Social impact

Supporting good people building a better world

We contribute to a rich array of community organizations that are building environmental resilience, enriching social wellness, creating a more inclusive economy and championing a co-operative society. Taken together, these are key dimensions of more resilient communities, and they comprise what we call our social impact framework.

Learn more about how we make a positive social impact (pdf)

“Co-operators understands the importance of flexible and trust-based funding to non-profits doing meaningful work and facilitating resilience.“

Char San Pedro, Founder & Executive Director, GOOD TO BE GOOD

Working together to build a solidarity economy

Solid State Community Industries is focused on empowering underserved youth, predominantly from racialized backgrounds, to develop culturally-appropriate co-operative solutions that help to address un-met or ill-met needs within their community. Our multi-year funding is supporting Solid State and its participants, with the goal of launching nine new co-ops over the next three years. Since 2017, over 20 co-ops have emerged through Solid State’s efforts.

We invest in communities

$10.6 million contributed in community investments

 

Environmental resilience

Our partnerships help communities invest in environmental resilience, build risk literacy, and adapt to climate change.

 

Climate adaptation

We’re partnered with ICLEI Canada and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction to help Canadian municipalities identify risks, needs and opportunities around climate-resilient infrastructure.
$500,000 in funding to reduce flood-risk vulnerabilities in our communities through the University of Waterloo’s Partners for Action research group.

 

Social wellness

We promote the social well-being and health of Canadians, with a focus on mental and physical wellness for youth.

239,000 youth engaged in online support forums through the Kids Help Phone Peer Support Program.
15,955 youth

completed Jack.org’s Be There Certificate, a self-guided online course that teaches young people how to help a peer who may be struggling with mental health challenges.


Inclusive economy

We’re committed to building a more inclusive economy by supporting young, marginalized Canadians and people with mental health challenges as they build their financial security.

$900,000 disbursed to charities, non-profits and co-operatives through Co-operators Community Funds.

 

Championing a co-operative society

We support the co-operative sector in Canada and globally

$2.5 million

contributed to the development and advancement of the Canadian co-operative sector.

$500,000

contributed to 36 emerging and expanding Canadian co-ops through our Co-operative Development Program.

Inspiring the next generation of co‑op leaders

As part of our Pathways to Employability initiative of Co-operators Community Funds, we launched the Co-operators Young Leaders Award in 2021. This development and award program recognizes young changemakers from 18 to 35 who are involved in the co-operatives and mutuals sector in Canada.

“This award has allowed me to grow as an engaged member of the co-operative community. Not only was I able to learn from experts in the sector, but I could connect and engage with knowledgeable and motivated youth looking to create more opportunities in the sector and the co-op movement at large.“

Marla Gagnier, BC Co-operative Association, 2022 Co-operators Young Leader Award Winner