What & Why
Banff Canmore Foundation works collaboratively to flow resources to community projects and local initiatives. Your contributions go straight to where they’re needed most.
Purpose
Banff Canmore Foundation connects resources and opportunities to activate community potential, enhance quality of life and create belonging for all.
What we do
We help shift power to tackle regional, national and even global challenges with a local perspective, focusing on what matters most to this unique community here in the spectacular Bow Valley.
As we build and steward funds, we’re part of an intersectional movement that is driving change with, for and by community. The goal? A just and sustainable future where everyone belongs.
As one of more than 200 community foundations across Canada, Banff Canmore Foundation works collaboratively to flow resources to community projects and local initiatives. In 2021, we celebrated 20 years of impact in the Bow Valley.
BCF 3-year Strategic Plan
How BCF will activate community potential in the Bow Valley, April 2023-March 2026.
How we work
A registered charity and independent public foundation, Banff Canmore Foundation is unique to this one-of-a-kind community. We bring a strategic approach to high-impact and high-potential initiatives and organizations in the Bow Valley. Donors’ gifts are pooled with the Foundation’s carefully and professionally-managed assets. Income generated on endowed funds is used to make grants to all corners of the community.
- We grant funds to a wide range of organizations and initiatives - from the arts to climate action. Our annual community grants program is an open call for applications and is the largest in the Bow Valley.
- We work with people and our partners to stimulate new ideas, build participation and strengthen philanthropy. See Moving Mountains Initiative for a great example.
- We celebrate relationships and encourage everyone to get involved in community. We cultivate a ‘sense of belonging.’
- We work with donors and our partners to understand philanthropy from a variety of viewpoints.
- We invite others to the table to share their time, talents and treasure.
- We encourage giving of all shapes and sizes.
Meet the Who
Meet our staff and volunteers
Community Priorities
Support Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; advance equity and inclusion to strengthen relationships between Indigenous people and settlers; create opportunities to increase Indigenous cultural awareness and learning throughout the Bow Valley.
Support initiatives that enhance affordability for people who live and work in the Bow Valley; foster a sustainable, locally owned, diverse, inclusive, and resilient economy.
Support protection and restoration of the natural environment, with a focus on community action to address climate change and reduce emissions.
Foster community wellness and safety through support of essential social services, housing and food security, and mental health initiatives; ensure a healthy community and protection of vulnerable people.
What is a Community Foundation?
Home to hundreds of community-minded philanthropists from across the Bow Valley and one of more than 200 community foundations across Canada, Banff Canmore Foundation works collaboratively to flow resources to community projects and local initiatives.
Community Foundations are instruments of civil society. The model pools donations into coordinated investments and flows funds to endowments that create community wealth. Through endowments, original capital is invested strategically to provide a consistent income. Net investment return on the value of the original donation provides grants to charitable organizations every year, in perpetuity. That’s how it works!
Through this process, we help shift power to tackle regional, national and even global challenges with a local perspective, focusing on what matters most to this unique community here in the spectacular Bow Valley. As we build and steward funds, we’re part of an intersectional movement that is driving change with, for and by community. The goal? A just and sustainable future where everyone belongs.
How Does An Endowment Work?
An endowment is a kind of investment that is set up to receive gifts and donations from donors. These invested funds are pooled and then administered and stewarded very carefully by Banff Canmore Foundation and our team of professional experts. Each year, investment income earned on these funds is flowed back into community, primarily through grants to local charities. The original donations remain in the fund and continue to contribute to an ever growing, permanent source of community wealth. Endowments allow for continuous growth of community support, year after year.
