This Iconic Place: Pursuit Community Fund
We live in a community with a constant presence of visitors from around the world. It’s not uncommon for residents, focused on the day-to-day realities of life, to feel disconnected with the joys and pleasures that drew these tourists here in the first place.
Each year in the Canadian Rockies, there’s a special day reserved for locals to experience the thrill of being whisked to the top of Sulphur Mountain, to walk on an ancient glacier, to discover Banff through the windows of an Open Top Touring or cruise across the waters of Lake Minnewanka. And it’s an opportunity for Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection – which owns and operates the Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka and Columbia Icefield – to give back.
We hope to both raise money and give back to the community while encouraging locals to enjoy our iconic experiences.
- Mirit Poznansky, Director of Programming and Animation for Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection.
Pursuit’s Long-term Commitment to Community
As one of the largest employers in the Canadian Rockies (with over 1500 employees in Banff, Jasper and Golden – including 400 full-time employees), Pursuit sets a high standard. Their long-standing partnership with BCF is based on shared values and trust.
Since 2010, Pursuit has contributed more than $75,000 to the BCF Community Fund, an endowment fund that supports the Community Grants Program and the Foundation’s charitable objectives and strategic partnerships.
In 2022, however, Pursuit committed to further the partnership and to its Promise to Place by establishing the Pursuit Community Fund.
Facilitated by the BCF, the new dedicated fund will let Pursuit play a larger role in directing donations, allowing for more focused alignment with team values. Pursuit will also be able to share beyond the Bow Valley, with donations finding their way to charities and community organizations in Jasper and Golden, B.C., in addition to Banff and Canmore.
Funds from the most recent Locals Day at the Banff Gondola will be used in part to support holiday charities throughout Alberta, including the Bow Valley Christmas Spirit Campaign, Santas Anonymous Banff Lake Louise and Santas Anonymous Jasper.
The creation of the Pursuit Community Fund represents the most recent evolution in Pursuit’s relationship with BCF — one that’s made a lasting difference in the Bow Valley and will now help foster community mindfulness throughout the Canadian Rockies.
“The Pursuit Community Fund will allow us to elevate our giving to new heights,” says Stuart Back, chief operating officer of Pursuit’s Banff Jasper Collection. “We’re thrilled to further strengthen our partnership with the BCF, and to make more meaningful contributions in all our communities.”
Locals Day is a chance for us to get together and share the good stories of BCF with our community. As BCF continues to grow and extend our reach to new donors and partners in the valley, this event helps us build trust and awareness. It's something we all look forward to every year, and it's a real community-builder.”
- Laurie Edward, BCF Executive Director
LOCALS DAY 2023
December 3 is Locals Day at the Banff Gondola. Locals receive admission to the Banff Gondola’s Mountaintop Christmas or Nightrise by donation to the Pursuit Community Fund, operated in partnership with the BCF. We'll also be accepting optional non-perishable food items to fill a Open Top Tour coach for the Banff Food Bank.
Learn more and reserve in advance.
