In 2023, the Northwest Territories faced an unprecedented wildfire season that led to numerous evacuations and caused damage to homes, infrastructure, and buildings.
Within 24 hours of the first major wildfire, United Way NWT activated its Emergency Response Fund and immediately began to provide critical financial support to organizations supporting affected communities and assisting with evacuations across the Northwest Territories.
Our work was supported by a nationwide outpouring of donations totaling over $3.3 million and demonstrating remarkable solidarity nationwide to aid Northerners in their time of need.
The Resilience of Northern Communities
Throughout the 2023 wildfire season, Northerners showed incredible resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity, with community members, local organizations, all levels of government, and emergency responders uniting in an extraordinary display of unity and collaborative support.
Funds Raised and Distributed
United Way NWT’s emergency response focused initially on providing immediate relief, including accommodation, food, and essential supplies, and later transitioned to support ongoing recovery efforts.
Thanks to generous contributions from across Canada, United Way NWT’s Emergency Response Fund distributed over $2.3 million to more than 130 grants in 2023 to community organizations, local partners, Alberta Reception Centres for NWT Evacuees, and Indigenous governments to help with costs associated with evacuations and wildfire relief.
Our direct support included:
- Grocery Gift Cards: Over $440,000
- Fuel Gift Cards: Almost $165,000
- Pets & Animals: Over $125,000
- Youth Support & Care: Over $80,000
- Food Needs: Over $320,000
- Accommodation Support: Over $50,000
- Human Service Organizations: Over $130,000
- Direct Aid: Almost $440,000
- Transportation Needs: Over $65,000
- Families & Children: Over $140,000
- Cultural & Mental Health: Over $85,000
- Personal Hygiene & Laundry: Over $8,0000
- Arts & Culture: Over $2,000
- Emergency Infrastructure & Planning: Over $90,000
You can learn more details about United Way NWT’s 2023 Emergency Response in our latest update here.
Celebrating The Champions Who Funded United Way NWT Emergency Response
The tremendous impact of United Way NWT’s 2023 wildfire response would not have been possible without the unprecedented financial support we received. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all who contributed to the Emergency Response Fund and through our CanadaHelps page.
From the small-dollar donations made by Northerners looking out for one another to all the significant public and private sector contributions listed below and made from across the country, your generosity made a significant difference in the immediate relief we could provide and has helped to strengthen the preparedness of our communities for future challenges.
In recognition of these contributions, we have crafted special badges to commemorate our 2023 Emergency Response Champions.
Diamond Tier Contributions ($50,000 and above):
- Government of Northwest Territories
- Government of Canada
- Government of Nunavut
- Diavik / Rio Tinto
- Anglo American Foundation
- Union of Northern Workers
- TikTok
- De Beers Group
- RBC and Employees
- An Anonymous Foundation
- Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group LTD
- Yukon Employees Union
Gold Tier Contributions ($20,000 and above):
- Arctic Canadian Diamond Company
- Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC)
- Boathouse
- Government of Yukon
- BMO Financial Group
- CIBC Bank
- The Muttart Foundation
- Trottier Foundation
- Northwestel
- Teck Resources Limited
- NWT Fest (with contributions from Salt River First Nation, Boucher Group AIRCON, AECOM and Edmonton International Airport, with special thanks to Cascom Communications, Grey Jay Enterprises and all the musicians that performed)
- Klohn Crippen Berger
- An Anonymous Foundation
- Vancity Humanitarian Fund held at Vancity Community Foundation
- PSAC Social Justice Fund
- RBC & Employees
Platinum Tier Contributors ($8,000 and above):
- Scotiabank
- Navacord
- Midwest Properties
- Chamandy Foundation
- The Gordon Foundation
- Enbridge
- Rio Tinto – Diavik Diamond Mine
- Northern Territories Federation of Labour
- Union of Health and Environment Workers
- Fireground Apparel Co.
- TD Bank
Copper Tier Contributors ($2,000 and above):
- Harris & Company LLP
- Northwestel
- Commercial NDS
- Canadian North
- Sask Teachers’ Federation
- Arctic Co-ops
- Federated Co-operatives Limited, In partnership with Arctic Co-op
- Fasken
- Corona Jewelry
- Canada’s Teacher Federation
- Sequeira Family Foundation
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- Live Nation Ontario Concerts GP
- BC Teachers Federation
- Beaverbrooks
- Kitikmeot BBE Expediting Ltd
- Equipment Sales and Service Ltd.
- Richard Hall
- Dillon Consulting Limited
- Rotary Club of Nanaimo
- Torys LL
- Serenia Life Financial
- Lawson & Lundell
- Northlands Condominium Association
- Top of the World Travel
- Bouwa Whee Catering
- Newfoundland & Labrador Teacher’s Association
- The Tenaquip Foundation
- The Optimist Club of Petersburg, Ontario
- Apple & Employees
- McLennan Ross LLP
- Archibald Robb Consulting
- Ontario Teachers’ Federation
Ensuring Every Dollar Makes an Impact
United Way NWT is dedicated to transparency and effective use of all funds. We ensure that all donations raised in the North stay in the North, with detailed reports on how each dollar is allocated and utilized to maximize impact.
Looking Ahead: Preparedness and Recovery
The journey of recovery and preparedness continues. United Way NWT has launched the Recovery Phase of our Emergency Funding Program (EFP) to provide funding for First Nations governments, charities, non-profits, and municipalities engaged in ongoing work to address the continued impacts of last summer’s wildfire season.
The EFP is overseen by an Emergency Management Committee (EMC) of the UWNWT, made up of residents of the NWT who manage and oversee the Emergency Funding Program. The Emergency Management Committee ensures the policies, procedures, and intentions of the Emergency Funding Program are carried out responsibly, ethically, and equitably.
Join Us in Making a Continued Difference
2023 was a uniquely challenging year for the Northwest Territories and emphasized the important role that our
We invite you to continue supporting United Way NWT as we work to make a lasting difference in the lives of Northerners.
