With funding provided by CNEA, CNL employees support youth sports and recreation, infrastructure improvements, animal welfare, family services and other community resourcing
It is the third year in a row that CNL has held its annual Community Crowdfunding campaign, and our employees once again demonstrated just how generous and committed they are to the health and well-being of our local communities. The cheques have all been handed out, and we are pleased to announce that this year CNL employees donated over $185,000 towards much-needed community causes, bringing the 3-year total of the campaign to more than $500,000!
That money is provided by Canadian National Energy Alliance (CNEA), a consortium formed to manage and operate CNL. As part of CNEA’s investment into local charities and community initiatives, which includes economic and social development, the consortium annually donates more than $300,000. The bulk of that money is invested through a unique program that gives employees more say in how that money is spent, which is an employee-driven crowdfunding campaign.
To provide some background details, in 2021 CNL adopted a new and more unique approach to provide staff recognition while seeking to do something meaningful within local communities as part of the organization’s commitment to social responsibility. CNEA has always set aside funds to celebrate employee performance and support community causes, but instead of the leadership team directing how these investments would be made, CNL turned to our staff to provide that direction. They know the communities best, know where the needs lie, and they put in the hard work all year to help CNL be successful. It is only fitting that they have some say in how these funds are being allocated.
Since then, CNL employees have donated that money into everything from hospitals, parks, and food banks to animal care organizations, recreational facilities, and educational initiatives. Because the program is intentionally accessible, making it easier to connect with as many community organizations as possible, it has been a resounding success. And the employees are very proud to see the difference that this crowdfunding program makes within their communities, and the truly broad spectrum of ideas and causes supported.
This past year, in recognition of another strong performance over the fiscal year, and in response to continued positive feedback from previous crowdfunding campaigns, CNEA provided $185,000 for staff-directed investment in causes and initiatives important to their communities. CNL employees were encouraged to submit ideas for consideration that were guided by the following principles:
- Contribute to the quality of life in neighboring communities
- Create a stronger sense of community among CNL staff
- Help to build engagement and pride in CNL and among the workforce
- Build a stronger and more successful CNL
The 2023 campaign generated 79 ideas, a new record! Over 2,300 employees invested their ‘CNL Bucks’ and the result was 41 charities and organizations receiving funds. These organizations touch communities local to all CNL-managed sites, including Fredericton, NB; Trois-Rivieres, QC; Port Hope, ON; Chalk River, ON; and, Pinawa, MB. The unique approach has also generated frequent media and industry attention, as well as grown in prominence within local communities to the point where many organizations are actively involved in promotion of the program and encouragement of CNL staff investment.
Below is a full list of this year’s recipients! Congratulations to everyone who received funds, and thank you to CNEA and CNL employees for making a difference in our communities.
2023 CNL Crowdfunding Campaign Recipients
- Canadian Nuclear Heritage Museum
- Swisha Youth and Community Centre
- Watch My 6 Service Dogs
- Petawawa-Pembroke & Valley Rugby Football Club
- Ottawa Valley Thunder Girls Hockey
- 1st Deep River Scouts
- Laurentian Hills Volunteer Fire Department
- Builder’s Club (Highview Elementary School, Pembroke)
- Little Putters Program (Deep River Golf Club)
- Upper Ottawa Valley Little League
- Lac du Bonnet and District Arena Upgrades
- Bernadette McCann House
- Starlight Intermediate Synchronized Skating Team
- Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen, Pembroke
- Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Center, Cobourg-Northumberland
- Mount Martin Ski Club
- LV Four Seasons Trail
- Petawawa Public Library Community Garden Plot
- Petawawa Indoor Rock Climbing Club (IRCC)
- LV 50+ Fit and Feisty Group
- Pinawa Orville Acres Arena Upgrades
- Chalk River and Area Lions Club
- Nepean Kanata Barracudas Swim Club
- Dreams and Wishes Children’s Charity
- Charity supporting Queer folks in Renfrew County (PFLAG)
- Children’s Place Co-op Daycare, Pinawa
- Local Youth Westmeath Ball Club
- Res-Q-Rench (Tiverton Fire Department)
- Wounded Warrior Canada (WWC)
- UVGC Competitive Gymnastics
- Childhood Brain Cancer Research (Madox’s Warriors Foundation)
- Lac du bonnet Cross Country Ski Club
- Beausejour Softball Complex Improvements
- Deep River Symphony Orchestra’s Next Chapter
- Combined Support for Animal Welfare Programs (multiple recipients in local communities)
- Combined Support for Local Community Foodbanks (multiple recipients in local communities)
