--- title: How co-operatives measure up in charitable giving description: How co-operatives measure up in charitable giving --- [![Co-operatives First](https://blog.cooperativesfirst.com/hubfs/CooperativesFirst_December2018%20_Theme/Images/logo.png)](https://cooperativesfirst.com/) - [HOME](https://cooperativesfirst.com/) - [ABOUT US](https://cooperativesfirst.com/about-us/about-us/) - [WHO WE ARE](https://cooperativesfirst.com/about-us/about-us/) - [BOARD OF DIRECTORS](https://cooperativesfirst.com/about-us/board-of-directors/) - [ANNUAL REPORT](https://cooperativesfirst.com/about-us/annual-report/) - [OUR SERVICES](https://cooperativesfirst.com/what-we-do/inspiring-leadership/) - [ONLINE GOVERNANCE COURSE](https://cooperativesfirst.com/governance/) - [CREATING CONNECTIONS WORKSHOP](https://cooperativesfirst.com/workshop/) - [RESOURCE SITE](https://cooperativesfirst.com/what-we-do/resources/) - [INSPIRING LEADERSHIP](https://cooperativesfirst.com/what-we-do/inspiring-leadership/) - [EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES](https://cooperativesfirst.com/what-we-do/exploring-opportunity/) - [CREATING A NEW BUSINESS](https://cooperativesfirst.com/what-we-do/create/) - [HELPING CO-OPS THRIVE](https://cooperativesfirst.com/what-we-do/thrive/) - [WHAT IS A CO-OP](https://cooperativesfirst.com/co-operative-faqs/) - [CONSIDER A CO-OP](https://cooperativesfirst.com/consider-a-co-op/) - [TYPES OF CO-OPERATIVES](https://cooperativesfirst.com/types-of-cooperatives/) - [Co-operative FAQs](https://cooperativesfirst.com/co-operative-faqs/) - [BLOG](https://cooperativesfirst.com/blog/) - [THE COMMON SHARE PODCAST](https://cooperativesfirst.com/common-share-podcast/) - [THE BACKROAD DIARIES](https://thebackroaddiaries.com/) - [CONTACT](https://cooperativesfirst.com/contact/) - [HOME](https://cooperativesfirst.com/) - [ABOUT US](https://cooperativesfirst.com/about-us/about-us/) - [WHO WE ARE](https://cooperativesfirst.com/about-us/about-us/) - [BOARD OF DIRECTORS](https://cooperativesfirst.com/about-us/board-of-directors/) - [ANNUAL REPORT](https://cooperativesfirst.com/about-us/annual-report/) - [OUR SERVICES](https://cooperativesfirst.com/what-we-do/inspiring-leadership/) - [ONLINE GOVERNANCE COURSE](https://cooperativesfirst.com/governance/) - [CREATING CONNECTIONS WORKSHOP](https://cooperativesfirst.com/workshop/) - [RESOURCE SITE](https://cooperativesfirst.com/what-we-do/resources/) - [INSPIRING LEADERSHIP](https://cooperativesfirst.com/what-we-do/inspiring-leadership/) - [EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES](https://cooperativesfirst.com/what-we-do/exploring-opportunity/) - [CREATING A NEW BUSINESS](https://cooperativesfirst.com/what-we-do/create/) - [HELPING CO-OPS THRIVE](https://cooperativesfirst.com/what-we-do/thrive/) - [WHAT IS A CO-OP](https://cooperativesfirst.com/co-operative-faqs/) - [CONSIDER A CO-OP](https://cooperativesfirst.com/consider-a-co-op/) - [TYPES OF CO-OPERATIVES](https://cooperativesfirst.com/types-of-cooperatives/) - [Co-operative FAQs](https://cooperativesfirst.com/co-operative-faqs/) - [BLOG](https://cooperativesfirst.com/blog/) - [THE COMMON SHARE PODCAST](https://cooperativesfirst.com/common-share-podcast/) - [THE BACKROAD DIARIES](https://thebackroaddiaries.com/) - [CONTACT](https://cooperativesfirst.com/contact/) December 05, 2017 • Kyle White ## How co-operatives measure up in charitable giving [Giving Tuesday](https://www.givingtuesday.org/) is a global charitable giving event that takes place every year just after American Thanksgiving. This year the project collected over 1.64 million gifts and $177 million from 98 countries — a pretty impressive feat for a single day. The event is a great reminder of what people can accomplish by working together. At this time of year, donations tend to be at their peak. We thought we’d have a look at how co-operatives measure up on charitable giving. ## Corporate giving in Canada For many Canadian businesses, charitable giving is a staple for corporate-social responsibility, and many of us are more inclined to support brands we consider to be good corporate citizens. According to [Imagine Canada](http://www.imaginecanada.ca/who-we-are), corporate [charitable giving has been on a steady increase since the 1960s](http://www.imaginecanada.ca/sites/default/files/www/en/partnershipforum/ayer_en_june2011.pdf). Corporate donations increased by an astonishing 581% between 1990 and 2009, and over 75% of businesses donate to charities. The dollar figure is equally impressive. Canadian businesses contribute [nearly $3 billion](http://sectorsource.ca/managing-organization/fundraising/corporate-giving) in donations, grants and sponsorship to the charitable sector in Canada (2008). [![consider-a-coop](https://blog.cooperativesfirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/CF_WebBanner_728x80_02-3.gif?width=728&height=90&name=CF_WebBanner_728x80_02-3.gif)](https://cooperativesfirst.com/consider-a-co-op/) ## Where do big co-operatives fit in Co-operatives are among the leaders in charitable