Developing a Community Needs Assessment Tool using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework in Hamilton-Halton

This project will develop a comprehensive community assessment tool to enhance United Way Halton & Hamilton’s strategic funding approach and strengthen their capacity to respond to evolving community needs. Building upon their established success in mobilizing $12.5 million annually across 117 programs that serve over 200,000 residents, UWHH seeks to advance their evidence-based decision-making through systematic community engagement. The tool will employ the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to assess community assets and needs across six critical domains, evaluate satisfaction with current service provision, and identify preferred approaches to service delivery. Through representative sampling that includes traditionally underrepresented populations, the assessment will generate actionable data to inform strategic funding priorities. This enhanced community feedback mechanism will enable UWHH to optimize their substantial philanthropic investments, strengthen the alignment between their proven program portfolio and emerging community preferences, and advance their demonstrated commitment to measurable impact across the Halton and Hamilton regions.

Faculty Supervisor:

Bruce Milliken;Evan Gravely

Student:

Partner:

United Way Halton and Hamilton

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Other services (except public administration)

University:

McMaster University

Program:

Business Strategy Internship

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Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.