Charitable Foundation to Gain Top Recognition at Ontario Co-op Gala

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">GUELPH, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 12, 2011) - A charitable foundation that has benefitted the lives of many in Ontario and the developing world will be named Ontario's 2011 Distinguished Co-operator at Ontario's Annual Co-op Conference and Gala at the Burlington, Ont. Royal Botanical Gardens on Oct. 19.

The Ontario Credit Union Charitable Foundation (www.ontariocucf.ca) based in Stoney Creek, Ont. has directed about $200,000 to help send 400 young people to Ontario Co-op Young Leaders camp over the last 20 years.

It has also developed the Dauphinee Scholarship Fund to support university students in co-op studies. Foundation Executive Director Tony Niessen says the financial award is named after Amy and Tim Dauphinee, Directors Emeritus, who were responsible for the foundation during its early years, helped connect it to co-ops across the globe, and promoted women's involvement.

In addition, the foundation routinely provides matching grants to Ontario credit union supported charities in their own communities. To co-operatives and credit unions worldwide, the foundation has given $700,000, a third of its overall grants, since its incorporation in 1979. Niessen adds that the foundation's contributions to international projects are tripled by the Canadian International Development Agency.

Kerr Smith, manager of the Ontario Co-op Young Leaders program, says that the foundation makes an "incredible impact every day. The foundation never misses an opportunity to promote and contribute to the program, while also providing opportunities and support for our teen leaders to get involved in the sector."

Ten other leaders are also celebrated at the awards banquet, bringing the total number of honorees to 110 since 1999, the inception of the Co-op Spirit Award. The banquet is the culmination of a daylong conference that draws up to 250 co-operative and credit union directors, employees, and supporters from across the province. Its theme is "Gearing Up," and is one of the first events in Canada to launch the United Nations International Year of Co-operators in 2012. More than a billion people belong to co-operative organizations worldwide.

The Ontario co-operative movement is a vibrant part of the province's economy. Ontario has more than 1300 co-ops, with 1900 locations in 400 communities. Ontario co-operatives employ more than 15,500 people and are supported by a network of 49,000 volunteers.

On Co-op, based in Guelph, Ont., is a resource and common voice for Ontario credit unions and co-operatives, with a mission to lead, cultivate and connect the Ontario co-operative movement. Visit www.ontario.coop to learn more.