The Gay Lea Foundation accepts funding applications from registered Canadian charities working toward the relief of poverty, advancement of education and purposes beneficial to communities in Canada and around the world.
Applications are considered based on merit, under the categories listed below, with preference given to organizations that serve agricultural or rural communities and/or whose mission and values reflect the seven principles of co-operation.
Please note that the Foundation does not accept requests for products. All product requests must be directed to Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd.
This category includes programs or projects that address income improvement or enhance the human condition, such as meal provision, food and/or clothing distribution, temporary housing (such as emergency shelters, homeless shelters, and expectant mothers’ and women’s shelters), and permanent housing (such as low-cost units).
This funding category includes: programs offering agricultural and/or co-operative development or training; formal education centres, such as colleges, universities and research institutes; after-school programs to improve academic achievement, or increase awareness of bullying, stigma or discrimination; training in co-operation, team-building and conflict resolution; development or promotion of links and partnerships between school, home and community, and; education and training in financial literacy.
This funding category includes: Infrastructure projects such as animal shelters, community centres, health care facilities, libraries, museums, public parks and recreation spaces whose mission and values reflect the seven principles of co-operation; Support services for families with kids or adults with disabilities or mental health challenges, (including devices, therapy, mobility, accessibility and medical equipment); Counselling for families, individuals, victims of violence and/or abuse; Community safety programs such as volunteer fire departments or emergency services; Initiatives and events that foster close–knit communities, and/or rural sustainability and development; Programs that foster healthy families, including youth-at-risk, play groups.
The Gay Lea Foundation Board of Directors meets twice a year to consider applications and monitor the progress of the projects it has supported.
Spring funding applications are due midnight on the 10th day of March
and
Fall funding applications are due midnight on the 10th day of September
Responses generally provided within 4 weeks of each application deadline.
Applications may be emailed to foundation@gayleafoods.com.
Download the application