Community Grant Recipients
May 2025
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.
Each quarter your Kootenay Co-op gives out four grants valued up to $500 for projects or initiatives that help strengthen and support our local community. This February we were able to give out $2,500 in community grants to 4 amazing community initiatives!
ANKORS Kootenay Boundary Supportive Recovery Program
Ankors is a not-for profit community organization that has been offering services to the Nelson community. ANKORS offers a Program called the Kootenay Boundary Supportive Recovery Program. This program offers 8 bed accommodation for up to 6 months for people who are recovering from alcohol and substance use, this is a second stage type program that focuses on psyche social rehab supporting people with life skills, counseling and moving towards living their best lives.
Last year the participants built garden beds and growing plants in pots on the back yard deck. This was a successful project thanks to community donations and hard work. This year’s grant will be put towards expanding the garden project by building 2 more garden beds and purchasing hoses and timers and setting up a small irrigation system.
The Big Effort Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting physical and mental health in rural communities, with a particular focus on underserved populations such as children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Their mission is rooted in the belief that swimming is an essential life skill that everyone should have the opportunity to learn. The Big Effort Foundation provides tailored swimming lessons and water safety education for children with ASD, addressing the critical need to reduce the risk of drowning, which is the leading cause of accidental death in this population.
This grant will be used to support the Big Effort Foundation’s water safety and swimming program for children with ASD in the Boundary region. This program provides free, one-on-one swimming lessons tailored to the unique needs of children with ASD, with a focus on enhancing self-sufficiency in water. This grant will directly fund swim equipment and program materials, such as kickboards, pool noodles, and visual aids, ensuring that the program is accessible and impactful for participants.
LV Rogers Grizzlies
The LV Rogers Grizzlies high school sporting teams run athletic programs for girls and boys in about 12 different sports. The LV Rogers Grizzlies have been running successful sporting teams for 60+ years at LVR.
This grant will be put towards purchasing new fitness equipment to replace several 30 year old pieces that are in dire need of replacement. This machine will carry the next few generations through their sports training.
Old South Slocan Schoolhouse Working Group
The Old South Slocan Schoolhouse Working Group is working through the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) to raise funds to create a simple, low maintenance structure and park for public use. The park is intended to be used for educational purposes, multi-aged users and community gatherings. The structure and park will emphasize the history of the area through informative features throughout the property
This grant will go towards supporting the Old South Slocan Schoolhouse Working Group’s fundraising efforts for the park project.
