CUA Awards $25,000 in Community Grants

Nine Local Businesses and Community Organizations Supported

Halifax, N.S. – CUA has announced the recipients of its 2019 Community Investment Grant Program. The successful applicants were presented with their cheques at a presentation today at CUA’s corporate office.

As a provincial banking institution, CUA understands that a small amount of money can have a big impact for projects, people and communities. This is the fifth year CUA has invested in organizations and businesses with a desire to have a positive social and economic impact.

“We were impressed by the stories and thought that went into this year’s applications,” says Marie Mullally, President & CEO of CUA.  “The high caliber of submissions and the sheer volume made for a difficult decision. In fact, there was a 62% increase in the number of submissions over last year. We engaged our Member Advisory Council in the selection process and are confident our investments will have a significant impact on the new ventures of all the recipients.”

CUA distributed $25,000 in three categories (small business, community and non-profit as well as sports and recreation). Here are the 2019 Community Investment Grant Program recipients:

Small Business:
Off Track Brewing - $7,000
Wild Island Sail Adventures - $4,000
EcoPliance - $4,000

Community & Non-Profit:
The Friends of McNabs Island Society - $2,000
Halifax Brewery Market - $2,000
Chebucto Family Centre - $1,000

Sports & Recreation:
Diamond Dawgs - $2,000
Challenger Baseball - $2,000
Storm Soccer - $1,000    

The successful projects and initiatives were chosen based on their demonstration of how the investment would contribute to their business, organization or community. For example, the Halifax Brewery Market will use the grant to purchase a commercial dishwasher along with reusable plates, cutlery, cups and mugs which will allow the market’s food vendors to significantly reduce the amount of waste they produce.  The Challenger Baseball program provides an opportunity for children and youth with cognitive and/or physical disabilities to enjoy the full benefits of participating in baseball. They will use the grant to purchase two new sets of uniforms for their growing program.

An overview of projects that will be supported through CUA’s 2019 Community Investment Grant Program is below.

About CUA:

Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, CUA is a full-service banking institution serving 20,000 members with flexible products, personalized service and quick decisions. CUA has eight branches spanning from Tantallon to Cole Harbour, as well as a Corporate Office for Wealth Management Services, Commercial Lending, and a dedicated Customer Contact Centre. For more information, please visit cua.com.

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Contact:

Lindsay Cross
Director, Marketing and Strategy
lcross@cua.com
P: 902.492.6521


2019 CUA COMMUNITY INVESTMENT GRANT PROGRAM RECIPIENTS

Community & Non-Profit

The Friends of McNabs Island Society – the $2,000 Community and Non-Profit Grant will allow for the purchase of solar panels and skylights as the Society transforms an old stone building into a sustainable learning centre, called the McNabs Island Outdoor Education Centre.

Halifax Brewery Market – with the $2,000 Community and Non-Profit Grant, the Halifax Brewery Market will purchase a commercial dishwasher along with reusable plates, cutlery, cups and mugs. This investment will allow the market’s food vendors to significantly reduce the amount of waste being produced while in compliance with food safety regulations.

Chebucto Family Centre - the $1,000 Community and Non-Profit Grant will allow for growth of the Basic Shelf Program including the purchase of kitchen utensils and cookbooks. The Basic Shelf Program brings together families in the community who learn to cook healthy meals together in a 6-8 week long course.

Small Business

Off Track Brewing - with the $7,000 Small Business Grant, Off Track Brewing (a small microbrewery in Bedford) will purchase new fermenters enabling them to increase business growth, community impact, as well as production capacity.

Wild Island Sail Adventures - the $4,000 Small Business Grant will allow for the purchase of valuable safety equipment, including life rafts and marine radars as Wild Island Sail Adventures is preparing to offer customized tours to experience Halifax Harbour along with the pristine 100 Wild Islands located along the Eastern Shore.

EcoPliance - EcoPliance a cleantech start-up that produces enhanced food and beverage containers. The $4,000 Small Business Grant will be used toward the development of the Smart Sip Mug, a leak-proof, collapsible mug.

Sports & Recreation

Diamond Dawgs - the $2,000 Sports and Recreation Grant will allow for the purchase of pitching machines for the lower rookie and pre-rookie leagues of this Dartmouth based community baseball club.

Challenger Baseball - the Challenger Baseball program provides an opportunity for children and youth with cognitive and/or physical disabilities to enjoy the full benefits of participating in baseball. Each player is paired with a buddy from Hammonds Plains Baseball. The $2,000 Sports and Recreation Grant will allow Challenger Baseball to purchase two new sets of uniforms for their growing program.