The National Office, which was founded in 1939, is located in Ottawa, Ontario. As the national organization, United Way of Canada-Centraide represents local United Ways and Centraides within Canada's voluntary sector, internationally and provides services such as leadership training and education opportunities. The national organization convenes local United Ways-Centraides on a yearly basis at its annual conference, for the purposes of professional development training, the sharing of best practices and learning from leading thinkers