Article Contents
May 2, 2016
Co-op recently proved the depth of its dedication to improving community spaces by surprising shoppers in an urban shopping mall with a pop-up park. See the transformation and reactions at bit.ly/1SG5oo8.
Now Co-op is helping others to celebrate and better the spaces they love.
Through a new contest, western Canadians have a chance to win $1,000 by nominating the important spaces in their communities. Co-op will donate up to $25,000 to enhance the spaces nominated by winners. Entries will be accepted at www.communityspaces.ca until May 31, 2016.
Enhancing communities
The contest highlights the support that Co-op is providing to communities across Western Canada through its Community Spaces funding program, which gives up to $1.5 million to local organizations to help protect, beautify and improve spaces. Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) administers the Co-op Community Spaces program on behalf of more than 200 independent retail co-operatives that form the Co-operative Retailing System.
“Community spaces are where we come together to meet, play, learn and share — these places make a big impact within a community,” said Natasha Ford, Social Responsibility Manager with FCL.
“These environments enrich our lives and the Co-op Community Spaces program is proud to support the people and organizations behind them.”
Co-op Community Spaces is already making a difference across Western Canada. Last year, the program supported 16 organizations with a total of $1 million.
For updates on these projects — which include a community garden, school courtyard and children’s play centre — as well as the upcoming announcement of 2016 funding recipients in June, see www.communityspaces.ca.