Back for a Fourth! The Aviva Community Fund Returns with $1,000,000 to "Insure" Positive Change Across Canada.

Year four of the competition starts today

TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Aviva Canada Inc., one of the country's leading providers of home, auto, leisure and business insurance, is pleased to announce the return of the Aviva Community Fund competition. The fourth year of the competition opens today, offering Canadians $1,000,000 to lead, empower and support community initiatives across the country.

"I wanted to make a difference in my community for all children with disabilities, so how could I pass on the opportunity to enter the Aviva Community Fund?" said Kelly Meissner, idea generator behind 2011 Aviva Community Fund Winner Kate's Kause. After winning $60,000 Kate's Kause was able to build a fully accessible playground for the entire Elmira, Ontario community to use.

Starting today, Canadians can go to AvivaCommunityFund.org to submit ideas that will have a positive effect on their local community. After rallying support from friends, family, neighbours and co-workers, the most popular ideas will have a chance to be funded with the $1,000,000 Aviva Community Fund.

The twelve winning ideas in 2011 ranged from a bear rescue facility in Smithers, British Columbia, to a creative education youth camp in Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, Quebec, to a skateboard park in Yorkton, Saskatchewan to a senior's gym in Dundas, Ontario. Launched in the fall of 2009, the Aviva Community Fund competition has already provided over $2.5 million in funding to 31 charities and community groups.

"We help thousands of Canadian everyday and the Aviva Community Fund is an extension of this," said Maurice Tulloch, President and CEO, Aviva Canada. "Our brokers, charitable organizations and Canadians in general have responded so positively to the Fund that we're back with another $1,000,000 pledge."

New to the competition this year, and within the $1 million in funding, is a specific prize of up to $150,000 for Canadian community groups or charities that support homeless and at-risk youth programs. Also within $1 million in funding again this year is up to $150,000 in funding for initiatives specifically supported by insurance brokers.

Canadians can access the competition and vote via AvivaCommunityFund.org and Facebook www.facebook.com/AvivaCommunityFund). Also, for every Like the Aviva Community Fund receives on Facebook, $1 will be donated to a number of charitable partners.

About Aviva Canada
Aviva Canada is one of the leading Property and Casualty insurance groups in Canada providing home, automobile, recreational vehicle, group and business insurance to more than three million customers. The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc and has more than 3,000 employees, 25 locations and 1,700 independent broker partners. Aviva Canada and its employees invest in positive change including through the Aviva Community Fund and Eva's Initiatives, its partner in Aviva's global Street to School program to help homeless and other at-risk youth reach their potential.

For more information visit AvivaCanada.com, our blog or our Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

SOURCE: Aviva Canada Inc.