Gay Lea Foundation announces $1 million in community impact grants
Who: Gay Lea Foundation
What: In recognition of the United Nations’ International Year of Co-operatives, the Gay Lea Foundation has announced more than $1 million in charitable grants in 2025.
Funding will 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.
“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, in a press release. “By supporting these diverse and inspiring organizations, we celebrate the power of co-operation to build healthier, stronger, and more resilient communities.”
This fall, the 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.
See the spring 2025 grant recipients below:
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
