Supporting an active, vibrant, and healthy community.
Our donations support projects that promote active lifestyles, enhance education opportunities, and nurture strong connections within our community. These programs and initiatives make the Bow Valley a better place for people to live, raise families, and enjoy mountain life.
We will fund initiatives that:
• Create opportunities to embrace our mountain culture, education, and recreation
• Make our community a positive place to build a career, live, and raise a family
• Positively impact our social service and community networks
• Improve the visitor experience
• Enhance infrastructure to beautify public areas and promote active transportation.
Our Impact
Since 2013, the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation has invested over $23,775,000
in the Bow Valley communities.
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We are pleased to extend our support for Take Me Outside with a new three-year commitment that promotes student well-being, encourages physical activity, and enhances learning by being outdoors.
❄ This support includes the annual Take Me Outside Winter Challenge, which invites educators and learners to get outside from February 2 to 13 and embrace the excitement of winter.
🌱 By getting outside, students gain more than fresh air, they build a foundation to support well-being and lifelong learning.
📸 Take Me Outside + participants
Building a caring, connected community starts with showing up for one another, especially in the colder months ❄️
Here’s what @bowvalleyshelter is up to this winter:
• Collecting new and gently used sleeping bags in January 🛏️
• Hosting their next Clothing & Gear Swap on February 6 and 7 👕
• Providing ongoing support for people who are unhoused or housing insecure 🩵
We’re proud to support this vital organization that helps build a strong and inclusive Bow Valley for everyone. Learn more @bowvalleyshelter
Trails are a big part of what makes the Bow Valley such a special place to call home. From daily walks and bike rides to extended trips into the backcountry, these trails are central to how we experience and enjoy the valley 🚲
The Government of Alberta is seeking public input on the draft Canmore Area Trails Master Plan, which will guide how trails are managed on crown land across the Bow Valley 🌲
This is an important initiative, and feedback from residents and trail users is essential to ensure the plan reflects how people experience the mountains 🏔
Don’t miss your chance to have your say—feedback is open until January 21, 2026.
📸 École Notre-Dame des Monts
Bow Valley organizations can get up to $15,000 for projects that are driving change, strengthening the charitable sector and engaging citizens 🏔️
Banff Canmore Foundation’s Community Grants program supports initiatives from Lake Louise to Mînî Thnî with CRA charitable status. In 2025, 25 organizations received a total of $200,000.
Apply by next Thursday, January 15. For more details check out @banffcanmorefoundation
Ji Won Baxter talked to us about the change Banff Food & Friends is making in the Banff community—bringing people of all ages together for meals and conversation 🍲
Watch the Inspiring Change videos at the top of our profile.
Reflecting on 2025… and the people doing inspiring work in our community 🌟
Featuring:
* Cathy Geisler, Executive Director, Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation
* Ji Won Baxter, @banff.foodandfriends
* Katie Leaf, @artsplacecanmore
* Jeff O’Leary, @bvmba_1993
* Lindsay Jentzel, @banffchildcarecentre_
In 2025, we proudly supported over 30 organizations making meaningful change in the Bow Valley 🩵
We talked to Jeffrey Carpenter about how funding support helps the Bow Valley Pride Network create safer, more inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks to thrive. 🏳️🌈
Watch the Inspiring Change videos at the top of our profile.
