It’s time to vote for your favorite
community project!
As a member-owner, you have the power to decide which project will be awarded the $50,000 Co-op Next 80
Community Impact Grant. Voting is only open to North Central Co-op member-owners, so be sure to know your
Co-op member number.
Thanks for your vote!
Stay tuned! The winning project will be announced during Co-op Week (October 11th - 17th).
U of A Dinosaur Exhibit
Help us fund an exciting dinosaur exhibition at the new University of Alberta Gallery.
The University of Alberta Kenneth and Sandra Wong Gallery is opening in March 2027 and is hoping to showcase as its second exhibit the dinosaur fossils collection from the UofA’s very own archives.
The UofA is home to the largest academic network in Canada with many experts in paleontology and a leading dinosaur fossil collection. The focus of this project is to launch this exhibition in the new museum and provide free access for everyone.
Supporting student development, discovery, and learning this one in a generation project will open the door to community access to 10 million items!
Funding this project will help with design, set up and execution of launching the exhibition in the museum.
Change Health Alberta Greenhouse Project
A 100-ft community geothermal greenhouse at CHANGE Centre growing food, skills and belonging year-round.
With roughly 1 in 4 households in Alberta facing food insecurity, the CHANGE Centre’s Geothermal greenhouse will grow fresh produce year-round. Newcomers and refugee farmers will receive on-hands training and the greenhouse will serve as a demonstration site for regenerative, climate-resilient growing that other communities may replicate.
The CHANGE Centre currently brings together youth and families for health and outdoor programming, however year-round food production is unavailable due to the Alberta winter climate.
Funding this project will allow for investment into a thermal greenhouse that will support year-round farming, turning an underused rural asset into a working food source for newcomer farmers, camp participants and the surrounding communities.
Zebra Centre Snack Program
Strengthening the Zebra’s Snack Program for Kids who have been hurt.
Everything in the Zebra Centre is child-friendly and trauma informed. They are hoping to strengthen their snack program, in hopes to better support the children and youth who access their support services.
The children who access the Zebra Centre services have experienced trauma in varying forms. The goal of the center is to provide a safe space for children and youth as they navigate investigations, the justice system and healing.
The upgraded snack shack program will be a permanent fixture within the centre, providing comfort and care while the kids are in the centre.
Funding this project will provide snacks to the centre for a whole year and in turn allowing for existing funds to be reallocated to much needed programming support for families.
Earn an additional vote!
Member-owners can earn additional votes when they make any in-store purchase of $25 or more during the
voting period.
Vote now!
Each member-owner receives one vote. Check your email for a special code! Additional votes can be earned
with every $25 spent in-store (up to 4 per purchase) during the voting period. Voting takes place from September
17th to October 7th. The winning project will be announced during Co-op Week (October 11th - 17th).
Enter your Co-op Member-Owner Number
About the Grant
The Co-op Next 80 is a community-focused grant ready to support local initiatives that align with North Central Co-op’s values and community investment goals.
Strong communities are built by people who identify needs, create opportunities, and bring positive change to those around them. Through this initiative, we are looking to support projects that make a meaningful difference in our community and enhance the quality of life for residents and leave lasting impact.
Three projects meeting the submission requirements will be shortlisted. North Central Co-op member-owners will participate in a community vote to select the winning initiative.
Healing Tummies at the Zebra Centre
The University of Alberta Kenneth and Sandra Wong Gallery is opening in March 2027 and is hoping to showcase as its second exhibit the dinosaur fossils collection from the UofA’s very own archives.
Supporting student development, discovery, and learning this one in a generation project will open the door to community access to 10 million items!