CFA 2024 Community Champion Award Winner – Federated Co-operatives Limited and the Cooperative Retailing System: Fueling Communities with Purpose 

Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and its Co-operative Retailing System (CRS) are esteemed for their community support and sustainable development in Western Canada. They were recognized with the CFA 2024 Community Champion Award for their commitment to economic resilience, social responsibility and environmental stewardship in the fuels industry.  

FCL operates a unique cooperative model integrating 160 locally owned Co-ops, ensuring that profits benefit 2.1 million members across the region. The CRS, which consists of FCL and the 160 local Co-ops that own it, facilitates economic growth and social responsibility by collectively owning and operating facilities encompassing fuel, food, pharmacy, agriculture and home centres.  

Fuel Good Day, an initiative where a minimum of five cents per litre of fuel purchased at participating gas bars is donated to local charities and non-profits, exemplifies FCL’s commitment to community engagement, raising more than $4.2 million for 870 local charities since its inception. This initiative allows each participating Co-op to select a local charity, ensuring targeted support for needs such as food security, childcare, and sports programs.

“In 2023 alone, Fuel Good Day contributed $645,000 to 175 causes, demonstrating significant community impact beyond financial contributions,” says Ron Healey, Vice President of Energy and Agriculture at FCL. FCL and local co-ops have further reinvested profits through $3.2 billion in capital investments and patronage allocations over the past five years, enhancing local economies through job creation and essential services. 

Looking forward, FCL anticipates deeper engagement with local communities, leveraging strengths in renewable fuels and efficient distribution networks like the Co-op Refinery Complex in Regina and the Co-op Ethanol Complex in Belle Plaine, SK. This approach not only meets consumer demands, but also advances environmental stewardship and community well-being. 

“FCL’s community support strategy is rooted in understanding local needs through ongoing collaboration with member Co-ops, ensuring tailored and impactful initiatives,” says Ron. As FCL and the CRS expand, their commitment to sustainable community development remains steadfast, evident through initiatives like Fuel Good Day and strategic community investments.

FCL and the CRS exemplify how businesses can drive positive change and lasting impact. Their efforts not only fuel vehicles, but also foster hope, resilience, and prosperity across Western Canada, embodying a co-operative spirit that inspires meaningful community engagement and sustainable growth.