Funding & Eligible Activities
CWCF offers grants up to $4,000 for member organizations to cover specialty consulting services such as marketing, financial administration, governance, expansion, conflict resolution or legal issues, as mutually agreed among the group, the co-op developer/consultant, and CWCF.
Grants for co-op start-ups, co-op conversions, and expansions cover consulting services provided by members of the CoopZone Co-operative Developers’ Network, or by other consultants upon approval.
- Pre-feasibility studies: a preliminary assessment of the viability of your business concept – STRONGLY RECOMMENDED (CWCF can provide a pre-feasibility list of requirements)
- Project plans: a description of the steps required to take your idea from the conceptual stage to the concrete
- By-law development
- In addition, CWCF can assist developing worker co-ops by directing you to other sources of support for business planning and organizational development through CWCF’s Technical Assistance Consultation services.
Given the small amount of funds available, it may not be possible to approve all applications that qualify.
Who Can Apply
Members of CWCF who are worker co-ops or multi-stakeholder co-ops with significant worker control, in operation for minimum one year.
Co-op start-up or conversion groups: If there is not sufficient demand from existing membership, a few grants each year may be allocated to start-up groups working towards incorporation. These groups are required to commit to joining the CWCF upon incorporation. Please contact Kaye Grant to determine availability.
Application Requirements
Technical Assistance grants prioritize eligible co-ops that meets the strategic priorities of CWCF.
CWCF will seek to ensure that grants are allocated fairly over different regions of the country.
Start-up groups that receive Technical Assistance funding are required to commit to CWCF membership for at least two years upon incorporation. See Become a Member on the CWCF website for full membership details.
Please review this information and the application carefully as it will assist you in determining whether or not your co-op or group may be eligible to apply for assistance, and whether or not you find the basic terms and conditions acceptable. You should also review the list of Co-op Developers available on the web site of CoopZone[2] by following this link. (https://coopzone.coop/). It is possible for your co-op to work with other consultants upon approval. Should you choose to submit an application, reviewing this material will also ensure that you are aware of all the information required. Providing all required information the first time will help the CWCF evaluate your request in a timely fashion.
Due to the amount of funds available in this program and the limited administrative resources in CWCF, the application provides the CWCF with preliminary screening of the potential projects. To pass this first stage, your
If you have any questions regarding this information or the application form, please feel free to contact Kaye Grant at communications@canadianworker.coop.
The application form is available below to download as a fillable PDF (please email communications@canadianworker.coop to receive a copy in Word format).
More information about the program
When there is more demand for grants than available, the following criteria are considered: that the value of the grant needs to be demonstrably able to make a difference to the need being addressed, and that we will seek geographic diversity in placing grants. Further, there must be a match between the co-op’s need and the skills/ location of the consultant. CWCF reserves the right to provide funding only to a consultant of its choice.