Grants

The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) stewards a total of approximately $4 million in 45 permanently invested funds

Since 2003, thanks to the income earned from our endowment funds as well as external project funding, CFKR has granted over $1 million to more than 300 local non-profit projects in our communities of Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie, Cranbrook, and the surrounding rural areas.

CFKR takes a broad and inclusive view of what a community is, providing grants to the widest possible range of organizations and initiatives, including the following areas of interest:

  • Animal Welfare
  • Arts, Culture, and Heritage
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Mental Health and Addictions
  • Outdoor Recreation, Physical Activity, and Sports
  • Programs for Seniors
  • Social and Health Services

For Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie, and Cranbrook

  • CFKR’s 2024 Grant Application Process opens January 1, 2024 and closes February 15, 2024.
  • Eligible projects will directly benefit the community and will effectively utilize a grant ranging from a few hundred dollars up to $2,000.
  • 2024 Grant Application Guidelines: Click Here
    • Please begin by carefully reviewing the grant application guidelines
  • 2024 Grant Application: Click Here
    • Please Note:
      • Step 1: Download the application to your computer
      • Step 2:  Fill in the form, saving often

SPECIAL NOTES:

  • CFKR is required to grant to “qualified donees”, as defined by the CRA.
    • When a grant applicant is a registered BC non-profit society but not a qualified donee, the applicant can partner with a qualified donee in order to be eligible to apply for a grant.
    • Qualified donees include: CRA-registered charities, CRA-registered Canadian amateur athletic associations, CRA-registered housing corporation resident in Canada constituted exclusively to provide low-cost housing for the aged, CRA-registered Canadian municipalities, and CRA-registered municipal or public bodies (e.g. First Nations) performing a function of government in Canada.
    • To find the list of CRA-qualified donees in your community:
    • If a non-qualified donee has exhausted the list of local qualified donees, please contact Lynnette Wray (Email: [email protected]; Phone: 250-426-1119) no later than January 29, 2024 to explore other potential options
  • Please click this link to see an example of the T3010 Registered Charity Information Return Detail Page, which is required to confirm status as a qualified donee
  • Please click this link for the agency agreement template, to be used when a registered BC non-profit society partners with a qualified donee, in order to be eligible to apply for a grant

CFKR-Elkford Community Fund: 

  • The Elkford Community Fund will consider grant applications from eligible organizations within the District of Elkford and the surrounding rural area.
  • Elkford Qualified Donees: Elkford_QDs_List_20231218
  • For more information, please contact Terry Vandale, Elkford Community Fund Steering Committee Chair, by phone (250-425-5700) or email ([email protected])

CFKR-Sparwood Community Fund: 

  • The Sparwood Community Fund will consider grant applications from eligible organizations within the District of Sparwood and the surrounding rural area.
  • Sparwood Qualified Donees: Sparwood_QDs_List_20231218 
  • For more information, please contact Beverley MacNaughton, Sparwood Community Fund Steering Committee Chair, by phone (250-425-2423) or email ([email protected])

CFKR-Fernie Community Fund

  • The Fernie Community Fund will consider grant applications from eligible organizations within the City of Fernie, east to Hosmer, and west to Elko, .
  • Fernie Qualified Donees: Fernie_QDs_List_20231218
  • For more information, please contact Courtney Baker, Fernie Community Fund Steering Committee Member, by phone (250-423-8835) or email ([email protected]).

CFKR-Cranbrook Funds:


Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies Delivers $226,000 to Four Community Service Organizations Through the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund

 

The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) is pleased to officially announce $226,000 in funding to support four projects in the East Kootenay through the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund, thanks to funding from Employment and Social Development Canada.

The Community Services Recovery Fund is a one-time investment of $400 million by the Government of Canada to help Community Service Organizations (charities, non-profits, and Indigenous governing bodies) in Canada to adapt, modernize, and be better equipped to improve the effectiveness, accessibility, and sustainability of the community services that they provide, through the pandemic recovery and beyond.

 

The following projects are being supported in the East Kootenay Region:

  • $67,100 was invested to fund the Golden Food Bank Society’s project to implement a community engagement strategy, strengthen the organization through solid policies, revamped operating structures, investment in staff and board, and enhance communication regarding strategies for long-term food security in the community
  • $28,680 was invested to fund the Fernie Women’s Resource and Drop-In Centre’s project to improve the use of social media, allowing multiple agencies to share accurate information about their services, providing education and prevention tools to an increasingly online community
  • $38,605 was invested in Cranbrook to fund the East Kootenay Addiction Services Society’s project to update digital systems, including the client database, clinical reporting/scheduling program, HR systems, and funding strategies, which will help to reduce barriers to services, ensure staff health and safety, and enhance the flexibility and resiliency of the organization
  • $91,615 was invested in Cranbrook to fund the Community Connections Society of Southeast BC’s project to digitally transform the organization by analyzing and improving processes and systems and enhancing the SharePoint/cloud system;
    • Central intake, key performance indicators, collecting feedback (staff/client/stakeholders), and related staff trainings will create efficiencies and workflows that better serve staff and community.

 The Government of Canada is delivering the CSRF through three National Funders (Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada). 

