Northumberland United Way launches 2026-27 campaign after record year of community impact
By West Northumberland Independent staff
Northumberland United Way has officially launched its 2026–27 campaign.
During an event earlier this month, members of local businesses, community partners, volunteers and supporters joined together to celebrate a year of growing impact and look ahead to the work still to come.
The annual campaign kick-off breakfast at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn and Convention Centre highlighted a 2025-26 campaign that surpassed its $750,000 fundraising target, raising $851,487 to support programs, services and initiatives across Northumberland County, attendees heard.
That support is reaching more people and organizations than ever, noted the organization.
Northumberland United Way reported 24,443 people served through 118 funded partners in 2025-26, compared to 17,101 people and 63 funded partners the previous year.
“I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished over the past year, and I’m equally excited to officially introduce our new team members to the community,” said Alicia Vandine, executive director of Northumberland United Way.
“Each person brings something different to our work, and I think that reflects what this campaign is really about. When people bring their strengths, ideas and commitment together, look what we can make possible.”
The growing reach comes at a time when financial pressures are being felt by households across the country, noted Northumberland United Way. United Way Centraide Canada’s latest Financial Anxiety Index found 60 per cent of people in Canada feel anxious when thinking about their personal finances, while 46 per cent said they could cover basic expenses for only one month or less before falling into debt.
The findings helped frame discussion around why listening to community needs and looking out for one another continue to matter.
Beyond fundraising, Northumberland United Way serves as a convener, collaborator and advocate, and the organization works with residents, businesses, community organizations and other partners to identify emerging needs, connect resources and invest where they can make a meaningful local difference, explained the organization.
During the breakfast, the United Way team shared examples of that work through initiatives including Northumberland Eats, Haven for All, Backpacks for Kids, Period Promise and Hygiene Cabinets, Community Matters and Day of Caring, while outlining plans to continue expanding outreach and investment throughout the county.
That work will be guided by Northumberland United Way’s soon-to-be-released strategic plan, which identifies key areas of community focus, including food security, affordable housing, housing and homelessness, mental health, youth mental health, employment and aging in place.
“The organization will continue working with its national office and broader sector partners to bring a Northumberland County perspective to these issues and the conversations surrounding them.”
The year ahead will include continued investment in local programs and partnerships, expansion of food-security initiatives across rural communities, Period Promise and Hygiene Cabinets, a first Trent Hills Day of Caring, and new opportunities for workplaces and community partners to participate throughout the campaign year.
“Building on that momentum, Northumberland United Way has set a 2026-27 fundraising goal of $875,000, with the community once again being asked to help turn local generosity into local impact.”
Workplace campaigns will remain an important part of that effort, but the organization is encouraging businesses and employees to think broadly about what workplace giving can look like. Alongside payroll giving, workplaces can participate through volunteerism, staff challenges, activities, special events and their own creative ideas for bringing colleagues together around local needs, noted United Way.
The event also featured workplace and community partners who spoke about why their organizations continue to support United Way.
As the 2026-27 campaign gets underway, Northumberland United Way said it will continue listening to what people and organizations across the county are experiencing, connecting people and resources, and creating more opportunities for residents and workplaces to take part.
For more information about Northumberland United Way, its programs or opportunities to get involved, visit mynuw.org.
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