United Way Campaign
Office of the Vice-President (Research) Portfolio
Welcome to the 2024 VPR Campaign Page!
The United Way and the University of Calgary are working together to tackle local issues through the lens of four key outcomes:
- Socioeconomic Well-being,
- Mental Health,
- Social Inclusion
- and Healthy Relationships.
Giving to the Community Impact Fund is the best way to make an impact, as funds are targeted to where they are needed most in our community. The Fund provides stable funding to over 120 agencies, ensuring Calgarians can access services and supports when and where they need them. It supports United Way in responding to urgent and emerging community issues, seeding innovative ways to tackle society's biggest problems, and transforming the systems perpetuating societal disparities.
With your help, UCalgary is aiming to raise $370,000 for the United Way this year. Through your donation, you are choosing to invest in programs and collaborations that provide vital services available to all Calgarians.
The VPR Portfolio is launching fundraising events taking place until Dec. 15 to help the university reach our fundraising goal of $370,000.
Join us for some social (or solitary) activities for a good cause this giving season!
We recognize that challenging times continue for everyone in our campus community. Please note that participation in all United Way activities is completely optional.
Learn more about UCalgary's commitment to our community with the 2024 United Way campus campaign:
Quick Links
Our Community "Star Partners"
Stay tuned to hear about our community partners donating prizes for this year's fundraising campaign!
Be a VPR Superstar!
Play, Support, and Save! Donate $25 to the VPR United Way campaign and receive Superstar status.
Being a superstar grants you access to participate in the Board Game Champion, Winter Wellness Challenge, and Pet Photo Contest (as a voter or to enter a submission) activities without paying the entry fees.
Details
- Log in to the United Way donation portal using your university email
- Donate a minimum of $25 (Can be spread out over time)
- Email the receipt to Colleen to get your Superstar status
- Have fun!!
Activity hosts will reach out to all Superstar holders to confirm participation in the Board Game Champion and Winter Wellness Challenge activities. Superstars can join one, both, or none of the activities.
Key Dates
- VPR Superstar donations must be made on or before November 22
- Hosts will confirm dates for specific activities
You Activity Host
Please reach our to Colleen Geary Joo with the Animal Care Services Office at cgeary@ucalgary.ca with questions or to send your donation receipt.
Board Game Champion
Roll up your sleeves and challenge your colleagues with this year's social event of the season!
Join your fellow campus colleagues in a friendly competition to be crowned Board Game Champion. Held over a series of several lunch hours, players will compete to get the overall highest score!
The game will be easy to learn, play, and have a short run-time (can be completed over the lunch hour) called "Cat in the Box". For more info, see the rules.
Prizes
The Board Game Champion will get to take home a copy of the game as a prize!
Details
- Donate $15 through the United Way donation portal (or become a VPR Superstar to waive the fee)
- Email your donation receipt to Connie to confirm participation in the activity
- Players will be competing individually.
- Highest score at the end of the final heat wins!
- Guaranteed laughs (and groans)
- Winner will receive their own copy of the game!
Key Dates
- Registration for the event will be open until November 22!
- Dates for game heats will be announced based on number of entrants
Your Activity Host
Questions? Contact Connie Tsang with the Transdisciplinary Scholarship group at: cyftsang@ucalgary.ca
Winter Wellness Challenge
Grab a friend (or plan for some solo-time) and focus on well-being in this two-week wellness winter challenge from November 11 - 24!
Wellness includes activities that promote body and mind balance - and are trackable! Points will be recorded either based on steps taken or time spent doing the activity. Prizes will be awarded to the highest earned points at the end of the challenge.
Prizes
(full list of prizes TBA)
Details
- Donate $15 through the United Way donation portal (or become a VPR Superstar to waive the fee
- Email Margot with your donation receipt to confirm your entry to the activity
- Track your activities using an app or other way to record the time and activity
- Record your daily points in our weekly forms
- Week 1 (Nov 11-17) - Submit your daily points here (Week 1 Form)
- Week 2 (Nov 18-24) - Submit your daily points here (Week 2 Form)
Note: Winners will be subject to an audit of recorded activities. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded based on top points at the end of the challenge.