For more details, please see our press release.

 


Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies takes part in the Community Services Recovery Fund – a $400 million investment in Community Services Organizations 

Now more than ever, Community Service Organizations (charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies) are playing a key role in addressing persistent and complex social problems faced by all Canadians. The Community Services Recovery Fund is a $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support charities, non-profits, and Indigenous Governing Bodies as they focus on how to adapt their organizations for pandemic recovery.

The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies is proud to be working with community foundations across Canada as part of the Community Services Recovery Fund. This fund is a collaboration between the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, and United Way Centraide Canada to provide funding to Community Service Organizations, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies or Registered Charities located in Canada. The Community Services Recovery Fund responds to what Community Service Organizations need right now and supports organizations as they adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

Applications opened on January 6, 2023, and non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies, with an application deadline of February 21, 2023.  Visit www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca to find out more. 


Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies takes part in a new Healthy Communities Initiative 

COVID-19 has seriously impacted our access and use of public spaces which are a big part of what makes our communities safe, vibrant, and connected.

The Healthy Communities Initiative is a $31 million investment from the Government of Canada to support communities as they create and adapt public spaces to respond to the new realities of COVID-19.  The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies is proud to be working with Community Foundations of Canada, the Government of Canada, and other community foundations in the BC-Southern region to provide $1.5 million of funding to support organizations that are helping people to connect and access public spaces safely while still respecting public health measures.

Round 1 applications were accepted from February 9, 2021 to March 9, 2021. The recipients of Round 1 funding in the BC Southern Hub have now been announced. 

Round 2 applications were accepted from May 14, 2021 to June 25, 2021. Visit https://www.cfso.net/chci/ to find out more. 

                     

 

 

 

 

 

 


COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE KOOTENAY ROCKIES GRANTS $50,000 THROUGH ROUND 2 OF THE EMERGENCY COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUND

The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) is proud to have partnered with Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) and the Government of Canada to deliver the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). ECSF’s goal is to provide support to charities and non-profit organizations that are serving vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Canadian charities and non-profit organizations play a vital role in our communities and continue to do so in the face of real challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our government is pleased to support these organizations through the Emergency Community Support Fund so that they can continue to help the most vulnerable members of our communities during these difficult times.” – Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Thanks to the first round of ECSF funding, CFKR invested over $100,000 in ten local charities/qualified donees, during the late spring and early summer of 2020.

ECSF’s Round 2 launched on October 5, 2020. With Round 2, CFKR has invested an additional $50,000 through the ECSF towards local charities and other qualified donees that are supporting populations experiencing heightened vulnerability due to COVID-19.

CFKR is very pleased to announce that ECSF has invested in the following Round 2 projects, with four in the Elk Valley and four in Cranbrook:

  • $5,000.00: Yaq’it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it (Tobacco Plains Indian Band)’s Covid-19 food security project
  • $5,000.00: Elk Valley Seniors Housing Society’s project to re-open its dining room (Sparwood)
  • $5,000: Rocky Mountain Village Auxiliary Society’s project to provide free wifi for residents, family, and visitors (Fernie)
  • $5,000: Fernie Public Library Association’s project to provide a safe, accessible, and welcoming outdoor space
  • $1,000: Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce’s computer donation program
  • $9,000: Cranbrook Salvation Army’s weekend drop-in warming centre
  • $10,000: ANKORS AIDS Network, Outreach & Support Society’s software library for harm reduction drug-checking program:
  • $10,000: Cranbrook Food Bank’s covered roof for client pick-up area at its new location

CFKR has now granted its full ECSF-Round 2 allotment of $50,000 to qualified donees in the Elk Valley, Cranbrook, and the surrounding rural areas. CFKR is no longer accepting applications for this program.

“CFKR is deeply honoured to have brought a total of over $150,000 in ECSF funds to our communities. These funds have provided much-needed support to the charities, qualified donees, and First Nations governments that have been working tirelessly to assist our most vulnerable residents, during the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated Lynnette Wray, CFKR Executive Director.

Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) is one of three partners activating the Emergency Community Support Fund, along with the Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada. CFC, in partnership with 170 community foundations in Round 2, is flowing a portion of the total $350M Fund to support the over 85,000 registered charities in Canada. With the completion of Round 2, funds for ECSF have now been exhausted. CFC continues to advocate for broader recovery and stabilization support for the charitable sector.

 

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund:

 

 

 

 

 


CFKR grants over $100,000 in Round 1 of the Emergency Community Support Fund

CFKR is proud to have partnered with Community Foundations of Canada and the Government of Canada to deliver the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) in Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie, Cranbrook, and the surrounding rural areas, in order to support our most vulnerable citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following ECSF’s launch on May 19, 2020, we are very pleased to report that CFKR has granted the full $109,120 available to our communities through this program. CFKR is no longer accepting applications for this program.

The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) has awarded $109,120 in grants to ten local charities/qualified donees, to support residents who are most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. These grants are part of the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF), funded by the Government of Canada.

The grants are as follows:

  • Ktunaxa Nation Council Society – Outreach, support, and communications: $35,000
  • Elkford Women’s Task Force Society – Wage costs for COVID-19 staffing requirements at Elkford Play School: $10,000
  • Yaq̓it ʔaknuqⱡi ‘it (Tobacco Plains) – Outreach, support, and communications: $15,000
  • The Salvation Army Kootenay Valley Community Church/Cranbrook Salvation Army – Equipment for food security and home delivery of meals: $6,647
  • Blue Lake Forest Education Society – COVID-19 Day Camp in Cranbrook: $5,060
  • Blue Lake Forest Education Society – COVID-19 Day Camp in Fernie: $6,515
  • Trinity Lodge in Fernie – COVID-19 cleaning strategy: $7,860
  • Community Connections Society of Southeast BC – Office renovations and technology for communications: $19,910
  • BC SPCA/EK SPCA – Emergency pet food and board: $2,000
  • SQx Danza – Dance program at the Jaffray school: $1,128

      

Since the start of the pandemic, charities and non-profit organizations have been leading the charge to assist those who need it most in the fight against COVID-19. We know the need for funding is still significant. If you would like to be notified if any additional funding becomes available through ECSF, please fill out this form

We invite you to explore opportunities with the other ECSF funding intermediaries in your community. More information about other national funders is available here

We invite you to follow Community Foundations of Canada’s website for further updates as well. 

Launched on May 19, 2020, the Government of Canada’s new Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) aims to provide additional and much-needed assistance to charities and non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations. The Government of Canada is flowing funds through national networks, including  Community Foundations of Canada(CFC), United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross.

Learn more about the program and find out if your organization is eligible to apply: https://www.communityfoundations.ca/initiatives/emergency-community-support-fund/

Infographic Who Should Apply_Where CRC CFC UWCC

 

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund:

 

 


RBC FUTURE LAUNCH COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

 

 

CFKR and RBC Foundation Award $28,000 to Youth-Led Projects

In conjunction with National Philanthropy Day on November 15, 2019, the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies and RBC Foundation were thrilled to announce that they have provided a total of $28,000 in grants to local, youth-led projects.

 

In Cranbrook, $10,500 has been granted to the June 2020 BC Performing Arts Festival, which will be held in Cranbrook, and $4500 has been granted to an arthritis research project through the East Kootenay Foundation for Health.

“It’s so exciting to receive this support to help our communities. Thank you to the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies and RBC Foundation for recognizing the impact young leaders can make,” said Mya Robinson, youth leader with the BC Performing Arts Festival in Cranbrook.

 

 

In the Elk Valley, $5000 has been awarded to the Elkford Youth Action Network for a terrain park on the local ski hill, $3,000 to the Sparwood Youth Action Network for a gardening project at Sparwood Secondary School, and $5,000 to the Fernie Youth Action Network for a space in the Fernie Heritage Library, tailored to teens.

Justin Hart, Elkford Youth Action Network leader, added, “These grants are going to make a real difference in our communities, by adding to our community resources and by developing leadership skills among our local youth.”

 

As part of the RBC Future Launch Community Challenge, grants like these are being made to youth-led projects in 150 small and medium sized communities across Canada.

“The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies is so pleased to partner with RBC Foundation to bring these funds and this opportunity to our region,” stated Michele Bates, CFKR Board President.

The goal of the RBC Future Launch program is to shift the power to young leaders making positive social or environmental change in their communities, while gaining valuable skills and experience.

“Young people are not future leaders — they are leading social and environmental change right now. We are honoured to play a role in the bold change that youth are leading across the country through this national initiative with RBC,” said Andrew Chunilall, CEO of Community Foundations of Canada.

“RBC is committed to the power, vision, and potential of youth, and the important role they play in their communities,” said Angela Gagne, RBC Branch Manager-Sparwood.

Karl Sterk, RBC Branch Manager-Cranbrook added, “We are thrilled to see the results of this important partnership with the Community Foundations of Canada, supporting positive, youth-led projects in communities across the country.”

About RBC Future Launch Community Challenge

The RBC Future Launch Community Challenge is hosted by Community Foundations of Canada and participating community foundations and is made possible thanks to a $5M donation from RBC Foundation. It is part of RBC Future Launch, a commitment by RBC and the RBC Foundation to empower Canadian youth for the jobs of tomorrow. Over the next 10 years, RBC Future Launch is dedicating $500 million to help young people access meaningful employment through practical work experience, skills development opportunities, networking solutions and mental well-being supports and services.

The RBC Future Launch Community Challenge is a partnership between RBC, Community Foundations of Canada (CFC), and local community foundations, including CFKR. This initiative will enable youth to apply for funding to support their bold ideas to address urgent community priorities. It is an opportunity for young people to lead, learn new skills, gain experience, and build relationships in their local communities — all things that will help them prepare for the future of work. CFKR will also bring youth and community members together for ‘Vital Conversations,’ opportunities for community dialogue focused on creating a better future together.

Through the RBC Future Launch Community Challenge, participating community foundations across Canada will make grants and learning opportunities available to youth-led initiatives in 150 communities, from coast to coast to coast. The RBC Future Launch Community Challenge aims to empower Canadian youth for the jobs and community realities of the future.