COVID Fund

On June 2, 2020, OCA launched an funding opportunity to our members to help them adapt and rebuild from COVID-19.

COVID-19 has disrupted the economy for all of Ontario’s citizens and has forced many businesses, including co-operative enterprises, to temporarily shut down or scale down. OCA reached out to our members, and has heard from many that the government has large scale supports in place for many of the macro issues, but it is the micro, relatively small cost but big impact expenditures, that are not covered. These include:

  • Money for PPE and other modifications required for social distancing measures as co-operatives re-open;
  • Online learning for employees so co-operative businesses can adapt or pivot their business plans to the post-pandemic economy and the new business opportunities that may arise;
  • New technology costs for businesses that may need to move to online sales, require team management software or need an online solution to manage sales and member communications; and
  • Housing co-operatives with adaptations needed to meet member needs for social distancing, recreation or other supports related to COVID-19.

Thanks to a successful application to The Co-operators' “COVID-19 Co-operative Assistance Fund,” OCA was able to offer its members the opportunity to apply for up to $1,000 to address the issues noted above, or any additional expenses required to rebuild or adapt their businesses after COVID-19. 

In addition, OCA is offering our experience in member relations management, business planning, online learning and other co-operative supports where applicable, to those who apply at no additional cost, to ensure that our co-operatives successfully adapt to the post COVID-19 world. The other work OCA will continue do behind the scenes, is to connect co-operatives with other co-operative businesses and community supports to help rebuild or adapt their business plans.

The application deadline was June 30 and was only available to OCA members and MOMOs (Members of Member-Owners). Applications are now closed.

Contact Jennifer Ross with your inquiries using the Chat box feature, by email at [email protected] or at 519.763.8271 x. 22.