Wellbeing in Community Grant Program
Wellbeing Starts with Community
BCF Wellbeing in Community Grant Program builds on the success of our spring 2025 pilot, offering small grants to support community-led initiatives that promote mental wellness and social connection across the Bow Valley.
Mental health is complex, and everyone has a role to play, from professionals to informal groups and neighbours who care. This program supports grassroots efforts that empower community connectors, nurture a culture of care, and strengthen networks of belonging through non-clinical, community-based approaches.
What’s new this cycle
We’ve introduced two funding streams to make it easier for a broader range of organizations to participate:
- Qualified donees: Registered charities and other organizations recognized by the CRA.
- Non-qualified donees: Registered organizations already active in the Bow Valley. No fiscal sponsor is required.
Together, we’re helping local leaders create spaces and experiences that foster connection, inclusion, and wellbeing for all who call the Bow Valley home. Learn more and apply by creating an account on our Online Grants Portal below.
Program Scope
This grant supports community-driven projects in the Bow Valley, from Mini Thni to Lake Louise, that strengthen mental health and wellbeing through connection, care, and grassroots action.
We’re looking for initiatives that:
CARE: Empower community connectors—trusted individuals who offer guidance and support—to foster a culture of care.
CONNECT: Build or expand networks of belonging, especially for those who may feel isolated or have limited social connections.
GRASSROOTS: Are led by volunteers and community members, not by paid professionals working in their field.
Powering Progress: The Fund Behind the Program
Thank you to generous contributions from donors to the BCF Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. Their support is crucial in enabling the foundation to provide essential funding for new initiatives and existing programs to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of our community's vulnerable groups. By fostering a network of collaboration and resource-sharing, the BCF Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants Program aims to create lasting positive change and promote a healthier, more resilient community for all.
The Banff Canmore Foundation Mental Health and Wellbeing Grant Program plays a crucial role in making the Banff Mental Health and Addictions Week a reality. Without this support, none of this would have been achievable."
— Lori Bayne, Chair of the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital Community Board
