The newly re-minted Banff Canmore Community Foundation is accepting grant applications from community groups and with a very important change this year – all types of grants will be considered throughout the region.
While as the Banff Community Foundation the organization had dedicated educational grants that included Canmore and Exshaw and after the flood they supported the region – the new name and expanded focus means all areas of grant funding are open for applications according to executive director Lorraine Widmer-Carson.
“The Banff Canmore Community Foundation, like all community foundations, we call it a 360 degree grant maker,” Widmer-Carson said. “That means we take a full circle view of the community and the seven sectors we have identified since day one are arts, education, environment, health, heritage, recreation and social services.”
Some donor to the foundation can restrict how funds are spent, but she said BCCF is fortunate to have funds available for grants in all those areas in a fairly balanced way.
From 2004-15 the foundation has reinvested $800,000 into the community in a variety of projects and programs with the average grant being $3,600. Applicants must be a qualified done as defined under the Income Tax Act – or can exist under the umbrella of another organization that meets that definition.
This year BCCF hopes to distribute $80,000 as a goal throughout the valley and the deadline for application is Sept. 30.
There are some restrictions. For example grants will not be made towards operating costs or capital deficits or team sponsorship. Go to www.banffcf.org for more information and to download the form.
“We are really proud to be able to grant funds to use for community priorities,” Widmer-Carson said, adding the foundation is open to consider a variety of proposals that go toward building a stronger community. “Do you want to award grants to touch a whole bunch of lives, or a few vulnerable people at the edges? And my answer is yes. We want to grant for impact, but also recognize a few dollars well placed in a vulnerable life has an impact as well.”
Meanwhile with an expanded geographic region and a new office location on Banff Avenue, Widmer-Carson said the foundation is launching a research project to bring in experts to help it understand the priorities of the broader regional context.
