Community foundation grants nearly $160K across East Kootenay

The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) says it reached a new high in giving in 2026, distributing nearly $160,000 to local non-profits, scholarships and endowment growth.

According to CFKR, more than $135,000 was granted in 2026 to 67 community projects, along with six scholarships and a community volunteer award.

The organization says an additional $23,000 was reinvested into 18 endowment funds to support future granting.

“In 2026, we’re excited to celebrate the ongoing giving from our 48 permanently invested endowment funds, including the inaugural disbursements from our newest endowments: the Elk Valley and Area Hospice Legacy Fund and the Cranbrook Food Bank Society Legacy Fund,” said CFKR executive director Lynnette Wray.

“For our 2026 granting process, we incorporated several innovations, including a move towards trust-based philanthropy through a new online form, streamlined questions, and a shorter application period.”

“These improvements were very well-received by the applicants,” Wray added.

The foundation says funding was distributed across the region, including the municipalities of Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie and Cranbrook.

In Cranbrook and surrounding areas, CFKR says more than $35,000 was granted to 19 initiatives, supporting projects in areas including arts programming, seniors services and recreation.

CFKR says it will also be awarding $6,100 in scholarships later this year.

Since its founding, CFKR says it has distributed more than $1 million to more than 300 non-profit projects across the region.