Co-operators Community Funds

Through Co-operators Community Funds, we support organizations whose programming and services empower underserved youth (aged 16 – 34) and individuals with mental health challenges to progress along their path toward employability. Since the funds' inception in 1995, we have disbursed $9.86 million to 219 organizations.

2022 initiatives

In 2022, we granted a total of $900,000 to 42 organizations across Canada that are providing employment training and employment opportunities to underserved youth and individuals with mental health challenges, helping them build capacity for self-reliance.

In addition to grant-making, invested assets within Co-operators Community Funds investment portfolio continue to be leveraged in ways that generate positive social and environmental benefit. Approximately 74% of invested assets are in impact investments, transition investments and smaller-scale community-impact investments, contributing to positive social and environmental outcomes and achieving positive financial returns.

Organizations we supported in 2022

Download our 2022 Annual Report to learn about the organizations we funded in 2022.

Each year, we produce a video to showcase the types of impactful programming Co-operators Community Funds support. Check out our most recent video, which features Solid State Community Industries. Based in Surrey, BC, Solid State supports underserved youth from racialized backgrounds in gaining valuable employability-related skills. Specifically, their programming focuses on helping youth develop and launch their own culturally informed co-operative enterprises, which in turn help to address unmet needs in their local communities.

Grant Application rounds

2023 and 2024

• The application period for the spring 2023 funding round is now complete.
• Fall 2023 funding round: Applications are due September 1, 2023 by 11:59 p.m. (ET). Please note that this will be an invitation-only funding round.
• Spring 2024 funding round applications will be handed out starting October 16, 2023. Applications are due January 15, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. (ET).

If your organization is interested in applying for an upcoming funding round or would like to request more information, please email us.

Is your organization a registered co-operative?

To learn more about our unique Co-op Impact Program, specifically geared to small and medium-sized co-operatives registered in Canada, click here.