Canada’s Equitable Bank (EQ) has announced that its subsidiary Concentra has awarded CA$150,000 to six credit unions through its 2026 Empowering Your Community (EYC) programme.
A leading financial services provider to the credit union system, Concentra has awarded more than $2.3m to credit unions and their partners since the programme’s inception in 2011.
EQ says Canadians are increasingly looking to institutions that strengthen their local economies.
“Member-owned and accountable to the communities they serve,” it adds, “credit unions turn local knowledge into local investment and are among the country’s leading small-business lenders. EQ and Concentra are proud to stand with credit unions, supporting them in serving six million credit union members across Canada.”
Since 2011, the EYC programme has provided grants to credit unions across Canada in support of community causes that improve mental health, advance Indigenous resurgence, provide housing, and strengthen food security.
“Credit unions play a unique role in Canada’s financial ecosystem,” said Tanya Postlewaite, vice president, trust and credit union services at EQ. “Their deep community roots allow them to address local needs in ways few others can. This year’s recipients reflect that strength, and through Concentra, we are proud to support their work in building more resilient and inclusive communities across Canada.”
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Winners of the 2026 Empowering Your Community grant include:
- Access Credit Union and Assiniboine Credit Union – Awarded $100,000 to scale the Harvest Manitoba programme in Winnipeg. Harvest Manitoba (pictured) is a non-profit dedicated to reducing food insecurity across the province by collecting and distributing food, providing client-centred solutions, and advocating for long-term change. It supports more than 380 food banks and community agencies, working toward a future where no Manitoban goes hungry.
Additionally, $10,000 was awarded to each of the following credit unions for meaningful community initiatives:
- Compass Credit Union and Rolling River First Nation (MB) for the Muskodaa Pisiki (Buffalo) Project
- Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited (ON) for Growing Resilience: Strengthening Ward 13’s Community Food System Project
- Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union (BC) for the Shuswap Community Teaching Garden Greenhouse Project
- Affinity Credit Union (SK) for the nēhiyawak Language Experience
- StellerVista Credit Union (BC) for the Full Bellies Full Hearts Project with Fernie Food Security Society
“Together these initiatives show what the credit union system contributes to Canada: local decisions, local ownership and local results, at a time when the country is investing in its own capacity to grow. EQ and Concentra are proud to stand behind them.”
