A Canadian insurance company is offering cash to help implement positive ideas in local communities.
Aviva Canada Inc., recently announced the return of the Aviva Community Fund competition. The fourth year of the competition opens Sept. 24, offering Canadians $1 million to lead, empower and support community initiatives across the country.
“I wanted to make a difference in my community for all children with disabilities, so how could I pass on the opportunity to enter the Aviva Community Fund?” said Kelly Meissner, idea generator behind 2011 fund winner Kate’s Kause. After winning $60,000 Kate’s Kause was able to build a fully accessible playground for the entire Elmira, Ontario community to use.
Canadians can go to AvivaCommunityFund.org to submit ideas that will have a positive effect on their local community. After rallying support from friends, family, neighbours and co-workers, the most popular ideas will have a chance to be funded from a $1 million pool. The twelve winning ideas in 2011 ranged from a bear rescue facility in Smithers, British Columbia, to a creative education youth camp in Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, Quebec, to a skateboard park in Yorkton, Saskatchewan to a senior’s gym in Dundas, Ontario.
Launched in the fall of 2009, the competition has already provided over $2.5 million to 31 charities and community groups.
New to the competition this year, and within the $1 million in funding, is a specific prize of up to $150,000 for Canadian community groups or charities that support homeless and at-risk youth programs. Also within $1 million in funding again this year is up to $150,000 in funding for initiatives specifically supported by insurance brokers. Canadians can access the competition and vote via AvivaCommunityFund.org and Facebook (www.facebook.com/AvivaCommunityFund). Also, for every Like the Aviva Community Fund receives on Facebook, $1 will be donated to a number of charitable partners.
