Applications are now being accepted until March 1st for the Co-op Community Spaces Program put on by Federated Co-operatives Limited.
FCL says community groups may apply for funding between $25,000 and $150,000 to assist in the areas of recreation, environmental conservation programs and urban agriculture projects.
Director of Marketing and Community Relations Kristine Knourek with the Lloydminster Co-operative notes that while the local co-operative has no say in the final outcome, a couple groups in our area have benefitted in the recent past. The grants assisted upgrades to the Armstrong Field running track at Lloydminster Comprehensive via the Saskatchewan Summer Games, and the community of Golden Valley which is along Township Road 619 off Highway 17 South.
“They have a small community centre just south of Lloydminster, where they host pot-lucks and events and birthday parties and special gatherings for residents who live out in that area. They actually received $26,000 for renovation funding to help upgrades at the Golden valley community centre.”
Knourek shares the importance of this support for community groups.
“It means there is an opportunity if they meet the eligibility for them to apply for funding through this Co-op Community Spaces programming. The decisions are not made here in Lloyd, but we have been so fortunate in the past. We would certainly encourage any local non-profits to put their name forward if they meet the eligibility requirements.”
FCL says this year one million dollars is available to support community projects in the three categories. The deadline to apply is March 1st.
Since 2015, FCL grants have assisted communities from British Columbia to Manitoba with over $10 million in funding for 147 projects.
Application details can be found on their website.