The Rotary Club of Canmore has awarded $65,500 in community grants to 24 local organizations, supporting a variety of youth, environmental, and community service projects throughout the Bow Valley. The funding, distributed in 2026, continues the club’s long-standing tradition of backing local initiatives that benefit residents in Canmore and the surrounding region, including the Municipal District of Bighorn and Kananaskis.
Among the groups receiving support this year are the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley for their Earth Talks environmental workshops, and the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation for youth arts and music programming. Other recipients include the Rocky Mountain Adaptive Sports Centre, which received funding for its No Limits summer camp, and the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley, which is using the grant to assist with their hot meals program.
Founded in 1991, the club has raised more than $3 million for local and international projects over the past 35 years. These grants are managed by the Canmore Rotary Club Charitable Foundation, which was established in 2000. Funds for these initiatives are primarily raised through two major events: the Festival of Trees held in December and the Golf Charity Classic held in June.
Rob Currie currently serves as the club president for the 2025-2026 term, with Lynda Damen leading the community services committee. The club encourages registered charities and non-profit organizations to apply for the next round of funding, which offers a maximum grant of $5,000 per application. The deadline for the next cycle is January 15, 2027.
Community members interested in the club’s work can attend weekly meetings held every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at the Canmore Golf and Curling Club, located at 2000 8th Avenue in Canmore.
