In providing support for the community, ShareLife agencies have an open door policy; helping those most in need regardless of religious or ethnic background. Last year ShareLife agencies helped over 200,000 people in need in our local community.

Our agencies all exist on a sound financial footing. No corporate donor has been asked to risk money on start-up costs. Premises, staff and programs have all been put in place before asking for support.

ShareLife’s low cost ratio of 9% means that 91 cents of every dollar goes to help those people who really need it. ShareLife’s overhead costs are among the lowest in the charitable sector across Canada. The cost ratio of major charities is usually between 13 and 25 percent and some organizations even go as far as spending 50 cents to raise one dollar.

Last year, the ShareLife Corporate Campaign surpassed its $1.25 million goal. Despite that good news, ShareLife agencies reported a needs deficit of more than $500,000. To address the growing needs of the community, the ShareLife Corporate Campaign has established a 2007 goal of $1.4 million, as part of the overall ShareLife fundraising effort.

The breadth of our support is significant. With donors from banking, petroleum, food and beverages as well as the marketing sector to those working in financial services, insurance, retail, and foundations, our donors are a diverse group of corporate citizens who believe ShareLife is an important part of their philanthropic efforts.

We believe that recognition of our corporate and foundation donors is an important way of demonstrating to the broader community how involved a company is in supporting social needs. Each year our top donors are publicly identified in local and national newspapers and the ShareLife website at www.sharelife.org. Our activity report and website serve to recognize top donors and emphasize the growing relationship with our partners in the corporate community. In addition, ShareLife is happy to promote the good works of our corporate supporters to those serving in public life. At the request of our donors, letters of appreciation will be copied to elected officials at various levels of public office.

Sponsorship opportunities are available with respect to our annual golf tournament, print costs associated with the annual report and promotion of our high school initiatives. Donors are invited to participate in these events.