Columbia Basin Trust non-profit workshops are once again stepping up to strengthen the backbone of communities across the region, offering a series of free in-person sessions and webinars designed to build skills, confidence, and long-term sustainability for local organizations.
For non-profits in Fernie and across the Columbia Basin, these sessions are more than just professional development—they’re practical tools to help volunteers and staff navigate the increasingly complex demands of governance, funding, and community impact.
The Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) has announced a lineup of free in-person workshops in April 2026, tailored specifically for Basin non-profits. These sessions focus on core areas that matter on the ground:
• Board governance and leadership
• Financial management and accountability
• Strategic planning and sustainability
• Grant writing and funding readiness
• Volunteer engagement and retention
These workshops are designed to be accessible, relevant, and immediately useful—whether you’re a long-standing organization or a small volunteer-run group trying to grow.
In addition to in-person sessions, CBT continues to deliver a series of webinars throughout the year, ensuring that even the busiest organizations can access support remotely.
Upcoming webinar topics typically include:
• Non-profit best practices
• Digital tools and communications
• Community impact measurement
• Equity, inclusion, and governance trends
The flexibility of webinars allows organizations to stay current without the travel, a key advantage for rural and volunteer-driven groups.
Fernie’s strength has always come from its community organizations—from trails and arts to social services and events. Programs like these help ensure those groups remain effective, resilient, and capable of delivering real impact.
Columbia Basin Trust supports the ideas and efforts of the people who live in this region, focusing on social, economic and environmental well-being—now and for generations to come.
If you’re part of a non-profit—or thinking about starting one—this is a clear opportunity to build skills, connect with others, and strengthen your organization.
Visit the Columbia Basin Trust website to explore current workshops and webinars, register for upcoming sessions, and see how these resources can support your work.
Interested in joining the CBT team?
Columbia Basin Trust continues to support communities not just through funding and training, but through meaningful careers that make a difference across the Basin. The CBT is hiring, read about the opportunities here.
