Community Grants

Community organizations and not-for-profit events and societies that promote environmental stewardship, a sense of belonging, community affordability, and equity, inclusion, and diversity are eligible for funding.

Applications will be considered eligible if: 

• The application adheres to the Town of Canmore Community Grants Policy
• Application documentation is submitted before the posted deadline
• The applicant is a community organization or not-for-profit event/society that promotes environmental stewardship, a sense of belonging, community affordability, and equity, inclusion, and diversity
• The community organization includes four or more committee members (or project volunteers)
• The event is not considered a major event
• The organization has met the responsibilities of a previously provided grant
• Organizations must demonstrate good financial standing

Local and Regional events are eligible for funding.

Regional Events are defined as events that draw provincial and/or national participants and audiences. These events typically increase economic activity and community vibrancy during the event. Regional events have limited international participation and limited international and national media coverage.

Local Events are defined as events that are organized by local community members, for local community members. Local events increase community vibrancy and create a sense of belonging.

Yes. A group of individuals with a shared interest who come together to further a mission are eligible to apply for funding. Community organizations are not societies, non-profit or for-profit organizations. To be considered a community organization, the group must contain at least four community members and/or project volunteers.

Applications will be reviewed and ranked by the Community Grant Selection Committee. 

Successful projects or initiatives are eligible for up to $5,000 in funding. 

Applications that promote environmental stewardship, that create a sense of belonging, that increase community affordability, and that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion will be ranked higher.

Successful applications

• Illustrate how the proposed project/initiative will impact community. Connecting the project/initiative with Council's strategic goals of livability, environment, and relationships is an asset;
• Demonstrate how the project will promote equity, diversity, and inclusion; sense of belonging; community affordability; and environmental stewardship.

Note: In kind contributions can include volunteer hours reimbursed at $32.75/hour.

To understand how your application will be evaluated, we recommend that you review the eligibility criteria below. Scoring for each criteria will be evaluated upon the following:

• 0 Points Disagree: Applicant has provided no evidence of activities that will meet the eligibility criteria
• 1 Point Neutral: Applicant's current activities align with eligibility criteria but provide no additional actions to further promote the eligibility criteria
• 2 Points Agree: Applicant has incorporated activities that will promote eligibility criteria, and they have planted the seed for additional work in this specific criteria area

• Description of grant allocation
• Statement of impact: a brief synopsis of how the organization served community (500 words or less)
• Picture describing initiative/event that can be publicly shared
• Approximate number of community members who participated in, or benefitted from, the event/initiative 

Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley – Harnessing the Power of Food

Bow Valley Adult Learning Centre – Community capacity building workshops

Bow Valley Equine Adaptive Association (BVEA) – BVEA programming

Bow Valley Kayak Club – Women in Kayaks

Canmore Folk Music Festival – Festival Friday

Canmore Museum – Community programming at the Barracks Gardens

Canmore Pride Society – Monthly Make and Mingle

Canmore Young Adults Network (CYAN) – 'How-to' series: Education workshops with local businesses

Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley – Community clothing and gear swaps

Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley – Community Food Cupboard pilot program

Ralph Connor United Church – Outfit upper room for community learning

Rocky Mountain Adaptive – Summer staff training and certification

Three Sisters Scottish Festival – Canmore Highland Games

Ukrainian Canadian Congress Bow Valley Association – United Fest 2025