United Way Ottawa took a big step toward a major cultural shift in the social sector Wednesday with the announcement of $6 million in funding to local agencies based on an open competition for dollars.In the past the United Way had member agencies, which could usually count on program funding year to year.

In the coming year, there will be support for 115 programs at 70 agencies, with 24 of the programs new to the United Way. That leaves about 55 other programs at more than 37 agencies facing funding cuts, although the United Way said every agency received some reduced funding to ease the transition to zero. The transition funding ranges from $1,700 for Autism Ontario's Ottawa Chapter to $46,000 for Citizen Advocacy of Ottawa, which has received United Way support for decades. Other agencies losing program funding include the City for All Women Initiative, Co-operative des ainés francophones (CAFEO), Planned Parenthood Ottawa and Leadership Ottawa.

"Donors want to know, what difference is their investment making?" said Michael Allen, president of United Way Ottawa.

It's basically a no-lose proposition for government.

It's really the perfect tool for these tight fiscal times where so many core services are also being cut.