The Co-operative Retailing System (CRS) is a network ofover 170 member retail co-ops across Western Canada. Co-op Community Spaces is funding projects on behalf of co-ops across the CRS, to create spaces where people can come together. Since 2015, 115 projects have been supported with $8.5 million dollars in capital funding.
The purpose of the Co-op Community Spaces Program is to improve community health and well-being by building places for Western Canadians to come together and build social connections. Three funding areas have been selected to ensure the program achieves its core objectives of enabling community development and bringing people together.
Applicants eligible for funding include:
Registered charities under the Canada Revenue Agency with valid registration numbers
Registered non-profit organizations under their provincial government with proof of registration (e.g. letters of incorporation)
Non-profit organizations partnered with their municipal government who will accept funding and issue receipts on their behalf
Community service co-operatives
Projects eligible for funding must:
Be available and accessible for community use
Align with one of the three funding categories (recreation, environmental conservation or urban agriculture)
Be completed within two years
Be a capital project
Be located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba
Provide the opportunity for permanent signage
