Environmental Community-led microgrants
Our mission is to empower community leadership to address environmental challenges, and we love being able to empower you with some funding to help you overcome financial barriers!
Small grants. Big community impact.
The Biosphere Institute is thrilled to announce a new program: Environmental Community‑Led Microgrants. This program supports local people and grassroots groups in the Bow Valley to bring environmentally oriented and community‑building ideas to life. We believe that everyday community members are already leading meaningful change, and often just need a bit of funding, support, and amplification.
This program offers small project grants (up to $1,000) alongside mentorship support, helping ideas move from spark to reality.
What are the microgrants?
These microgrants support community‑rooted environmental projects that strengthen connection, belonging, and care for place.
Funded projects might include (but are not limited to):
Community workshops or gatherings
Youth‑led environmental initiatives
Intercultural or land‑based learning
Creative projects (art, music, storytelling) connected to environmental themes
Neighbourhood‑scale climate or stewardship actions
We know that small, well‑supported projects can create powerful ripple effects across communities!
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You do not need to be a registered charity to apply.
Eligible applicants include:
Individual community members
Informal or grassroots groups
Registered non‑profits or charities
Projects must take place in, or directly benefit, communities in the Bow Valley, including:
Canmore
Banff
M.D. of Bighorn
Kananaskis Improvement District
Mînî Thnî and surrounding Treaty 7 Nations
Sorry - businesses are not eligible.
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Eligible projects must:
Support local community leadership
Contribute to environmental sustainability, climate action, or stewardship of land, water, and wildlife
Build connection, belonging, and collaboration
Promote inclusion, equity, and diverse ways of knowing
We especially encourage applications from equity‑deserving communities and from people who have difficulty accessing traditional funding programs.
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Projects are assessed using clear and publicly available criteria, including:
Environmental impact
Community leadership and participation
Connection and belonging
Equity, inclusion, and diversity
Feasibility and meaningful impact
Potential for longer‑term community benefit
application process and timeline
We aim to keep the process simple, accessible, and proportionate to the size of the grant. Click below to fill out the application form.
Applications are reviewed by a small committee made up of Biosphere staff and an external community reviewer.
timelines
We will accept applications until March 30, 2026.
Decisions are communicated within one month of the application deadline (by April 30, 2026).
Projects must be completed by November 30, 2026.
Your brief report will be due by December 18, 2026.
“Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul.”
how this program came to be
This microgrant program grew directly out of the Community Climate Conversations, a monthly series hosted by the Biosphere Institute and Bow Valley Climate Action to create space for dialogue, learning, and connection around climate, community well-being, and local action.
As a direct outcome of these conversations, we heard a clear and consistent message: people had ideas and energy — but needed small amounts of funding, support, and encouragement to act.
Community Climate Conversations gathering in April of 2025.
In response, in 2025, we launched a call for community-led project proposals. From a strong pool of submissions, we selected and supported five projects that reflected the creativity, care, and passion of local residents. These initiatives were envisioned and led entirely by community members, with the Biosphere Institute providing light-touch funding, mentorship, and administrative support.
The results were inspiring… from intercultural healing circles, to youth-led sustainability initiatives, to creative environmental education through art and music. The success of this pilot confirmed what we believed all along: when local people are trusted and resourced, meaningful change follows.
Keep reading below to learn about some of these amazing projects.
Past projects (2025)
1. Building Soil, Building Knowledge at Star6 Ranch
2. Jam for Jasper Benefit Concert with Digital Hobo
3. Grow and Glow with Ethiocare
4. The State of the Earth, The State of the World: Indigenous Intercultural Talking Circle with Ariole and Tobias
5. Watt’s Up With That? Community Educational Videos with Amy and Edmund
Building Soil, Building Knowledge
Workshop at Star6 Ranch with Christian and Sarah
On July 2nd, we hosted a community workshop where we explored the role of worms in soil health and what they need to thrive.
Participants had the opportunity to interact with our new vermi-composter, help transfer the worms into their new home, and enjoy fresh, wood-fired pizza together. We had a great turnout and meaningful conversations about sustainability and stewardship. Your support made it possible, so thank you!
2. Jam for Jasper: A night of music, community and connection
Benefit concert for wildfire resilience with the Digital Hobo and the Climate Changers
Nearly 200 people joined us for Jam for Jasper on May 31! The evening included an elegant combination of incredible live music, storytelling and a spirit of collective care, which brought our community together in a powerful way to support wildfire resilience and recovery.
Together, we raised $2,795.91 in support of the Jasper Community Team Society Fund and a new wildfire resilience initiative.
3. Grow and Glow workshop
A Community Workshop with Fathima and Ethiocare
On May 30, 2025, Ethiocare hosted “Grow & Glow: A Community Wellness & Sustainability Day” at the Canmore Public Library—generously provided at no cost by the library—and made possible by funding from the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and the Calgary Foundation. Although 21 community members had signed up, twelve participants (eight adults and four children) joined us to paint biodegradable flower pots with uplifting affirmations, plant herbs or wildflowers, and prepare their creations.
Attendees uniformly rated the evening as “Good” or “Excellent,” sharing that they felt more connected to their neighbours, learned new planting and mindfulness techniques, and experienced genuine emotional uplift.
4. The State of the Earth, The State of the World
An Indigenous Intercultural Talking Circle with Ariole and Tobias
Organized by Canmore community member Ariole K. Alei and led by Tobias Ear of Mini Thni, this evening brought together 35 participants ranging in age from 2 months to 80 years at Ralph Connor United Church in Chuwapcîpchiyan Kudebi / Canmore.
The event blended Indigenous and non-Indigenous teachings, centered around a Talking Circle where attendees felt deeply heard and respected in a safe, welcoming space. Two trained therapeutic support people were present, ensuring emotional care was available if needed.
“The group was buzzing as people gathered and mingled for refreshments following. Many expressed keenness for next opportunities to gather in this unique and healing way. Thank you to the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and the Calgary Foundation for making this meaningful evening possible. Your support is deeply appreciated.”
5. Watt’s Up With That?
Community Educational Videos with Amy and Edmund
We wanted to make a series of short videos explaining complex topics in simple ways. It seems that many people have questions around climate science, greenhouse gas emissions, and green technology, but getting a clear answer can be hard. Two of our team members worked together to make a series of short videos answering questions that come up a lot, but most people might not find the energy to puzzle out themselves. We made about ten short videos and edited them with this money. We will release them on our social media and in our newsletter in the coming months!
Thank you to the Calgary Foundation for funding this work.
