Call for Wedgeshare Applications - Time to Apply for a Wedge Grant

The Wedge is soliciting grant applications from non-profit organizations in our community that work for sustainable development through environmental, health, food or cooperative-related activities. If you work for or know of any organizations that fit one or more of these criteria, we encourage you to let them know of the availability of this year's Wedgeshare grants.

What is Wedgeshare? Wedgeshare is a philanthropic program created by the Wedge Co-op board of directors in 1997. It is based on Cooperative Principle #7: Concern for Community, which states: "While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members."

Each year, the Wedge donates a portion of its profits to select local organizations working for a sustainable future. In 2002, Wedge Member-Owners selected, by vote, five organizations: the Eastside Food Co-op, the Women's Cancer Resource Center, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, The Green Institute and Harvest Moon Farm to receive a total of $20,000.

In 2003, the Wedge will donate a portion of its post-patronage refund, post-tax profits to selected organizations. We will also accept donations from Member-Owners to further strengthen the program (many members ask us every year to donate their patronage refunds to a good cause).

How to apply for a Wedgeshare grant: Pick up a copy of this year's Wedgeshare guidelines at the Customer Service Desk, or review the guidelines posted on our web site at wedge.coop/info/intro/wedgeshare.php. All information necessary to apply is included. All applications must be received by Friday, July 11th, by 4:00 p.m.

Grant sizes may range, (depending on 2003 Wedge profits), from $500 to around $6,000 in cash or in-kind donations. All inquiries should be directed to the Wedgeshare voice-mail (Box 333), which can be reached by calling the Wedge office: 612-874-7275. Wedge staff do NOT have information except as noted at the Customer Service Desk, so please leave your name, number, and a good time to reach you on the voice mail. The voice mail box is checked about once a week. Wedge Member-Owners will vote this fall to select the recipients of this year's Wedgeshare grants.