Community Partners
Growing impact through trusted community networks.
The Community Partner program is designed to allow local organizations to help grow participation in Canmore Legacy, while strengthening both their own programs and the long-term funding of the Canmore Hospital Foundation.
What is a Community Partner?
A Community Partner is an organization that helps grow the Canmore Legacy system by encouraging its members, supporters, and network to participate. Partners are not administrators of the system and do not handle funds. They are trusted advocates who help expand participation and, in doing so, increase the total community impact.
Why involve community organizations?
The strongest growth comes through trusted networks. Service clubs, associations, and community groups already have credibility, reach, and long-standing relationships. The Community Partner program allows these organizations to participate in building a permanent funding structure that supports the community’s anchor institutions while also creating a durable, ongoing funding stream for their own missions.
How the partner model works
- Community organizations are approved as Community Partners.
- Partners encourage their members and supporters to join Guardian Utilities through their organization.
- Participants are associated with that partner organization.
- A portion of the community funding share is attributed to the partner.
- Another portion continues to go to the Canmore Hospital Foundation.
- As more organizations participate, total funding for both partners and the hospital grows.
This approach does not divide a fixed pool of money. It grows the system itself.
Two types of Community Partners
Community organizations have different legal structures. The partner program is designed to support both registered charities and non-charitable organizations, with appropriate and transparent treatment for each.
Charitable partners
- Must be registered charities
- Receive funding in the form of charitable donations
- Issue official charitable tax receipts
- Account for funds under their charitable governance
Non-charitable partners
- May include service clubs, associations, and community groups
- Participate by promoting Guardian Utilities and the Canmore Legacy program
- Receive funding as program, sponsorship, or promotional support
- Account for funds as operating or program revenue under their own governance
For non-charitable partners, funds are provided in exchange for participation and promotion (program or sponsorship revenue).
The form of funding depends on the organization's legal status. All allocations are reported transparently.
The role of the Hospital Foundation
The Canmore Hospital Foundation remains the anchor beneficiary of the system. The Community Partner program does not replace or compete with the hospital. It exists to grow the total system and, in doing so, increase the long-term funding available to the hospital.
Governance and fairness
The Community Partner program will operate under clear rules and public reporting.
- Eligibility criteria will be published
- Partners will be approved through a structured process
- Attribution and allocations will be transparent
- Ongoing participation will be subject to compliance with program terms
Application process
When the program launches, organizations will apply through an online application process. Applications will be reviewed against published criteria to ensure alignment with the goals and governance of the Canmore Legacy system.
Program timeline
The Community Partner program is currently in design and is expected to launch in mid-2026. Until then, this page serves as a description of the intended structure and governance.