Home - Banff Canmore Foundation

Creative Action for Community

The Bow Valley's
Community Foundation

Working with empowered donors to catalyze change in our community.

Purpose

Banff Canmore Foundation connects resources and opportunities to activate community potential, enhance quality of life and create belonging for all.

collage with kids and canoeists by river and mountain

Community Grants

Applications open in December

The farthest-reaching grant program in the Bow Valley, these grants channel local residents’ support to projects with the greatest potential to address our most pressing challenges and to drive positive change.

Scholarships

Applications open in Spring

Each year, BCF awards scholarships to Bow Valley students pursuing post-secondary education at various stages of their professional journey. Each endowed scholarship in an investment in our community’s future.

Housing & Affordability

Local Solutions in a Time of Crisis

Civil Society in the Bow Valley has identified housing as a top priority but empowerment is critical. BCF is working with partners on collaborative solutions.

Funds

BCF Community Fund

Supporting the Community Grants Program and the Foundation’s charitable objects and strategic priorities across the Bow Valley. Its impact is wide and varied.

Truth & Reconciliation Fund

Supporting projects that are Indigenous-led and/or advance the TRC’s Calls to Action in the Bow Valley, from Lake Louise to the Mînî Thnî.

All Funds

BCF holds dozens of funds, each with a unique strategic purpose. Some support specific community groups and address key issues. Others are driven by specific needs or inspired by an individual.

BCF is a uniting force that really understands the unique needs and challenges of people living in the Bow Valley. Their work is innovative, impactful and far-reaching.

Lydia Wilson, The North Face Banff

We strongly believe BCF, through their existing programming and networks, targets the areas of highest needs and amplifies the impact of our donations.

Yannis Karlos, Park Distillery

The Pauw Foundation appreciates the work BCF does to convene conversations, understand changing community needs, and hold relationships with various stakeholders.

Cathy Geisler, Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation

The Marika Laub Memorial Scholarship is meaningful community support that comes at a critical time in my life as I pivot towards being a high school teacher and sports coach.

Janine Giles, 2023 Scholarship Recipient

The Banff Canmore Foundation grant has enabled us to create a very cool area for our students to gather and work. Purchasing furniture and books make this goal a reality.

Jeff Horvath, former principal at Morley Community School

collage with goats and man sitting by river

How we're Different

As we build and steward funds right here in the Bow Valley, Banff Canmore Foundation is part of an intersectional movement that is driving change with, for and by this community. The goal? A just and sustainable future where everyone belongs.

Connect with Us

Land Acknowledgement

In the spirit of our efforts to promote reconciliation and create belonging for all, we acknowledge the traditional territories and oral practices of the Stoney Nakoda, Blackfoot and the Tsuut’ina First Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), in this Treaty 7 region of southern Alberta.

We live and work in this beautiful place that is on the traditional territory of Indigenous People who have lived and travelled through these mountains for thousands and thousands of years.

In particular, we acknowledge the Shuswap and K’tunaxs (too nah ha), first nations to the west, as well as the Treaty 7 first nations: the Blackfoot, the Kainai (pronounced “gainai”), the Piikani (pronounced Biigani) and the Siksika first nations, the T’suuTina First Nation, the Stoney Nakoda First Nation: the Wesley, Bearspaw and Chiniki bands, as well as the Métis People of Region 3.

Learn more about our efforts to pursue Truth & Reconciliation here in the Bow Valley.