CENTRAL ALBERTA CO-OP MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FUND

What is the Mental Health Support Fund?

The Mental Health Support Fund, supported by Communities in Mind, is a collaborative initiative launched in 2020 to address growing mental health needs in rural Alberta. Each February, five Alberta Co-ops — New Horizon Co-op, Central Alberta Co-op, Cornerstone Co-op, South Country Co-op, and Westview Co-op, join forces for a province-wide campaign to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and fund programs that create meaningful mental health outcomes. Through in-store till donations and community engagement, the campaign has raised nearly $300,000 since its inception, with all funds distributed locally each year within each Co-op’s trading area.

Campaign Period:

From February 9th to February 23rd, all New Horizon Co-op locations will be collecting at the till. When you make a donation, you will receive a heart to write your name on, and these will be displayed at each location.

Application Period:

The Communities in Mind application opens annually on April 1 and remains open until funds are fully disbursed. All submissions are carefully reviewed and evaluated by the Central Alberta Co-op Marketing Team to ensure alignment with our commitment to supporting mental health initiatives in local communities.

During the application period, click here to apply! Central Alberta Co-op Mental Health Fund

Our funding priority areas include:

💜Mental Health Programs and Initiatives
Provide hands-on tools and resources for community members (individuals and families), including workshops and programs, opportunities that support community engagement, and coping tools
💜Education and Awareness
Reconnect with the local community to help increase awareness of programs and engage with community members so that they feel more knowledgeable about accessing services and mental health care.
💜Community Support
💜Prevention and Early Intervention — focusing on children and youth

Who is Eligible for Support?

✅ Registered non-profit or charitable organizations
✅ Community and youth groups
✅ Project that supports services, development of new programs and reach out to more individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges.
✅ Organizations operating within New Horizon Co-op’s trading area

Funds Are NOT to be Used For:

❌ Annual operating costs
❌ Physical items or facility enhancements such as tables, chairs, light bulbs, artwork etc.

Examples of Previously Funded Programs

➜ Move Your Mood — Red Deer

➜C.A.R.E. (Community Access & Recovery Expansion — Red Deer

If your organization or group could use the funds from this community campaign, please fill out the application form.

Note: The amount of funding that Central Alberta Co-op will have to distribute in 2026 will depend on the amount raised by till donations, which will be collected from all Central Alberta Co-op sites from February 9th to 23rd, 2026