Tuesday night’s gathering in the Muriel Griffiths Room was a celebration of grassroots impact, as 18 community grants were awarded through the Le Roi Community Foundation’s 2025 spring granting cycle.
This cycle, the foundation reviewed 24 applications requesting a total of $119,000.
Thanks to the strength of its endowment and ongoing donor support, the foundation was able to distribute over $43,000 to groups working across the region to strengthen community well-being.
The successful recipients represent a wide range of local initiatives, from food security and making art and sports accessible to all, to environmental education and family services.
Le Roi board chair Jody Pistak welcomed attendees, sharing that the foundation continues to thrive thanks to donors: from the toonie dropped at their farmers' market table to $10 monthly gifts through CanadaHelps.
“All donations make a huge difference in what the foundation can give back,” Pistak shared.
What began as a $10,000 endowment fund has grown to $1.49 million in assets today, she added.
“All has come from the community, which is amazing to me.”
Pistak then introduced the foundation’s board and committee members, expressing her appreciation: she’s humbled by the volunteer board and noted there’s never been a time when someone wasn’t willing to say, “I can help with that.”
On that note, Pistak welcomed Grants Committee Director Heather Brandvold to announce the grant recipients.
Each organization had the opportunity to speak about how the funding would move their mission forward.
From mentoring youth to improving trail systems, supporting literacy, or addressing health and inclusion, the impact of each project is felt deeply in the everyday lives of local residents.
Despite rising demand — this year’s funding requests outpaced available resources by nearly three to one — the foundation continues to grow granting capacity through its endowment fund.
Since its founding in 2005 and formal launch in 2006, the Le Roi foundation has distributed well over $900,000 in grants and scholarships across Rossland, Warfield, Trail, Montrose, Fruitvale, and Areas A and B.
Foundation leaders encouraged anyone interested in giving back to consider donating or creating a legacy fund.
More information is available at www.leroifoundation.com.
Those interested in joining the board or getting involved in governance are invited to reach out to Jody Pistak or any board member.
Summer grant recipients:
Beaver Valley Food Bank – Funding will go toward increasing protein sources for well over 1,000 annual patrons.
Black Jack Ski Club – Grant will help give the machine shed a facelift, including installation of a heater and drainage system.
CBAL (Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy) – Funds will support the one-to-one children’s reading program.
CBEEN (Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network) – Supporting environmental stewardship through education and outreach.
Diverse Family Roots – Funds will support a family summer camp in Riondel.
Family Action Network – Grant will support a photography project exploring how children see their community through a camera lens.
Greater Trail Community Skills Centre – Funds will be used to purchase a laptop and docking station for the main floor meeting room.
Greater Trail Hospice Society – Grant will fund volunteer training this fall and in spring 2025.
Kootenay Columbia Trails Society – Funds will go toward the purchase of hand tools for trail maintenance volunteers.
Living Lakes Canada – In partnership with Rossland Streamkeepers, the grant will support an in-depth study of Topping and Hanna Creeks.
Pacific Sport Columbia Basin – Grant will go toward adaptive soccer programs for children with barriers to sport.
Pain BC – To raise awareness about the Kootenay branch of its chronic pain support network.
Red Mountain Racers – Funds will replace aging timing equipment for both local and national races.
Rossland Arts Centre – Grant will be invested in interpretive panels and other improvements.
Team Giv’R – To expand summer sports camps for local youth, encouraging a healthy, active, and inclusive lifestyle.
Trail United Church Coupon Program – Grant will support nutrition coupons for farmers’ markets and provide bus tickets to increase access.
Visac Art Gallery – Funding will improve accessibility to arts programming and support the purchase of equipment and tables for the pottery studio.
Wildsight – Grant will fund school-based field trips to help connect kids with the great outdoors.
