The Banff Community Foundation awarded "Environmental Kick-Start Grant"

The Banff Community Foundation has been selected to receive one of 15 "Environmental Kick Start" grants, offered by The McConnell Family Foundation/Community Foundations of Canada.

"With the success of this application, The Banff Community Foundation will develop an environmental plan that demonstrates leadership in two mutually inclusive areas: environmental stewardship and best business practices for foundations. This grant will help the foundation increase its environmental grant-making activity as well as increase fund development activity in the area of "Environment".

By virtue of our location inside Banff National Park, The Banff Community Foundation offers an unparalleled opportunity to become a leading example of a foundation that honours and plans for the artistic, educational, health, heritage, recreational, social and environmental values in an integrated, responsive and coherent manner. The foundation will be a catalyst for partners who wish to share environmental responsibilities with residents of Canada's first national park. Responsibilities that include the legal mandate "...Parks shall be maintained and made use of so as to leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations".

As a condition of accepting this grant: The Board of Directors have also accepted a challenge to secure an additional $30,000.00 of funds, designated "Environment" by 2010.

If you have an idea about how the Banff Community Foundation should undertake this plan, or if you would like to make a comment, please contact our office. 762-8549

from: www.cfc-fcc.ca/index.cfm

Fifteen new community foundations join the CFs and the Environment initiative

The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation and Community Foundations of Canada are pleased to announce the recipients of the second round of Kick Start grants for the CFs and the Environment program. The grants are to support foundations in launching or expanding their environment program and the 15 foundations are:

The Banff Community Foundation
Creston – Kootenay Foundation
The Deep River and District Community Foundation
Grand Bend Community Foundation
Fondation communautaire du grand Québec
Community Foundation Grey Bruce
The Community Foundation of Mississauga
The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia
Osprey Community Foundation
Community Foundation of Ottawa
The Perth and District Community Foundation
Community Foundation of Peterborough
Phoenix Foundation of the Boundary Communities
Toronto Community Foundation
West Vancouver Community Foundation