Co-operatives are investors in the social, environmental, and economic well-being of our communities.
One of the ways we invest in our region is through our Community Giving program! As the Co-op grows, so does our ability to support a wide variety of community initiatives, including prizes, awards, fundraising opportunities, donations, sponsorships, grants (on hold) and more!
Use of Outdoor Area
As you walk into our store, you pass through our outdoor “green space” and our “covered area.” This space can be booked by local and not-for-profit organizations, service groups, schools and community programs for awareness-raising purposes, community fundraisers, or informational and educational purposes of a non-partisan nature. Fill out a request online.
General Donation
Perfect for small, community fundraisers.
Are you involved in a group, school, or non-profit society that is holding a fundraising event in our community? If so, you are welcome to apply for a gift card. This gift card can be used as a door prize or to purchase snacks/refreshments for a reception, food items for a community dinner, or to thank your volunteers.
Requests are granted on a first-come-first-served basis for this program. Please apply with as much advance notice as possible.
How to Apply:
Fill out our Community Giving General Donation Application online here. Please allow at least 10 days for us to process your application and respond to your request.
Sponsorships
Perfect for larger, community-wide events, such as festivals or tournaments.
Are you organizing a large, community event or initiative? Are you a not-for-profit team? If so, you’re welcome to apply for our Co-op to be your sponsor. The Co-op may be able to offer a combination of cash and food such in exchange for advertising and publicity on your promotional materials.
How to Apply:
Fill out the Request for Sponsorship online.
Please allow at least two weeks for us to process your application and respond to your request.
Gift Card Fundraisers
Perfect for schools and organizations with an active membership base and a volunteer able to commit to the financial coordination.
The Gift Card Program offers groups and organizations the opportunity to raise money by selling Co-op Gift Cards. The Kootenay Co-op donates 7% of the purchased card value to the organization.
Deadline for Application: Available year round.
Please allow at least one week for us to process your order.
How to Apply:
Please contact the Kootenay Co-op Outreach Coordinator at community@kootenay.coop to set up your organization’s gift card fundraising account. Please include:
- Name of organization
- Mailing address of organization
- Name of designated contact person(s)
- Contact information including email(s) and phone number(s)
Once your organization is approved, you can place gift card orders on an ongoing basis.
- Please inform us if your staff/volunteer(s) change.
- Please forward a sample of your gift card promotional materials to community@kootenay.coop, where they will be kept on file.
Once your account is set up, order your gift cards online here.
Please note that the minimum order is $500, and the maximum order is $20,000. When you place your request, we’ll send you a confirmation email with a reminder of what you’ll need to pay in order to pick up the cards. Payment must be by cash or cheque and pick-up is at Customer Service.
Grants
The Kootenay Co-op Community Grants Program offers up to $500 for community projects or initiatives that help us towards our Vision: We envision thriving communities with resilient food systems, where all people have access to affordable food that is healthy for our bodies, our communities, and the Earth.
Eligibility:
Community Grants are available to local organizations for community projects, programs or initiatives. Successful applications will include specifics about the project and its impact on our local community, alignment with our Vision, the ability of organizer(s) to complete the project, and how our Co-op’s contribution fits within the overall budget. Organizations and programs can receive a maximum of one Kootenay Co‑op Community Grant per 12-month period. Organizations must acknowledge the Kootenay Co‑op’s contribution in their project materials.
Application Process:
- Complete the Community Grant Application online by the deadline. If you need more space to explain your project, additional materials are welcome at Customer Service or electronically at community@kootenay.coop.
- A committee of Kootenay Co-op staff, Board and members will review applications and make grant awards on a quarterly basis.
Applications Due: May 1st, 2021
Organization of the Month
Each month, we feature a different local group at our tills so that shoppers can make a donation as they check out.
Eligibility:
The Organization of the Month feature is available to any community organization.
Application Process:
- Complete our Organization of the Month Application online before December 1st.
- A committee of Kootenay Co-op staff and members will review applications and set the monthly schedule for the next year.
Applications Due: Annually December 1st for the next year’s schedule
Scholarship
One person can make a difference! The Co-op offers an annual $1000 scholarship for individuals in our community to acquire the knowledge and experience that lead to empowerment and change.
This scholarship is awarded in May for post-secondary education. Priority is given to studies in food & environment, health, community development, and cooperation, but we invite applications from all disciplines within our community. There is no age restriction and all members, their children, staff members, and staff members children are eligible to apply.
How to apply:
Fill out our Kootenay Co-op Member Scholarship application form.
Deadline for Application:
April 25th each year.
Community Donation Day for KOGS
We hold one Community Donation Day each year in support of Kootenay Organic Growers Society (KOGS), where the organization receives 3% of the day’s sales. In 2020 and 2021, this donation has amounted to ~$2,500. This day is a great opportunity to meet our local farmers and find out how organic farming is better for our soil, our water, our wildlife, our farmers and our bodies!
Vitamin Program
Every year, the Kootenay Co-op and our suppliers donate approximately $2,000 worth of vitamins and supplements to local non-profit ANKORS. These vitamins and supplements go to those living with and at the greatest risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS and/or Hepatitis C, and to those who have difficulty obtaining services elsewhere, especially due to substance use, mental illness, sexual orientation, gender identity, race and ethnicity, and/or other social barriers.
Since 2017, we have also partnered with suppliers to donate high-quality prenatal vitamins, kids multivitamins, and vitamin D to Kootenay Kids to help make sure low-income mothers and mothers-to-be embrace nourishing diets for themselves and their little ones.
The Giving Tree
Perfect for organizations that have a seasonal initiative, service or identified need.
Each December, we select one local organization to receive our seasonal Giving Tree donations. This allows our members and shoppers to donate directly to these selected organization by picking a decorative card and ringing it through with their purchases.
Deadline for Application:
October 30th for December’s Giving Tree.
How to Apply:
In September or October, email community@kootenay.coop to express interest in this program.
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