Points Calculator
Tracking Steps: 1 step = 1 point
- Track and record your daily step count using a phone, step counter, or fitness app
Tracking Wellness: Add 5000 points for every 30-min interval
- Wellness includes activities that promote body and mind balance - and are time trackable
- Physical movement like biking or yoga
- Mindfulness practices such as meditation
- Fitness exercises (HIIT, weight lifting, pilates, etc.)
Key Dates
- Challenge runs 2 weeks, November 11-24
- Entry fee must be paid by noon, November 10
- Week 1 tracking form Deadline: noon, November 18
- Mid-challenge standings announced, November 19
- Week 2 tracking form Deadline: noon, November 25
- Challenge winners announced by December 1
Your Activity Host
Contact Margot Scullen with RSO at margot.scullen@ucalgary.ca
The Great VPR Bake Sale
Calling all Bakers:
Heat up your ovens for a good cause and help us bake tasty treats for our VPR-hosted United Way bake sale over 2 separate lunch hours.
Bake sales will be held in the Hunter Student Commons on the main floor by the revolving doors.
To join the fun, please donate some of your favourite goodies for our University community to enjoy! We want everyone to be able to participate so donations can be either homemade/home prepared or prepackaged/commercial items, as long as they're delicious!
Details:
To donate baked goods, please include:
- a name and list of ingredients for the product
- a suggested price per serving
- portions wrapped individually
- indicate if your product meets specific dietary restrictions (gluten-free, lactose-free, etc.)
- all goods MUST BE NUT-FREE
Key Dates:
- Deadline to enter: November 18
- Bake Sales: November 20 and December 4 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Other information:
- Email Margot on or before Nov 15 to indicate your participation
- Donated baked goods will be collected through the RSO office: 6th floor of MacKimmie Tower
- The activity host will be in contact with bakers to arrange drop off times
Your Activity Host:
Questions? Reach out to Margot Scullen in RSO at margot.scullen@ucalgary.ca
VPR Pet Photo Contest
Do you have adorable photos of your beloved pet? Now is your chance to enter your top photo into our competition and win a prize!
Don't have any pets? Don't fret! Members of the VPR Portfolio will be contacted to cast a ballot and submit their votes for their favourite pictures!
Photo entries will be collected from November 4 - December 4
Prizes (full list of prizes TBA)
Details:
- Pet owners - Donate $10 through the United Way donation portal (or become a VPR Superstar to waive the fee)
- Email your donation receipt and pet photo to Colleen or Alexandra until December 4 to confirm participation in the activity
- Voting will run from December 9 -12: stay tuned for an email with instructions on how to submit your votes for your favourite photos!
Key Dates:
Photo Entry Open: November 4 – December 4
Voting Period: December 9 – 12
Winner announced on December 13!
Your Activity Host:
Questions? Reach out to Colleen Geary Joo or Alexandra Phillips in the Animal Care Services Office at cgeary@ucalgary.ca or aphilli@ucalgary.ca
50/50 Raffle
Hosted by the Office of Advancement
UCalgary invites you to participate in our 50/50 raffle as part of our 2024 United Way Workplace Campaign! Simply put, a 50/50 raffle is like a party where someone could leave with a cash prize.
Participants purchase tickets, and the winner walks away with half the total money raised while the rest goes straight to United Way! The more you/your colleagues donate, the higher the pool of winnings!
The pool can go as high as $20,000 (which means the winner can walk away with as much as $10k!)
Details:
- Ticket prices: 200 for $50 | 50 for $20 | 10 for $10 | 1 for $5
- Choose "VP Research" when purchasing tickets to ensure your donation is counted as part of the VPR fundraising campaign
Key Dates:
- Ticket sales - October 1 - November 13
- Draw date - November 14
For More Information:
Visit: UCalgary rafflebox
Sparks of Gratitude
UCalgary’s Sparks of Gratitude campaign is a fun new way to show appreciation for your colleagues and give to United Way at the same time!
This campaign supports a positive, engaged culture, and helps make UCalgary a great place to work and learn. Write messages of thanks, encouragement or just let someone know how they make UCalgary a better place for all. Collect your “sparks” from your area’s United Way cabinet representative.
Details
- Donate $10 and receive 5 “sparks” to share with your colleagues
Key Dates
- Purchase sparks until December 15
More information
Visit: Sparks donation page