When it adopted a results measurement model in 2000, United Way of Calgary and Area invested in a system to support the capacity of our funded agencies to measure the outcomes of their work and the impact they are having in people’s lives.

Armed with this information from agencies, we can now evaluate and demonstrate the impact of our investments.

United Way recently evaluated the work done over the course of 2008 in it’s key investment areas of “Incomes and Employment” and “Housing and Supports”. The results confirmed that the projects undertaken, and the programs funded through our agencies and partners, have once again made a measurable difference in our community.

Analysis shows that investments in these areas were leveraged at a ratio of approximately 1:6. That means for every $1 spent, there was a savings to society of at least $6*. That is an incredible value for the money. It is especially impressive when you consider that United Way has successfully realized the same rate of return since 2006, despite rising costs.

2009 Measuring Up Report (PDF)