Co-operative Development Program (CDP) — Co-operators
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
The Co-operators Co-operative Development Program, established in 1992, provides non-repayable grants of up to $20,000 to legally incorporated Canadian co-operatives for business development activities including feasibility studies, market research, business planning, marketing, member engagement, and legal or financial supports. Applicants must cover at least 50% of project costs and be incorporated as a co-operative at time of application. Priority is given to projects in social wellness (mental health for youth), inclusive economy (job skills and employment support), and environmental resilience (low-carbon transition and biodiversity), though other sectors may apply. The annual intake window runs January to mid-April.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be legally incorporated as a co-operative at time of application (articles of incorporation required)
- Project must cover business development costs — not capital expenditures or operational expenses
- Applicant must provide minimum 50% cost-share (grant cannot exceed 50% of total budget)
- Eligible uses: feasibility studies, market research, business planning, marketing, member engagement, legal and financial advisory
- Priority sectors: social wellness, inclusive economy, and environmental resilience (other sectors welcome)
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $20,000 (50% of eligible project costs)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Annual — April 15 intake (2026 intake closed; 2027 window opens January)
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win CDP — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 5-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 4-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 2-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipThe three priority sectors — social wellness (youth mental health), inclusive economy (employment support), and environmental resilience (low-carbon/biodiversity) — explicitly receive preference in evaluation. Framing your project narrative within one of these lenses, even if your co-op's primary sector is different, materially improves competitiveness. Contact [email protected] well before the January intake opens to confirm eligibility and get guidance on application framing.
Success Profile
A community food co-op conducting a $35,000 feasibility study for a new distribution hub, with $20,000 from CDP and $15,000 from member equity contributions. Or a worker co-op in the mental health services sector using CDP to fund a member engagement strategy and governance review.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are evaluated on alignment with one of the three priority sectors (social wellness, inclusive economy, environmental resilience), viability and clarity of the proposed business development project, co-operative governance structure, ability to demonstrate 50% cost-share, and the expected community or member impact. Sector priority does not exclude other co-operatives but represents a scoring advantage.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 5
Eligible Expenses 7
- Feasibility studies
- Market research
- Business planning and strategy
- Marketing and communications development
- Member engagement activities
- Legal advisory fees
- Financial advisory fees
Ineligible Expenses 9
- Capital expenditures and equipment purchases
- Operational or overhead expenses
- Insurance premiums
- Scholarships or bursaries
- Education programs and conferences
- Travel and accommodation
- Fundraising activities
- Deficit reduction
- Retroactive expenses already incurred
Intake Periods
Annual intake cycle: opens January 5, closes April 15. Next intake expected January 2027. No in-year rolling intake.
Deadline Notes
The 2026 intake opened January 5 and closed April 15, 2026. The program runs an annual cycle; the 2027 window is expected to open January 2027. Check the Co-operators Foundation website in December for the next intake announcement.
Ineligible Organizations
- Non-co-operative legal structures (corporations, sole proprietors, partnerships, NPOs that are not co-ops)
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskFunds used for ineligible expenses or not applied to the approved project may be subject to recovery. Standard compliance reporting applies.
How CDP Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-operative Development Program (CDP... | Up to $20,000 | Easy | Lump Sum | Annual — April 15 intake... |
| Industrial Research Assistance Progra... | Up to $1 million | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Next deadline: May 29,... |
| Youth Employment and Skills Program | Up to $25,000 | Hard | Advance Payment | Between intakes —... |
| Innovative Solutions Canada | up to $150,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Challenge-specific — new... |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for