Matching Gifts for Greater Impact

United Way Niagara is grateful to the hundreds of businesses that support our mission. For many of them, giving back to the community is not an option but a necessary business activity that helps foster growth in the place where their teams live, work and play, all while supporting their community. This year, we are grateful for the support of Heddle Shipyards and MNP, who are the 2023 Gift Match Sponsors.

Heddle Shipyards committed $50,000 in matching funds that will match any increase in donations from individuals of ten per cent or more. Their leadership consider it a priority to give back to the communities where they operate and to provide support where their employees and their families live.

Heddle’s principal charitable activities center on initiatives that matter to their employees. By supporting programs that positively impact their communities and encouraging employees to donate their time through volunteering, it is abundantly clear that Heddle Shipyards cares about Niagara.

Heddle Shipyards maintains the core principles of respecting the environment, making a positive difference in the community and engaging employees in healthy choices. Their desire to have a strong impact wherever possible makes United Way Niagara proud to call them a local partner.

Left to right: Dawn Thorp, Heddle Shipyards Public Relations & Communications Manager and Shaun Padulo, Heddle Shipyards President & CEO with United Way’s Frances Hallworth, CEO and Kevin Jong, Director of Development and Communications.

Heddle’s principal charitable activities center on initiatives that matter to their employees. By supporting programs that positively impact their communities and encouraging employees to donate their time through volunteering, it is abundantly clear that Heddle Shipyards cares about Niagara.

MNP has been no stranger to partnering with United Way Niagara for many years. Beyond financial support, MNP partners and staff also volunteer their time to help food security initiatives in the community such as community gardens and greenhouses, helping increase food access to those in need.

Beyond financial support, MNP partners and staff also volunteer their time to help food security initiatives in the community such as community gardens and greenhouses, helping increase food access to those in need.

Once again MNP has committed their support as New Donor Match sponsors. Anyone who makes a first-time donation of any amount will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the MNP New Donor Match up to an additional $25,000. On top of being a regular contributor to our Days of Caring, MNP also sponsored the 2021 New Donor Match.

Representatives from MNP St. Catharines, including United Way Board Chair Pam Lilley (pictured at right), present a $25,000 cheque at United Way’s Firetruck Pull Campaign Kick-Off event earlier this fall.

It takes more than just one person, organization or agency to make meaningful local impact in Niagara. The social safety net that helps our community thrive in difficult times is only strong if we all work together. United Way is grateful to both Heddle Shipyards and MNP for their generous support and continued partnership in our mission to empower everyone to improve lives and build strong communities.