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Greener Co-op Microgrants

Housing co-ops are encouraged to design and implement projects that will help green their communities. CHF Canada will fund small projects from $1,000 to a limit of $5,000. All CHF Canada member housing co-ops can apply.

Greener Co-op Microgrants

 

Why a Greener Co-op Microgrant?

These small grants support projects that help protect the environment.

Who can apply?

Any housing co-op that is a member of CHF Canada can apply.

How much are the grants?

CHF Canada accepts grant requests for $1,000 to $5,000. The grant request must be for projects that improve environmental sustainability and reduce climate change impacts.

What are some examples of projects the Greener Co-op Microgrant will fund?

  • composting, community gardens, rain barrels
  • planting trees
  • safe and secure bike and carrier storage
  • lighting upgrades
  • EV charging stations
  • viability studies for projects like roof gardens or grey-water harvesting
  • Clean energy initiatives

We are looking for creative projects that will inspire housing co-ops and lead to better results in environmental sustainability. 

If you have an idea for a project but aren’t sure if it’s a good fit, send us an email and we can discuss whether it meets the microgrant’s objectives.

CHF Canada recently held an online info session. Want to watch a recording? Email info@chfcanada.coop. 

How do I apply?

2024 applications are now closed.

 

Questions?

Julie LaPalme
info@chfcanada.coop

Sponsorship

If your organization has a focus on sustainability, help us expand our Greener Co-op Microgrant Program. Consider becoming a sponsor so that more co-ops across Canada can become more energy efficient, climate resilient and greener!

Thank you to our sponsors!

 

 

More FAQs below

 

Will all qualified applicants get a grant?

Funds are limited and will be distributed according to quality of applications, geographic representation, size and variety of projects. Housing co-ops leveraging additional funds and/or forming partnerships with other partners and suppliers will be given special consideration.

Co-ops that have adopted an environmental sustainability policy will receive extra points during the selection process.  Please note, capacity to deliver the project is considered as part of the selection process. Past recipients who have demonstrated insufficient capacity to deliver project(s) and/or fulfil the requirements will score low on this criterion.  Incomplete and late applications will not be considered.

What does the grant cover?

  • materials, supplies and equipment
  • contractor or consultant fees

What isn’t covered?

  • members’ labour
  • co-op staff wages
  • normal co-op operating costs
  • ongoing costs associated with maintaining the project after completion 

How long do you have to complete your project?

How long do you have to complete your project?

This depends on the size and complexity of your project. However, all funds must be spent within 20243 and project invoices and payment requests sent by November 8, 2024.  Note that your grant funds will not be sent to you until your project is completed and you have met all the grant funding requirements, so please keep this in mind when estimating the project’s completion date. 

When will you get the money?

You will receive a single payment after you submit receipts and a final project report. The deadline for submitting reports and receipts is November 8, 2024.

Co-ops that do not submit reports and receipts on time may jeopardize their eligibility for future funding.

What are the reporting requirements?

When your project is done, send us a final report of no more than one page. Tell us what you did, who did them, things you learned, and how your co-op benefitted from this initiative. Send us a summarized list of the actual costs and include copies of receipts that correspond to the summarized list. Also send us before, during and after pictures of your project in jpeg format. Submit the report and receipts no later than November 8, 2024. 

Housing co-ops not submitting receipts on time will not be refunded. Please include the word Microgrant and the name of your housing co-op in the subject line. Co-ops that do not submit reports and receipts on time may jeopardize their eligibility for future year funding.

You will receive payment two to three weeks after we receive your project’s final report and receipts.

When will you know if your application has been approved?

Approvals will be announced up to six weeks following the submission deadline. We will send an email to the co-op manager and project lead and a commitment letter for you to sign and return by email.

Ongoing maintenance

This is a one-time-only grant so ongoing costs won’t be funded. Once your project is complete, any ongoing costs must be accounted for in the housing co-op’s operating budget, so please consider this when you make your proposal.

  • Will there be ongoing costs?
  • What annual upkeep, if any, is needed?
  • Who will look after the project on an ongoing basis?

For example, after the grant has been used in Year One to get a community garden up and running, the garden will still require new plantings every year, as well as regular watering and weeding during the growing season. The housing co-op will include the cost of seeds and plants in the operating budget and members will do the work. By Year Five wooden fencing and raised beds will likely need to be replaced or repaired. The cost of this work should be considered a capital project and the responsibility of the housing co-op.

When will you know if your application has been approved?

You can expect an answer from us up to six weeks following the submission deadline. We will send an email to the co-op manager and project lead and a commitment letter for you to sign and return by email.