giving in Canada. Of the 75 businesses that signed on to [Imagine Canada’s Caring Company Program](http://www.imaginecanada.ca/our-programs/caring-company-program) – “Caring Companies” donate a minimum of 1% of their pre-tax profits – 12 were co-operatives or credit unions. Larger co-operatives, of course, tend to have a bigger impact. Here are some examples: - The [Co-operators](https://www.cooperators.ca/en/About-Us/foundation.aspx) donated over $7.5 million in 2016 (or 4.1% of pre-tax profits). - The Co-operative Retailing System donates $2 million annually through the [Co-op Community Spaces Program](http://crs.coopconnection.ca/communityspaces.html). - [Mountain Equipment Co-op](https://www.mec.ca/media/Images/pdf/annualreport/MEC_2014_Annual_Report_v2_m56577569836365900.pdf) donated $3.26 million in 2014 and is a leader in environmental sustainability initiatives. - [Federated Co-operatives Ltd.](https://www.fcl.crs/our-business/overview) donated $9.8 million in 2016, and actively encourages its 2100-strong staff to volunteer in community organizations through their community builders program. The impacts of this charitable giving range from [returning bison to Wanuskewin](https://globalnews.ca/news/3271375/federated-co-op-makes-1m-donation-to-wanuskewin-heritage-park/) to [rebuilding local play structures](https://youtu.be/8iLCH1BK7yI) and [youth leadership training](http://www.impactleaders.ca/funding) to [saving salmon habitats](https://www.mec.ca/media/Images/pdf/annualreport/MEC_2014_Annual_Report_v2_m56577569836365900.pdf). And all of us are the beneficiaries in different ways. ## Credit unions are all about giving Financial institutions in the credit union sector are also leaders in giving back to the communities they serve. According to the [Canadian Credit Union Association](https://ccua.com/~/media/CCUA/member_corner/publications/pdfs/2017_CEIR_FF.PDF?la=en), Canada’s 275 credit unions and caisses populaires contributed $55.9 million in 2016. These donations include sponsorships, scholarships and bursaries, in-kind contributions, support through foundations, endowment funds, financial service, and cash donations. The contributions represent an average of 5.4% of credit union’s pre-tax income. Banks, on average, donate less than 1% ([CCUA, p8](https://ccua.com/~/media/CCUA/member_corner/publications/pdfs/2017_CEIR_FF.PDF?la=en)). [![](https://blog.cooperativesfirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/governance-course-1.gif?width=728&height=90&name=governance-course-1.gif)](https://cooperativesfirst.com/governance/) ## Smaller, local co-operatives give too Most smaller co-operatives help ensure profits remain local and are returned to shareholders through patronage or invested in a way that benefits the local economy and community. But these co-operatives are also great partners for local charities and non-profits. In Regina, Saskatchewan, the local co-operative association Sherwood Co-op has [a strong relationship](http://www.sherwoodco-op.com/wps/portal/crs/sherwood/aboutus/inthecommunity) with the Regina and District Food Bank, and they regularly host or contribute to events that support this charity. Here’s a few examples: - “[Fuel up to feed](https://www.facebook.com/325686640903115/videos/952998114838628/)” commits $0.10 for every litre of fuel sold in one day (usually in Oct). Since it was introduced in 2013, the campaign has raised almost $200,000 for the Food Bank. - “[Pack the Cruiser](https://globalnews.ca/video/2502401/regina-pack-the-cruiser)” has raised nearly 10,000 lbs of food in partnership with the Regina Policy and RCMP. - Through the Community Spaces program (CRS supported), they provided the Food Bank with a grant for $100,000 to build the “[Co-op Community Greenhouse](http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/regina-food-bank-growing-food-greenhouse-1.3963690),” which produces food year-round for the charity. - They also support the “Virtual Food Drive.” The [Virtual Food Drive](https://reginafoodbank.ca/virtual-food-drive/holiday-virtual-food-drive/) allows individuals to donate food on the Food Bank’s website, which is delivered by the co-operative. ## The impacts are beyond calculation While we can calculate the numbers — and many are pretty impressive — the combined impacts of co-operative, small business, and corporate charitable giving to local communities and charities is probably impossible to measure. Add to that the approximately $7 billion more that individual Canadians give each year and that's a fair amount of impact from a population of 38 million. The continued growth in charitable giving has been a key factor in building community strength and we hope to see it continue into future. If your charity or non-profit is looking for sponsorship or support, consider approaching your local co-op. Co-ops have a strong track record of giving and supporting community building programs and projects. ## Stay in the know. Sign up for our monthly newsletter. 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