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 $14,000,000
in the Bow Valley communities.
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We are proud to support an important step forward for community wellness in the Bow Valley with a $1 million donation to help bring the Banff Community Wellness Centre to life. Located on the second floor of the Banff Public Health Building at the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital, this welcoming 4,100 square foot space will offer primary care, mental health services, social supports, treatment rooms and space for visiting specialists, including cardiologists, psychiatrists and pediatricians.
This Centre will make it easier for residents to find the care they need in a way that feels coordinated, compassionate and accessible. A healthier community begins with reliable support close to home, and we’re excited to help bring this vision to life for families and individuals across the Bow Valley.
We look forward to sharing more soon!
It’s been almost one year since the Town of Banff launched the Home Support Program 🏠
For many people, aging in place or living independently comes with hurdles—whether it’s keeping up with household tasks, preparing meals, or simply having someone to talk to. This initiative provides essential non-medical services to help residents remain in their homes and stay connected with their peers.
Last year we posted a story about the impact of the Home Support Program from real participants, with a few words from our Executive Director, Cathy Geisler. Read the story at the link in stories / bio.
Have you seen Iikaiksimatsa’pao’p (Grateful To Be On The Land) at @banffmountainfestival yet?
This short film shares the story of Cassie Ayoungman, founder of @soul.of.miistaki and member of the Siksika nation, as she embarks on a journey to bring the healing power of the mountains to her community ⛰️
We were fortunate to sit down with Cassie and learn the “why” behind Soul of Miistaki, and how the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation’s support is helping expand their programs for BIPOC individuals.
Read the full story in our bio / stories.
This shoulder season, try a new sport with your Pauw Pass 🏓 Whether it’s pickleball, shinny or yoga, your Pauw Pass provides you with access to unlimited drop-in activities with the @banfftown at a reduced cost.
The Town of Banff also offers “try-it” programs for activities like squash, cross-country skiing, and netball. Stay active and take advantage of all our community has to offer.
“I was inspired to start Soul of Miistaki by the lack of representation in outdoor spaces and by the experiences the mountains have given me,” says Cassie Ayoungman (@cass.aym), Niitsitapi climber, paramedic and founder of @soul.of.miistaki.
We talked to Cassie about the work of Soul of Miistaki, a non-profit that creates space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) individuals to connect with the land through outdoor activities like climbing, biking, and skiing 🧗🏾♀️
Cassie shared more about her vision for the organization and the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation’s support. Read the full story in our bio / stories.
Today is #TakeMeOutsideDay—a day of virtual and in-person events to encourage educators to take their learners outside of the classroom. Over half a million educators and students across North America will spend at least 1 hour outside today, learning, playing, and exploring.
We`re pleased to renew our ongoing commitment @take.me.outside to help facilitate workshops, speakers, and events for outdoor education. They`re helping kids and adults everywhere foster a greater connection to nature 🌳🌊
📸 École Motre Dame des Monts, @seaoutdooreducation, @banffchildcarecentre_
It’s great to see the @banff.skating.club take to the ice with their learn-to-skate class. With a grant from the True Sport Youth Fund, they debuted a new Community Skate Bank, allowing families to borrow skates free of charge and trade them in as children grow ⛸️
Dagny Dubois, President of the @banff.skating.club, shared her excitement: "Using our True Sport grant we were able to buy and sharpen 9 brand new pairs of skates and are in the midst of collecting second hand pairs from other places. Our Community Skate Bank lends out skates free of charge and parents can trade in when children need to size up. This means the sport of skating becomes more accessible to families and we can introduce kids to the love of skating! We have so much gratitude for all the community support that made this happen ♥️"
Learn more about the True Sport Youth Fund at the link in our stories.
Welcome to Banff, outdoor educators ✏️ @take.me.outside’s Outdoor Learning Leadership Conference is happening now through Saturday at the @banffcentre.
The conference brings together 250 school system leaders and administrators for professional development in outdoor learning.
We’re always proud to support Take Me Outside. Their innovative approach to education helps Canadian teachers bring their students outside, creating more resilient, environmentally conscious, and thoughtful adults.
📸 @take.me.outside
