Unified United Way tops its goal of $100 million

The United Way of Toronto and York Region beat its 2015 fundraising campaign goal, raising $100.2 million, it announced Wednesday.

The newly formed regional charity announced a goal of raising $100 million last fall.

“Everybody’s feeling really great about it. It was a tough year, so people are really, really pleased,” said Susan McIsaac, president and CEO of United Way Toronto and York Region.

She said the charity eclipsed the $97 million raised last year by the pre-amalgamation organizations for United Way programs and partner agencies, despite the tough economy and restructuring at many large companies.

“It’s a really competitive environment,” she said, but donors pulled together. “Huge, huge success, but we really had to overcome some barriers to get there.”

About 170,000 individuals donated along with huge support from corpo- rate donors, she said.

Fifteen hundred supporters gathered at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Wednesday night for the charity’s annual celebration gala for volunteers, donors and business and community leaders, including Toronto Star publisher John Cruickshank.

The campaign relies on 23,000 volunteers and 760 workplaces to help make its goal a reality.

“We literally reach out to every part of the community, and people are so responsive. They’re just amazing,” McIsaac said.

Funds raised go directly to the charity and its 220 partner agencies