The history of the Creston - Kootenay Foundation reflects the community needs, the service provided at the time, and the will of local people to provide a better quality of life for themselves and their neighbours through community effort and local control. Our organization's name changed as the service provided changed.

The first hospitals and senior care facilities were developed by local volunteers and local organizations. (Creston at one time provided financial support to its hospital through the Creston Valley Hospital Improvement District, a local municipal tax structure.) Provincial funding brought to the local community a "partner" in funding locally developed not-for-profit facilities.

In the early years there were no "surplus" funds. This changed over time and surplus funds were placed in reserve. These reserve funds, often donated, were eventually directed by the province to be used for operations. To ensure these funds would be available to meet future development, the funds needed to be placed at arm's length, free from provincial influence. The Creston Seniors Foundation Society, serving seniors in continuing care, was registered with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in 1994.

By 1998 the Society was funding seniors in institutions, in the community, and some of the non-senior population as well. To reflect a broader mandate, the membership passed a resolution at the 1999 AGM to change the name to the Creston Valley Community Health Foundation. In 2001 the Province took administrative control for local health and continuing care. This transfer of administrative control to the Province meant the Foundation no longer had access to a CRA charitable status number. The Health Foundation now had no ability to issue income tax receipts.

By 2002 the Society was receiving no donations, its membership was shrinking, its goals confused. The membership requested a review of the following options: 1) to remain as a stand-alone local health foundation; 2) to amalgamate with a regional health foundation; 3) to become a community foundation affiliated with Community Foundations of Canada (CFC). At the 2003 AGM the membership directed that the Society become a community foundation.

A new constitution, by-laws, and policies were written. These were significant changes to the Foundation's purpose and amendments had to be confirmed by the BC Registrar of Companies under the Society Act. This was accomplished in August 2004 under a new name, Creston - Kootenay Foundation. The Foundation joined the CFC. Registration with CRA as a registered charitable organization able to issue income tax receipts became effective January 1, 2005.

The Foundation follows the Regional District of Central Kootenay electoral boundaries of the Town of Creston, Areas B, C, and Wynndel - East Shore Kootenay Lake (Riondel through to Yahk). Our interests are in Healthy Living, Culture & the Arts, Social Welfare (poverty, delinquency), Youth and Aged, Education, Environment, and Heritage

The Creston - Kootenay Foundation accepts in-perpetuity donations (funds available forever) of money, stocks, bonds, real estate (land, houses), and art. Income tax receipts are issued for the current value of donated items. Income generated by the investment of these assets is given back into our communities through the grant application process.