The Community Fund consists of donations, large and small, from a variety of sources – individuals, corporations and foundations. Donations to this fund give the Foundation the greatest flexibility to respond to current community needs. A Named Fund within the Community Fund can be established with a minimum contribution of $5,000.
These funds give the Foundation the greatest flexibility to respond to current community needs by providing grants to charities throughout the Columbia Valley– Spillimacheen to Canal Flats.
Established in June 2022. Income from the endowed funds will be distributed to the areas of greatest need in the community.
Established in January 2010. This fund was established to hold the donation from the Kootenay Savings Foundation in perpetuity. Income from the endowed funds will be distributed in consultation with Kootenay Savings Foundation to community priorities in education, health, social, culture, environment and economic non-for-profit priorities.
These funds appeal to donors interested in creating their own family foundation as they enable the donor to have ongoing participation in the selection of charities benefiting from their fund. These funds can be established with a minimum donation of $25,000, which can be gifted on an annual or monthly basis over a 5 year period.
Donors are passionate about their causes that matter to them, ranging from education and the environment to children, the arts, culture and more. Since the Foundation supports all charitable sectors we have the ability to connect donors’ passions with local organizations through the creation of Field-of-Interest Funds. These funds can be established with a minimum donation of $10,000, which can be gifted on an annual or monthly basis over a 5 year period.
Established in December 2002. Income from this fund will be distributed to the community of Canal Flats, as a first priority, in areas of literacy for children and adults, as well as women’s services and medical and health services.
Established in February 2004. Income from this fund will be distributed to provide scholarships and bursaries to youth attending training and education at recognized post-secondary institutions.
Established in December 2001. Income from this endowment fund will be distributed to enhance the quality of life of families in the Fairmont Hot Springs area.
Established in October 2006 in honour of Robert Bidder. Income from this fund will be distributed to provide bursaries to youth attending training and education at recognized post-secondary institutions.
Established in 2017, income from this fund supports Columbia Valley students entering post-secondary education, with particular focus on students pursuing trades and technical schooling.
Established in 2017 in memory of John; a dedicated family man with a love for adventure and community. This fund will provide funding to support Freestyle Panorama Ski Club skiers.
Established in 2019. Income from this fund to provide a bursary to Columbia Valley youth pursuing an education in Fine Arts.
Establishing in 2021 by the Rotary Club of Radium Hot Springs, this fund supports local mental health initiatives. 50% of donations are allocated to short-term needs (flow-through funds), and 50% of donations are allocated to long-term sustainable funding (endowment).
These funds support particular agencies or organizations, as named by the donor, in perpetuity. These funds can be established with a minimum donation of $10,000, which can be gifted on an annual or monthly basis over a 5 year period.
Established in 2016, the income generated from long-term growth of the capital of this fund will be disbursed annually to Columbia Valley Arts Council, a charity whose purpose is to foster growth, awareness and appreciation of the arts in the Windermere/Columbia Valley.
Established in 2014 as an open fund. Income from this fund is used solely for enhancing programs of the Invermere Public Library through their vision of providing a welcoming community hub that meets the evolving literacy needs of our valley’s diverse population.
Established in 2015 as an open fund. Income from this fund will be directed to the Edgewater Recreation Society for the operation of Frank’s Rink.
The Edgewater Recreation Society is a non-profit society with a volunteer board of directors responsible for providing safe and affordable opportunities to anyone who wishes to use any of the venues.
For Environment. For Education. For Ever.
Established in 2018, this fund fosters environmental stewardship and sustainability by supporting environmental educators through the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN), a registered charity supporting environmental learning in the local region. CBEEN’s Wild Voices for Kids program is strongly rooted in the Columbia Valley and has been running for over 20 years.
Established in 2017 as an open fund. Income from this fund is used solely for enhancing programs of the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley. This charitable organization exists to assist individuals and families in recognizing and accepting death as a part of life. They support individuals and families during the dying and grieving process.
Established in 2017 as an open fund to enhance programs of the Radium Hot Springs Public Library. The Radium Hot Springs Public Library strives to offer programs and materials that reflect the needs and interests of the community and its service area, and will provide Library services and programs to inspire life stories and to promote literacy, education and community relationships.
Established in 2020 as an open fund. Income from this fund is used for to support the needs of the Columbia Valley Food Bank, a non-profit society serving residents from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen.
Established in 2020 as an open fund to commemorate and honor Vetran Jim Ashworth’s contribution to the Columbia Valley Food Bank. For his 101st birthday and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Burma star recipient Jim Ashworth walked 101 blocks raising funds for the local food bank. See more here on Jim’s walk. Income from this fund is used for to support the needs of the Columbia Valley Food Bank.
An open fund established in 2023 to support the Columbia Valley Greenways Trail Alliance in its work to promote sustainable trail systems that contribute to a vibrant healthy communities.
Established in 2021 as an open fund. Income from this fund is used solely for enhancing programs of the Lake Windermere Ambassadors Society. This charitable organization consists of a group of concerned citizens, from diverse backgrounds, interested in directing water monitoring and stewardship of Lake Windermere, located in the Columbia Valley. The Ambassadors conduct water monitoring and community outreach to realize our vision of Healthy Waters for Healthy Communities.
An open fund established in 2021 to support the Columbia Lake Stewardship Society in its work to preserve the ecological health and water supply of Columbia Lake for present and future generations through scientific investigation, collaboration and outreach – creating an example of the balance that can exist between nature and the needs of our communities.
These are temporary flow-through funds established to support a special project or event.
Established in 2021 as an open fund to support the fundraising efforts of the Radium Village Arts & Culture Society, the Woodcarver Park Fund is designated to the creation of Woodcarver Park on the former location of the ‘Home of a Thousand Faces’. Honoring the legacy of Rolf Heer, who donated his property to the Society following his passing in 2020, the park will include interpretive displays, ‘Tree House’, open grass area, seating, and a ‘river-of-logs’ to promote nature play. More information on the Woodcarver Park is available here.
Established in 2023, a fund to build Peaks Gymnastics Forever home. Did you know that Peaks Gymnastics has the largest youth sports membership in the Columbia Valley? A new facility will allow Peaks to continue to offer affordable programs that appeal to all spectrums of athletes and ages from the Parent and Tot program, to Parkour, to our competitive stream of athletes. We will offer additional opportunities for cross sport training! From dance, skating, hockey, skiing, CrossFit and more, many sports look to our gymnastics facility to support conditioning and skill development. We are almost there! We need your help in the final push to make this project a reality!