BOW VALLEY – The Banff Canmore Foundation (BCF) has given more than $180,000 to 24 local recipients for the 2024 community grants program.
On Monday (June 3), BCF announced the organizations and initiatives that are addressing the community’s “most pressing challenges and driving positive change” and were recognized in this year’s grants.
"It is inspiring to be able to flow funds to these community-led initiatives that are driving positive change and making a real difference in the lives of Bow Valley residents,” said Laurie Edward, executive director of the Banff Canmore Foundation, in a media release.
Of the two dozen recipients, six grants were given to organizations that are supporting National Indigenous History Month events in June, for a total of $34,100.
Four grants were disbursed to food security-related initiatives, for a total of $39,000. $16,300 was given for housing and emergency accommodation and mental health programming.
“The applicants give a lot of thoughtful consideration to the projects that they propose, and we spend a lot of time evaluating what they have told us,” said Sandy Last, board member and program committee member, in a media release. “It’s a big commitment, and we’re grateful for everyone involved – donors, applicants, and volunteers alike.”
The program pools contributions from a diverse group of donors to support projects from across the Bow Valley and to Îyârhe Nakoda First Nation.
From there, dozens of applications are reviewed by a 13-member board that judges which projects have the biggest impact on the community, project readiness and connection to the community priorities.
“My greatest thanks goes to all of those members of the committee for the time and care that they take, and the attention that they pay as volunteers to what matters in the community. And of course the donors – without them, none of this would be possible,” said Last.
2024 BCF community grant program recipients
Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation ($1,800), Canmore Museum ($7,500), Alpine Club of Canada ($3,500), Canmore Pride Society with Rocky Mountain Adaptive ($7,500), Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity ($10,000), artsPlace ($5,500), Canmore Young Adult Network ($6,300), Covenant Foundation ($6,500), Banff Fire Department ($5,000), Daycare Society of Banff ($2,500), Banff Pride Society ($7,500), Homeless Society of the Bow Valley ($12,750), Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley ($10,000), Pine Tree Players ($5,000), Bowstrings Heritage Foundation ($4,100), Îyârhe Nakoda Food Bank Society ($15,000), Bow Valley Connections Centre ($3,000), Oesa Arts ($13,334), Canadian Rockies Public Schools ($10,000), Rocky Mountain Adaptive ($13,560), Canmore Hospital Foundation ($6,000), Canmore Folk Music Festival ($3,500), St. George’s in the Pines Anglican Church ($15,000) and YWCA Banff ($10,000).
