Community

We support Basin communities as they work with residents to identify and achieve their collective priorities. By helping communities and community groups develop projects, access funds and obtain resources, we enable them to take action on issues and opportunities.

What's New

Upgrades To More Outdoor Community Spaces December 16, 2021 - Nine enhancement and improvement projects around the Basin Year-round, people in the Columbia Basin get together outside to enjoy themselves and connect with each other. Eight communities are now undertaking nine projects to make public spaces even more inviting and […]

Selkirk College Opens Childcare Centre on Silver King Campus November 9, 2021 - Increased access to quality licensed child care on Selkirk College’s Silver King Campus in Nelson will assist families in accomplishing a proper balance that helps build stronger communities. Opened to families in September, the new Silver King Childcare Centre provides 24 new spaces for both Selkirk College students and the general community.

New Wage and Training Subsidies for Child Care Providers September 16, 2021 - Columbia Basin Trust strengthens recruitment and retention of ECEs Columbia Basin Trust is launching two new programs focused on improving the quality of child care and strengthening the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) workforce in the Columbia Basin with wage and […]

View all Community articles.

Funding

Our Community Outdoor Revitalization Grants help communities to create, restore or enhance outdoor multi-use spaces that support community gathering and programming.
Our Community Development Program can provide funding, advice and other resources to help you see your project come to life.
Through our Community Initiatives and Affected Areas Programs, communities themselves select local projects for funding.
Our Food Access and Recovery Grants support community-led projects that increase access to affordable, quality, local food, with particular emphasis on supporting vulnerable populations.
Our Sponsorship program can provide a small amount of financial help to your community event or activity.
If you are an organization wanting to create and deliver campaigns and events designed to encourage people in the Basin to buy, stay and play local, the Buy Local Grants may be able to help.
If your organization has a project idea that creates jobs related to wildfire risk reduction you may be eligible for the Crown Land Wildfire Risk Reduction Program – Columbia Basin Economic Recovery Initiative.

Other Support

The Trust’s Land Acquisition Grants support local governments, First Nations communities and non-profit organizations to acquire lands for public purposes including recreational and cultural values. The program recognizes that land acquisition may include the purchase of either land, buildings or land-based infrastructure. For more information email landgrants@ourtrust.org.
If you need support making your non-profit organization stronger, our Non-profit Advisors Program can help you increase capacity, become more sustainable and become more efficient.
Click here to download a directory of external grants that may be applicable to your work.

Kaylyn Gervais
Manager, Community Relationships East
kgervais@ourtrust.org
250.426.8816
Location: Cranbrook

Lynda Lafleur
Manager, Community Relationships North
llafleur@ourtrust.org
250.265.9937
Location: Nakusp

Kelvin Saldern
Manager, Community Relationships West
ksaldern@ourtrust.org
250.304.1622
Location: Castlegar

Past Programs

The Community Technology Program helped 25 communities create tech-enabled spaces where residents can access technology to explore, connect and create in the digital world. This program provided funding and support to increase opportunities for Basin residents to enhance their digital literacy and use the latest technology such as 3D printers, robotics kits, recording studio equipment, and computers with specialized software.

Here are examples of past projects that have been approved for grants:

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