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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Every family wants to know their child has the support and opportunities they need to succeed at school.
This year, the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation is donating $95,000 to Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy, marking our second year of support 🏫
“We are filled with gratitude for the incredible support we receive from the Pauw Foundation,” said Ryan Fox, Principal at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy.
“Thanks to their generous contributions we have been able to remove barriers and make new opportunities available for all our students. Every student at Our Lady of the Snows can learn outdoors, gain new experiences in the mountains, and grow physically and mentally. With the support of the Pauw Foundation OLS is able to better support each of our students living life to the fullest.” 🏔️
Through this continued support, we are investing in students, supporting families, and helping strengthen education across the Bow Valley.
Grade 8 students from across the Bow Valley are starting the school year with a new outdoor adventure 🌳
From September 16 to 18, more than 160 students from Banff, Canmore, and Exshaw will kick off a year-long outdoor leadership program offered by Canadian Rockies Public Schools (@crpschools).
Working with Trevor Julian, Executive Director of @friendsofkananaskis, CRPS students will meet peers from other schools and build leadership, communication, and teamwork skills 🤝
Supported by the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation, the program reflects CRPS’s commitment to experiential education and learning beyond the classroom.
Great news for Bow Valley families!
The Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation is donating $1.1 million to Canadian Rockies Public Schools, bringing our support for CRPS to more than $7 million since 2013.
This donation will help fund student support services, mental health initiatives and innovative educational programming, reaching students across the division and creating more opportunities to learn, grow and thrive 📚 🌱
“We are grateful to the Pauw Foundation for their visionary and ongoing commitment to CRPS students,” said Debbie McKibbin, Superintendent of Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS).
“The Pauw Foundation’s continuous support empowers our school division to nurture students’ growth from athletic opportunities and outdoor experiential learning to mental health supports and scholarships. This generous donation ensures that every student has the tools, the support, and the opportunity to thrive both inside and outside the classroom."
Strong schools help build strong communities. We are pleased to continue this partnership and invest in the students and families who make the Bow Valley such a special place to live ⛰️
As Bow Valley families start thinking about heading back to school, many local kids are also looking forward to getting back to the sports they love.
For local kids, that means getting back on the court, into the pool, onto the field, and wherever else they love to play ⚾
Through the @bowvalleysportcouncil True Sport Youth Fund, the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation donated a record $100,000 to 18 local organizations this year. The funding helps reduce financial barriers and gives more young people the chance to play, learn new skills, make friends, and be part of a team 🏐
Here’s to a great fall season!
A full-circle moment for Wim last week!
Wim visited the future Wim Pauw Centre for Hospitality and Tourism at @ywcabanff to see the progress firsthand. Decades ago, as an electrician, he installed the backup generator, boiler and electrical panel when the space housed the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital 🛠️
Wim had fun pointing out his original work and hearing how today’s teams are challenged to interpret "old-school pencil sketches" to navigate existing systems.
Now, Wim’s donation is helping transform the space into a place where people can build careers in hospitality 🌟
Working closely with @ywcabanff and @sait, the Centre will expand access to education and career opportunities in the hospitality sector, with the first cohort expected in early 2028.
It’s exciting to see Wim’s vision taking shape. Stay tuned for more updates.
The Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation is continuing its support for the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley with a $22,000 donation toward community and outdoor education programming 🌱
Through education, outreach, and collaboration, @biosphere.institute helps youth learn more about climate, wildlife, and biodiversity.
Their work reflects our commitment to education, mountain culture, and strong community connections.
Strong communities are built on connection—both in town and in the mountains.
@banfftown`s MountainLIFE program brings people together to get outside, stay active, and connect through guided outdoor experiences designed for all abilities 🏔️
It`s about building friendships, having fun, and creating a stronger community, all while exploring Banff and beyond.
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The Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation supports programs that strengthen the Bow Valley. We invest in health, well-being, and opportunities for people to connect with one another and the places they call home.
Don’t miss your chance to help us support @spiritnorthxc!
There are four days left to vote in the Defender Service Awards. If Spirit North wins, they’d get a customized Defender 130 and extra funding, which would help their Community Program Leaders travel further to northern communities and bring sport, play, and land-based programming to more Indigenous youth.
You can vote once a day until Friday, August 14, at 11:59 p.m. ET. ✔️
