2025 Sustainable Communities Fund Application Opens Sept 1

Applications Open September 1 Through 30

At Prairie North Co-op, sustainability means looking through the lens of the social, economic, and environmental aspects of our business as we plan and make decisions to ensure viable operations while having a positive impact on the people and communities we serve. We recognize that the success of our Co-op and health of our communities are mutually dependent and that is why we have created the Prairie North Co-op Sustainable Communities Fund.

Prairie North Co-op = Community

What is the Prairie North Co-op Sustainable Communities Fund?

Each year our members contribute to our profits through the purchasing decisions that they make every day and because of them we are proud to invest those profits back into the communities that make up Prairie North Co-op. The Prairie North Co-op Sustainable Communities Fund (SCF) is an allocation of funds from our community investment budget to non-profit organizations that support community development. Since its inception in 2021, over $100,000 has been used to fund fifteen different community projects throughout Prairie North Co-op.

The purpose of the SCF is to provide support to capital projects and new programs that will enhance the quality of life for the people in the communities and surrounding region that make up the Prairie North Co-op trading area – Archerwill, Kelvington, Melfort, Naicam, Spalding, and St. Brieux. Applications for project funding will open September 1st and close September 30th. Upon closing, a SCF selection committee will be formed to review the applications and choose which projects will receive funding.

We are Proud. We are Local. We are Co-op.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Funding is to be used to support the development of our communities while reflecting our co-operative values through:
1. Capital projects - build, expand, and/or improve facilities; or
2. New programs - develop and implement new programs that support the people in our communities

Additional eligibility requirements:
• Must be a capital project or a new program
• The project or program must provide long-term, sustainable, positive results for the greatest number of people
• Most of the funds are directly utilized for the project or program, with minimal administrative costs
• While membership at Prairie North Co-op is not a requirement, preference will be given to our members when the final decision must be made between two comparable projects/programs
• The project must be completed within one year of receiving Community Investment funding (receipts and invoices will be required).
• The project or program must be in the trading area of Prairie North Co-op
• The project or program reflects positively on our co-operative, provides the most exposure possible while maintaining Prairie North Co-op’s respected image

NOTE: key players in the project may be asked to co-operate with Prairie North Co-op in media opportunities and ideally will involve opportunity for Prairie North Co-op to volunteer.

Service ∙ Integrity ∙ Unity

What is not funded?
• Annual operating costs
• Past debt relating to a project and/or program
• Groups that support political or religious organizations
• Groups promoting racial or social intolerance
• Advocacy organizations whose causes are publicly controversial
• Federal, provincial, or municipal government agencies and school boards
• Individuals or profit-based organizations
• Third-party fundraising campaigns
• Privately owned ventures and/or private clubs
• Professional or technical associations
• Fraternal organizations
• Competitive sports travel and accommodation costs
• Projects outside of Prairie North Co-op’s trading area
• Conferences
• Endowments

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?
The application form will be available online from September 1st through September 30th each year. Like and follow us on Facebook for a link to the application on our website.

What is community and economic development?
Projects or programs that provide infrastructure such as community parks, new school programs and facilities, public libraries, swimming pools, hospitals (healthcare) and enhancing our public safety through fire and police services. These are a few examples of services that would improve the quality of living for people in their community.

Does our community group need to fundraise on our own prior to apply for Sustainable Communities Funding?
This is not a requirement.

How does the Sustainable Communities Fund Differ from the Community Support Fund?
Each year we allocate .1% of sales to Community Investment. The Community Investment funds are distributed through:
• Community Support Fund - donation, fundraising, sponsorship, and support requests under $3,000 that are received, approved, and distributed throughout the year
• Sustainable Communities Fund - sponsorship requests for special projects and new programs that are a minimum of $3,000 and a maximum of $15,000; applications received in September and awarded in October

• Other Community Support Opportunities:
o Fundraising Events - in-kind donations of merchandise and/or food (i.e. charity bbqs)
o Gift Card fundraising - provides non-profit groups an opportunity to raise funds from their group member’s everyday purchases of vehicle fuel, groceries, and hardware by purchasing Co-op gift cards at a discounted fee and offering them for sale at face value.

How are the applications reviewed/awarded?
• Step 1 - all applications received will be reviewed for completeness and to ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements set out above
• Step 2 - all complete applications that meet the eligibility requirements of the SCF will be distributed electronically to the members of the selection committee. A point system based on the eligibility criteria will be used to evaluate each application
• Step 3 - the selection committee will meet to discuss and decide on those applications that best fit the criteria for funding
• Step 4 – the successful applications will be notified during Co-op week each year (third week of October)

Who do I contact for more information?
Terri Larsen, Marketing and Communications Manager
Prairie North Co-op
T: 306.527.4792 E: Terri.Larsen@prairienorth.crs

Locally invested. Community-minded. Lifetime membership benefits.

About Prairie North Co-op

Prairie North Co-op operates out of 24 locations – from St. Brieux, Spalding and Naicam in the west; to Melfort in the north; and Archerwill and Kelvington in the east. We serve our members with products and services that help build, feed, fuel and grow the communities in which we live and do business.

As a co-operative, we are a different kind of business; we are not only working for our communities, but we are also owned by our community. Co-ops embed sustainability in their business by planning and investing for the long term, with the community and environment in mind; they work to create jobs; and they partner with other organizations and local businesses. Prairie North Co-op profits do not leave the community, they go back into it – and back to our members. We take pride in our community involvement and our commitment to providing quality products and services.

Prairie North Co-op employs 320 and serves 13,426 members. We continue the tradition of giving back through financial support to several local organizations. In 2024, sponsorship and donations totalled $148,295 to over 200 different organizations in our trading area. Locally invested. Community-minded. Lifetime membership benefits. We are Co-op.