There’s a new group of seven at work in the Bow Valley.
While the original Group of Seven consisted of groundbreaking artists, the new group is the heart of the Banff Canmore Community Foundation’s Community Investment Program.
The program features businesses that have values related to social responsibility or are in interested in community leadership.
At a program launch on Nov. 12 in Banff, the first seven corporate partners to take part were announced, including: Banff Avenue Brewing, Brewster Travel Canada, Lafarge, Lake Louise Ski Area, Patagonia Banff, the Pauw Foundation and the RBC Foundation.
Foundation chair Bill Fisher announced creation of the program, saying, “the foundation is delighted to announce the first seven corporate partners in our Community Investment Program.
“The program means that the foundation will continue offering community grants at increasing levels of support in the years to come. By pooling the gifts of many and supplementing gifts with income earned from the community endowment fund, the foundation is set to announce over $100,000 in new investments on Dec. 1 during the foundation’s community grants reception.
“In addition to growing our capacity as a grant-maker, this program will help the foundation maintain and operate a meeting space for groups to meet without paying a user fee.
“Our agreement with Parks Canada helps keep operating costs low and the Community Investment Program will help us deliver on our commitment.”
The Banff Canmore Community Foundation facilitates collaborative philanthropy. It foundation leverages its love of community with investments that support local priorities and make meaningful connections. BCCF encourages programs and projects that meet the needs and priorities of people from Lake Louise to Exshaw, with outreach to Morley and Kananaskis.
