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By Chad Klassen

Struggle for Survival

STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL: Thompson-Nicola-Cariboo United Way

Aug 15, 2019 | 5:01 PM

KAMLOOPS — In the tenth and final part of our series Struggle For Survival, we profile the Thompson-Nicola-Cariboo United Way, which aids many non-profits in Kamloops and the region. Established in 1959, the United Way serves about 55 organizations as far south as Merritt and all the way up to Quesnel. The agency’s financial struggles have trickled down to other agencies that rely on funding. It’s why the United Way is moving to the North Shore with a more collaborative approach to stretch their dollars further.

Work inside the Xchange is not quite finished, but by the middle of September the United Way’s new office space will be move-in ready.

The Xchange on Tranquille Road is a collaborative space with the United Way and Thompson Rivers University. With revenues remaining stagnant and more non-profits knocking at its door looking for help, the organization saw the writing on the wall and knew it needed to adapt with changing times.

“It’s really about changing the business model of United Way,” said executive director Danalee Baker. “We’ve seen across Canada, donations to organizations like ours on the decline over the last 10 years, and we need to find alternative, sustainable sources. The Xchange provides us with a wonderful opportunity to have a greater impact on our community.”

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The United Way runs a $3.5 million annual budget. More than $1 million is distributed to various organizations in the region, as well as projects. The rest of the funds are given out to communities in need. The Red Cross, for example, has provided a grant to the United Way to help residents who suffered through wildfire in 2017.

Baker says revenues have been steady in the last decade, but the agency’s list of non-profits it helps has grown.

Leasing the space at The Xchange is costing the United Way 20 per cent more than its previous lease downtown. But with the ability to sublease and rent rooms, the organization will be coming out ahead. Cost-cutting measures have come in the form of a smaller space but also staff cuts.

“We’re shrinking our operations from a footprint of 2,800 square feet down to 1,000, and so that significantly decreases our day-to-day operational costs,” said Baker. “When the building is functional and full, this will offset our operational costs, so we can put more money out into community.”

For years now, the United Way has been partnering with TRU to conduct research on how to measure the value of a non-profit and its needs.

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“We look specifically at why an agency exists and why they do the work they do,” said senior manager of community impact Kristi Rintoul. “For example, our friends at the [Kamloops Brain Injury Association] and how brain injury maybe is misunderstood or how folks with a hidden disability like brain injury may not be fairly represented in community.”

The official opening of The Xchange is Sept. 12. Once it’s operational, the hope is to change the fortunes of not only the United Way but also the many non-profits it supports.

“The cost-savings are obviously very attractive and very important, but the most important thing about The Xchange is we can have a greater impact on the community, and that is what we want to do. That’s the end game,” said Baker.