Awards, Grants & Scholarships
Each year, CHF Canada celebrates and supports housing co-operatives and housing co-op members through grants, awards and scholarships!
Awards
Co-op Housing Champion Award
Celebrates a remarkable individual whose presence, efforts and community spirit have helped make their co-op and neighbourhood a better place to live.
Eligibility
An individual living in a housing co-ops who:
- Lifts up their neighbours with their presence and brings out the best in people.
- Has made their housing co-op and community a better place to live.
- Promotes the benefits of co-operative living.
- Has made a meaningful, lasting contribution to their co-op that can serve as an inspiration to members across Canada.
Do you know someone like this? Consider nominating them for the Co-op Housing Champion Award!
Recognition
Given every two years, the winner will be honoured at CHF Canada’s Annual Meeting, with complementary registration and support for travel. .
How to Apply
Applications are open until March 20, 2026 at 5pm ET.
Questions? Fill out the general inquiry form
Award for Co-operative Achievement
Housing co-ops have done amazing things, and we want to highlight them.
The Award for Co‑operative Achievement celebrates an inspiring program or project by a CHF Canada member co‑op that creates a lasting legacy.
The Award is given out every two years and showcases why housing co‑ops are remarkable places to live.
Eligibility
A co‑op must be a CHF Canada member, and fulfill one or more of the following criteria:
- Dedication to social change, community development and/or environmental sustainability.
- Outstanding achievement in co-operative governance and/or management.
- Significant engagement of young co-operative members or those members from underrepresented groups, and/or support of aging-in-place measures.
- Have added new units or redeveloped to contribute to the growth of Canada’s co-op housing movement.
Recognition
The winner will be honored at CHF Canada’s Annu al Meeting and will receive $2,500.
- Dedication to social change, community development and/or environmental sustainability.
- Outstanding achievement in co-operative governance and/or management.
- Significant engagement of young co-operative members or those members from underrepresented groups, and/or support of aging-in-place measures.
- Have added new units or redeveloped to contribute to the growth of Canada’s co-op housing movement.
How to Apply
Applications are closed. The next award will be given out in 2026.
Questions? Contact Us.
Member Loyalty Awards are CHF Canada’s way to say thank you.
Recognition
When your co-op hits 20, 30, 40 or 50 years, receive your Member Loyalty Award! Receive the award at the next CHF Canada Annual Meeting or at your co-op
Questions? Fill out the general inquiry form. Contact Us.
Grants
Greener Co-op Microgrant
This program provides small grants to support co-op projects that will have a positive impact on the environment or that decrease consumption of resources and energy.
How to Apply
Applications are closed.
Grants are approved on a first-come, first-served basis each spring.
Questions? Fill out the general inquiry form
Regional Diversity Grant
CHF Canada supports projects that promote and celebrate diversity.
We give grants to co-ops that exhibit respect for and appreciation of differences, including; ethnicity, gender identity and expression, nationality, sexual orientation, age, religion, education, ability.
How much can you ask for?
Between $500 and $3,500.
Eligibility
Your project must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Educate CHF Canada’s members about diversity and inclusion.
- Promote equity.
- Develop leadership in underrepresented groups.
- Be useful to other housing co-ops across Canada.
How to Apply
The next grants will be offered in 2026. Watch for details.
This grant is offered every second year.
Questions? Fill out the general inquiry form
Scholarships
Diversity Scholarship
The Diversity Scholarship program recognizes young people living in housing co-ops who are actively promoting diversity in their community.
As of 2023, more than $1.9 million has been awarded to more than 440 scholarship recipients.
Open to all members, the scholarship provides financial assistance to people entering post-secondary education or to full-time students currently pursuing a degree. The Diversity Scholarship program is offered in partnership with our federation partners across the country.
CHF Canada recognizes that the strength of its membership is in the many cultures and identities represented within Canada’s housing co‑ops. CHF Canada encourages applications from these diverse communities.
What information will I need to provide?
- Name of program and educational institution you plan to attend.
- Cost of program (training scholarship only).
- Proof of registration (if you are already in a college or university program).
- Two most recent volunteer activities you participated in that helped to support your community or co-op.
- One reference letter from someone who could speak to your academic success or community contributions such as:
- A teacher, guidance counsellor or administrator from your school- A college or university instructor or professor.
- Your co-op’s manager.
- An employer.
- Someone who worked with or supervised you in a volunteer capacity.
Recognition
$2,000 for 1st year and $1,000 for subsequent years, to a maximum of $5,000. Members of all ages are welcome to apply.
Questions? Fill out the general inquiry form
Training Scholarships
For leaders of any age who wish to undertake training to improve their skills to better serve their housing co-operative.
Training in diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, unconscious bias, gender equality and language training are all examples of possible training options.
Eligibility
- Available to board and committee members of any age.
- Available for short-term courses no longer than one year.
- Scholarships will be awarded to recipients entering post-secondary education or to full-time students currently pursuing a degree.
What information will I need to provide?
- Name of program and educational institution you plan to attend
- Cost of program (training scholarship only).
- Proof of registration (if you are already in a college or university program).
- Two most recent volunteer activities you participated in that helped to support your community or co-op.
- One reference letter from someone who could speak to your academic success or community contributions such as:
- A teacher, guidance counsellor or administrator from your school- A college or university instructor or professor.
- Your co-op’s manager.
- An employer.
- Someone who worked with or supervised you in a volunteer capacity.
Recognition
Maximum of $1,500 for short-term courses no longer than one year.
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted starting in April, 2026. Check back here for details.
Questions About Training Scholarships.
Contact your Region:
- Atlantic
Cathy Volans
Co-ordinator, Co‑operative and Planning Services (Atlantic)
1 (866) 213-2667
cvolans@chfcanada.coop - Southwestern Ontario
Denise McGahan
Program Manager, Member Services
1 (800) 644-3949
dmcgahan@chfcanada.coop - Manitoba
Maria Vaiaso
Regional Manager, Prairies
mvaiaso@chfcanada.coop
Management Scholarship
We want to promote the continuous development of excellence in co-operative housing management in Canada.
The scholarship program supports individuals to become proficient managers of housing co-ops by providing financial assistance to attend a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution or recognized professional training equivalent.
Eligibility
- Members, directors or employees of a CHF Canada member co-op (for the entire duration of the scholarship).
- Current CHF Canada staff and Board members are not eligible for the scholarship.
What programs of study are covered?
- Scholarships will be awarded for a program of study at a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution (university, college or equivalent training institute) relevant to improving the business skills of property managers of housing co‑ops, including but not limited to building asset management, finance and administration, customer service and/or community development.
- Scholarships can be used towards the new Co-op Housing Management Accreditation (CHMA).
- CHF Canada’s online learning modules and workshops that are part of regional events or the Annual Meeting Member Education Forum and Co‑operative Management Conference (with the exception of CHMA courses) are not eligible.
For more information about eligibility, please refer to the Management Scholarship Policy.
How much are the scholarships?
Scholarships provide up to a maximum of $2,000 in the first academic year and up to a maximum of $1,000 in each of the following two academic years.
How to Apply
Complete the online form by 4:00 pm Eastern on March 1, 2026.
Questions about Management Scholarships
