Community Grant Recipients
August 2026
The ambitious people driving the organizations and initiatives in our community are a constant source of inspiration. We are forever grateful to live, work + play in a place where so many folks are invested in making change happen! As members, your continued support helps strengthen our community, contributing to the success of these incredible initiatives and projects.
Twice a year your Kootenay Co-op gives out grants valued up to $1,000, for projects or initiatives that help strengthen and support our local community. This summer $5,000 in community grants were awarded to 7 groups who are working on some amazing community projects!
The Kootenay School of the Arts Society (KSAS), a newly formed non-profit and steward of the Kootenay School of the Arts legacy, is dedicated to keeping the school’s spirit of creative excellence alive for future generations.
This $1,000 grant will support the Re:Create Kootenay Arts Festival. A community event, inspired by the outpouring of community support for Kootenay School of the Arts (KSA) programming to remain alive in Nelson. The festival aims to invite community into the existing KSA building as part of a launch party on the September long weekend to participate in live demos alumni showcase emerging art exhibition creative drop-in stations series of talks and panel discussions.
The Langham Cultural Society, based in the historic Langham building in Kaslo, BC, is a vibrant cultural hub offering year-round arts programming. As a charitable arts and heritage centre, they present diverse performances, exhibitions, and community events while also housing a Japanese Canadian Internment Museum, artist studios, and galleries.
This $1,000 grant will help fund a Indigenous Traditional Arts Project in partnership with the Circle of Indigenous Nations Society (COINS). This project will provide free, hands on workshops led by Indigenous artists, Elders, and knowledge keepers. The project will focus on traditional cultural arts such as beading, drum and textile arts, and other practices identified by Indigenous facilitators. The purpose is to expand access to Indigenous led cultural programming in a rural community where such opportunities are currently limited, while supporting cultural continuity, wellbeing, and reconciliation through shared learning experiences.
The Slocan Valley Community Services Society (SVCSS) delivers a broad range of programs and services that support children, youth, families, seniors, and the wider community. Through strong partnerships with local governments, schools, health authorities, community organizations, and volunteers, SVCSS continues to respond to emerging community needs while building local capacity and resilience.
This $1,000 grant will support The Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors (TAPS), a community-based program serving older adults across four rural Slocan Valley communities: New Denver, Slocan, Passmore, and Winlaw. TAPS provides weekly programming that includes a nutritious meal, social connection, cognitive stimulation, and gentle guided exercise for seniors aged 50+ and 65+.
Funding will be directed entirely toward food purchasing to enhance the quality, quantity, and nutritional value of meals served at TAPS gatherings.
Heartwood Family Collective
The Heartwood Family Collective in Kaslo organize fun and engaging learning opportunities for children aged 5-12. They offer nature based workshops for children to participate in. Past workshops have included Using Plant Fibers for Crafting, Pottery, Mushroom Identification + Foraging, Dance + Theatre, and Plant Foraging.
This $500 grant will go towards a Food and Plant Workshop Series. Children will gain an increased knowledge of the food and plants that grow in our region, how to identify them and harvest responsibly, and also gain skills through a cooking program with local chefs and bakers. The children will develop relationships with local mentors, and local mentors will have an opportunity to share their knowledge with a younger generation.
Hume Elementary School Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is a volunteer-led group that supports students, families, and staff through fundraising, community-building, and school improvement initiatives. The PAC works closely with school administration to enhance the learning environment and outdoor spaces, and regularly coordinates projects that benefit both students and the broader Nelson community.
This $500 grant will help with the Hume Elementary School Nature Playscape Beautification Project. This is a community-led initiative to transform an underutilized and muddy area of the Hume Elementary school grounds into a natural, inviting outdoor space. Funds will be used for native plants, soil amendments, and ground cover materials, which are essential to achieving the project’s goals of sustainability, usability, and visual impact.
SheRides is the women’s and gender-inclusive riding program of the Nelson Cycling Club, a non-profit organization that supports cycling opportunities in Nelson and the surrounding area. SheRides was created to encourage more women and gender-diverse riders to participate in mountain biking by providing supportive spaces to build skills, confidence, and community.
This $500 grant will help fund a Women’s Bike Maintenance Clinic Series. This project is designed to help riders learn the basics of maintaining their bikes. Many riders feel intimidated by bike mechanics or rely on shops for simple repairs. These clinics will provide a supportive environment where participants can learn practical skills and gain confidence working on their own bikes.
Nelson Roller Derby Society is a volunteer-run non-profit that creates fun, accessible sports opportunities for adults in the West Kootenay region. They believe staying active and connecting with neighbours keeps our community healthy. Through roller skating and roller derby, they make it easy for anyone to try something new by keeping their fees low, offering gear to borrow, and welcoming all experience levels.
This $500 grant will support Nelson Roller Derby’s Roll Together program. Roll Together is a 12-week beginner roller skating program for adults who have little to no experience on wheels. Over the 12 weeks, their volunteer coaches teach foundational skating skills, safety, and basic derby rules in a safe, supportive environment.
