PEI: Increasing Access to Mental Health Services - Family Service PEI (FSPEI) provides mental health counselling to Islanders regardless of their ability to pay. United Way funding will support the ability to provide fee subsidies and waivers to low-income clients.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters PEI: Teen Mentoring Program - Elementary school children who experience economic insecurity, are newcomers to the community, have physical, intellectual, emotional challenges or are marginalized children are matched with a Teen Mentor for one hour per week during the school year. Mentors help boost confidence while encouraging achievement at school and attaining positive personal relationships.