Jun 2, 2025

Gay Lea Foundation celebrates the International Year of Co-operatives with more than $1 million in community impact grants

Spring 2025 grants announced to support health, agriculture, and community well-being projects across Canada and internationally

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – June 2, 2025 – In recognition of the United Nations’ International Year of Co-operatives, the Gay Lea Foundation is proud to announce more than $1 million in charitable grants in 2025, to support innovative projects that strengthen communities across Canada and beyond.

Today, the Gay Lea Foundation announced $590,000 in grants awarded in its spring application cycle. These grants underscore the Foundation’s deep-rooted commitment to the co-operative principle of “concern for community” by investing in impactful initiatives promoting education, health, wellness, poverty relief and sustainable agriculture.

“Our increased grant funding this year reflects the spirit of the International Year of Co-operatives and exemplifies how cooperative values can drive real change in communities at home and abroad,” said DeeDee Bekkers, chair of the Gay Lea Foundation and member of the Gay Lea Foods board of directors. “By supporting these diverse and inspiring organizations, we celebrate the power of co-operation to build healthier, stronger, and more resilient communities.”

Spring 2025 Grant Recipients

Community Well-Being Grants

Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation, Campbellford, ON – $100,000

Winnipeg Central Park Women’s Resource Centre, Winnipeg, MB – $50,000

Huron Perth Agricultural Science Centre, Listowel, ON – $50,000

South Coast Wellness, Simcoe, ON – $40,000

Start2Finish Canada, National – $25,000

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation, Hamilton, ON – $25,000

Lakeside Hope House, Guelph, ON – $15,000

Durham Hospital Foundation, Durham, ON – $10,000

4-H Alberta, Alberta – $10,000

Ontario Agri-Food Education, Ontario – $10,550

St. Andrew’s Pantry, Cambridge, ON – $10,000

Christie Refugee Welcome Centre, Toronto, ON – $7,500

Seed to Feed, British Columbia – $7,500

Sustainable Agriculture Grants

Veterinarians Without Borders, Kenya – $50,000

Artistri Sud, Malawi and Uganda – $25,000

Rooftops Canada Foundation, Kenya – $25,000

Tearfund Canada, Kenya – $25,000

All Nations International Development Agency, Liberia – $20,000

International Needs Canada, Zambia – $20,000

Canada-Africa Community Health Alliance, Tanzania – $15,000

Kenyan Kids Foundation, Kenya – $50,000

Fall funding round

This fall, the Gay Lea Foundation will award an additional $500,000 in charitable grants, bringing its total giving for the year to more than $1 million. Applications are open now through July 4, 2025. Eligible charities and community organizations are encouraged to apply for funding to support lasting, positive change in communities. For full program details and to apply, visit www.gaylea.com/foundation.

Since 2014, the Gay Lea Foundation has awarded over $3.1 million to more than 170 registered charities, embracing cooperative principles and fostering grassroots change in communities worldwide.

ABOUT THE GAY LEA FOUNDATION

Founded in 2014 and funded by Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd. and its members, the Gay Lea Foundation supports community and agricultural initiatives through its Community Impact Grants program. The Foundation funds projects that build community capabilities and addresses key needs in education, health, poverty relief, and sustainable agriculture, creating lasting, positive change in communities locally and globally. For more information, please visit gaylea.com/foundation.

ABOUT GAY LEA FOODS CO-OPERATIVE LTD.

Gay Lea Foods is a leading Canadian dairy co-operative renowned for producing high-quality, nutritious dairy products that Canadian families love and trust. From farm to table, our 1,200 farmer members in Ontario and Manitoba, and more than 1,400 employees across four provinces, work together to nourish communities through award-winning brands including Gay Lea, Nordica, Salerno, Bothwell Cheese, and more. As part of its deeply rooted, balanced commitment to people, profit, and planet, Gay Lea Foods proudly invests one percent of pre-tax earnings back into Canadian communities through a national food security partnership with Second Harvest, and the community-building efforts of the Gay Lea Foundation. To learn more, visit gayleafoods.com.

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Media Contact: 

Robin Redstone, Director, Communications

communications@gayleafoods.com

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