How It Works
The Gordon L. Diewert Foundation uses a sustainable, hybrid funding model that combines charitable donations with Cocendo’s merchant network to deliver dignified grocery support to post-secondary students across Canada.
The 90/10 Donation Model
Every dollar you donate works hard:
- 90% goes directly to student grocery support — digital grocery credits delivered with dignity and privacy.
- 10% sustains essential operations — including CRA compliance, accounting, audit readiness, and governance — ensuring the Foundation remains credible and accountable.
The Cocendo Merchant Model
Through our partnership with Cocendo, participating merchants contribute $1.50 per eligible transaction:
- $1.00 flows to the Foundation to fund student grocery support.
- $0.50 sustains Cocendo’s technology platform, merchant network, and platform operations.
This means that every time a customer shops at a Cocendo-partnered merchant, students benefit — automatically and at no cost to the student.
Endowment Income
Long-term investments generate ongoing returns that fund scholarships and student-focused programs. For over 40 years, the Foundation has supported students through the Gordon L. Diewert Scholarship at Simon Fraser University (SFU).
Step-by-Step: How Your Donation Helps
- You Donate — Securely online. You receive an official CRA tax receipt immediately.
- Funds Are Allocated — 90% flows directly into our student grocery fund. 10% covers operational costs.
- Students Receive Support — Verified students receive digital grocery credits, redeemable at Cocendo-partnered merchants with full privacy and dignity.
- Merchants Contribute — Every eligible purchase at a Cocendo merchant adds $1.00 to the fund — multiplying the impact of every donation.
Charity Registration
The Gordon L. Diewert Foundation is a registered Canadian charity.
Business Number (BN): 884461328 RR0001
All donations receive official CRA tax receipts.