The Cochrane Foundation was founded in 1993 by three visionary men who believed there should be a way for Cochrane and area residents to give back to the community. Over the years, the foundation has built up an endowment fund that now stands at $1.7 million.  

The income that is generated by the endowment fund is returned to the community every year in grants to various charities and societies in the community.  

The Cochrane Foundation is run by a volunteer Board of Directors and Board Chair Tim Harvie says, “We have the pleasure of sorting through the applications and dolling out grants to a number of different groups to make this a better place to live and there are lots of those good groups around.” 

The pandemic did not stop the Cochrane Foundation from handing out the annual grants, but the actual ceremony was put on hold. Fortunately, the Awards ceremony was able to happen this year and on April 1, representatives from the receiving organizations were able to gather.  

Harvie says that the ceremony provides an opportunity for organizations to gather and to, “Tell them what their project is and what it does for the community, and that way all of the other groups get to hear about the good work that’s going on in the town of Cochrane. It is a great party because there’s real buzz it is all positive people are getting grants to do good work in the community and it also helps to spread the word of the Cochrane Foundation.” 

Harvie says that the Cochrane Foundation is one of the best-kept secrets in town despite being around for 20 years and returning over a million dollars over the years in total grants. The board would like to grow the endowment fund and Harvie says, “If that fund was larger, it would generate more income and it would return more dollars to the community. We would like people to consider either annual, monthly giving, or especially estate giving. Cochrane foundation is a wonderful way to support your community forever. And allow us to pick the groups that are doing good work in the community you don’t have to single one out.” 

The grants are divided into three categories and the following are this year’s recipients: 

Community Capital Grant 2021: $63,725.00 

Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation 

Bike Cochrane Society 

Cochrane Cowboys Wrestling Club  

Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area 

Cochrane Art Club 

Cochrane & Area Humane Society 

Cochrane & District Agriculture Society 

Cochrane Ecological Institute & Cochrane Wildlife Reserve Society  

Cochrane Historical & Archival Preservation Society  

Cochrane Piranhas Swim Club 

Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre 

Cochrane Public Library  

Extreme Cowboy Alberta Association 

Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation  

Helping Hands Society of Cochrane & Area  

Rocky View Regional Handibus Society  

Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service Foundation  

Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Park Society 

Neighbourhood Grants 2021: $24,385.00 

Bike Cochrane Society 

Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane & Area   

Cultivate Cochrane Society  

Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation 

Heartland Community Association 

Rocky View Foundation (Big Hill Lodge) 

Dr. George McQuitty Memorial Fund 2021: $4,712.00 

Chelsea Luft, University of Alberta, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences