You're at home here.
A New, Member-Led Way of Giving Back
Giving back has always been part of who we are at Dawson Co-op. Now, we’re taking it one step further.
Your Co-op, Your Cause is our new monthly, member-led giving program that puts community investment decisions directly in the hands of our members. Each month, a local organization is featured in our stores, and members help decide where community dollars go through a simple voting process.
This approach allows us to support more organizations throughout the year, strengthen local connections, and make our community giving more transparent, intentional, and impactful.
It’s the Co-op difference in action, guided by our members, rooted in community, and focused on making a meaningful local impact.
Are you part of a local non-profit, charity, or school group?
Applications for Your Co-op, Your Cause are open year-round. We invite eligible organizations to apply and be considered for a future feature month.
[Apply NOW to Your Co-op, Your Cause]
FAQs
What is Your Co-op, Your Cause (YCYC)?
Your Co-op, Your Cause (YCYC) is Dawson Co-op’s monthly, member-driven community giving program. Each month, local organizations are featured in-store and members help decide how community funding is distributed through a simple voting process.
Why did Dawson Co-op create YCYC?
YCYC helps us:
- Support more organizations throughout the year
- Make community giving fair, consistent, and transparent
- Better plan and budget our community investment
- Engage Co-op members directly in choosing where support goes
- Reduce the need for last-minute or ad hoc funding requests
How do we apply?
Applications for YCYC are accepted year-round through Dawson Co-op’s Do Some Good online platform.
Once submitted, eligible organizations are added to the YCYC consideration pool and scheduled into a future month as space allows.
Does applying guarantee funding?
Submitting an application does not guarantee immediate funding or placement in a specific month. However, it does ensure your organization is considered as part of Dawson Co-op’s ongoing community support program.
Who is eligible to participate?
To be considered for YCYC, organizations must:
- Be a registered charity, non-profit, or school group
- Operate within Dawson Co-op’s service area
- Align with Dawson Co-op’s values
- Have at least one Dawson Co-op Member serving on their staff or Board of Directors
What kinds of requests are supported?
YCYC is intended to support:
- Community programs and initiatives
- Local events and activities
- Projects with clear community benefit
YCYC does not typically support:
- Ongoing operating costs (such as salaries)
- Political or religious campaigns (community-focused programs may be considered)
How does the voting work?
Each month:
- Two organizations are featured at the Food Store and two at the Home Centre
- Members who spend $25 or more receive a voting token
- Members vote for the organization they wish to support
Funding is awarded based on votes:
- 1st place: $1,000
- 2nd place: $500
Are we expected to promote our participation?
Yes — and it helps!
Organizations are encouraged to:
- Share their YCYC feature month with supporters
- Encourage members to shop and vote
- Promote participation through social media, email, and word of mouth
Organizations that actively promote their participation often see stronger results.
What if our organization needs support right away?
YCYC is designed for planned, sustainable community support. While most requests will be directed to YCYC, Dawson Co-op may consider exceptional circumstances at Management’s discretion.
Are there programs not covered by YCYC?
Yes. Dawson Co-op continues to support marquee and legacy community events separately through established budgeting and approval processes.
Examples include:
- Rotary Auction
- Dawson Co-op Pancake Breakfast
- Lobsterfest
These initiatives are reviewed outside of YCYC due to their scale and long-standing community impact.
How often can an organization participate?
Organizations may be considered periodically, depending on demand, scheduling, and overall program balance. Our goal is to ensure broad and equitable community representation over time.
Who do we contact if we have questions?
For questions about eligibility, applications, or YCYC in general, please reach out to our Communications & Marketing Manager: Heather Kohler, 250-360-6316