Aviva Canada’s Community Fund competition returns

Aviva Canada has launched its sixth Aviva Community Fund competition, which provides $1 million to “encourage Canadians to create positive change across the country through community initiatives.”

Created in 2009, the competition has since provided more than $4.5 million in funding to 91 charities and community groups including youth programs, public schools, camps, animal shelters and centres for those affected by disabilities or illness, according to the insurer.

“We hear it from our customers, our brokers, our business contacts, our community leaders and the general public – they love the Aviva Community Fund, so we are back for a sixth year, ” Sharon Ludlow, president of Aviva Insurance Company of Canada said in the announcement Monday.  “With the impact that the funding has made in our local communities over the last five years, we eagerly anticipate the announcement of this year’s winners.”

This year, Aviva has introduced five funding categories – Health, Sport & Active Living; Environment & Sustainability; Animal Welfare; Schools & Education; and At-Risk Youth.  

All submissions will also be grouped into funding level categories (small – up to $50,000 and large – up to $100,000).

The idea that receives the most votes in each of the five  categories and funding levels from the first, second and third qualifying rounds will advance to the semi-finals. An additional 30 ideas from each qualifying round (15 each from the small and large funding levels) will also advance to the semi-finals based on the number of votes they receive, Aviva explained.

Also new this year is $60,000 in wildcard prizes. Twenty $1,000 prizes will be available to randomly selected ideas that receive more 1,000 votes in the competition, but do not advance in each qualifying round. All 60 wildcard prizes will be announced together on Jan. 20, 2015, a week before the grand prize winner announcement.

Ideas can be submitted and voting can take place on the competition’s website – .