Other Grants and Programs

Additional Grants and Funding Opportunities

The following funding opportunities are provided for your review. Please note the Municipality of the County of Richmond does not administer these applications. All questions should be directed to the designated funding body.

Accessibility Funding

Community ACCESS-Ability Program

Department: Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage

Description: This grant covers two-thirds of accessibility-related improvement, up to $50,000, with the applying organization responsible for the remaining funding. Eligible projects can include improvements to the built environment, transportation, communications, assistive devices, and other accessibility related improvements.

Eligible Applicants may include:

Registered non-profit organizations, such as Community Halls, Legions, Churches, Day Cares, Shelters, Recreation facilities, etc.
Municipalities, Towns, Villages and First Nations communities.
Public institutions, such as libraries, museums, schools, hospitals, etc.

Website: https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-our-future/community-funding-and-awards/community-access-ability-program

Deadline: February 14 2026

Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program -

Department: Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage

Description: This program offers cost-shared grants to businesses for accessibility related improvements. Grants are intended to improve overall accessibility and create welcoming environments that persons with disabilities can access for business and employment opportunities. We pay up to 2/3 of accessibility improvements and up to $50,000.

This program is part of the Province of Nova Scotia’s commitment to equal opportunity and inclusive communities.

In alignment with the Accessibility Act, Nova Scotia is committed to an Accessible Nova Scotia by 2030 (Access by design)

Eligible Examples of Accessible Improvement expenses

Built Environment and Accessibility Certification – Ramps, Accessible bathrooms, Automatic door openers, Accessible parking and pathways, etc.
Accessible Communication and Information – Accessible web design, Accessible signage, Assistive technologies, etc.
Assistive Devices – Movable equipment, Page turners, Adaptive switches, Voice recognition programs, etc.
Accessible Transportation – Converting or purchasing a wheelchair accessible shuttle service vehicle, etc.
Universal Design Capacity Building – Trainer fees, Resources, Hosting costs, Promotion, etc.

How to apply

Please read the guidelines and then speak with the Business ACCESS-Ability program officer about your proposed project before completing the application form.
Complete the Business ACCESS-Ability Program Application form.
Use the checklist to assemble your application package— the form and all requested documentation.
Submit your complete application package to our office by mail, email, or fax.
Receive confirmation of submitted application within 2 weeks of applying

*Your submission will not be sent for evaluation until we receive all required documentation. If we do not receive all documentation your application will be deemed incomplete*

Website:https://cch.novascotia.ca/business-access-ability-grant-program

Deadline: February 14 2026

RBC Barrier Buster Grants Program

Department: RBC Foundation

Description:

Barrier Buster projects improve access to physical spaces. They can be as diverse as the communities that create them. Your community can use your grant to build:

Accessible play spaces
Improved parking and exterior access
Interior accessibility improvements for community facilities and workspaces
Elevators and lifts
Accessible washrooms and showers
Accessible kitchens, cafeterias and eating spaces
Emergency response and safety improvements
Improvements to parks, trails and marine access

Website: https://www.rickhansen.com/BarrierBuster

Deadline: March 15, 2026.

Enabling Accessibility Fund

Department: Government of Canada - Employment and Social Development Canada

Description:

The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) provides funding for projects that make workplaces and communities across Canada more accessible for persons with disabilities. The 2026 Call for Proposals has two objectives:

Workplace projects that eliminate infrastructure and technology-related accessibility barriers where persons with disabilities are currently employed
Projects that remove accessibility barriers in Indigenous workplaces or Indigenous communities

Eligible Activities

Flat rate activities (14 types, costed using the EAF 2026 calculator):

Ramps
Accessible washrooms
Accessible doors
Elevators
Accessible lifts
Pool lifts
Multi-sensory rooms and stations
Accessible playgrounds
Accessible parking
Accessible drop-off areas
Accessible electric vehicle charging stations
Accessible kitchens
Accessible drinking fountains and hand wash stations
Accessible multi-purpose rooms

Non-Flat Rate Activities (require contractor quotes):

Accessible pathways and pedestrian routes
Non-slip flooring replacements
Enhanced lighting for persons with low vision
Wayfinding through signage, tactile cues, and contrasting colours
Information and communication technologies (screen readers, captioning software, accessible website modifications, audio loop systems)
Equipment specifically designed for persons with disabilities (adaptive recreation equipment, evacuation chairs)

Contact:

General info:

Technical help:

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/enabling-accessibility-fund-contribution.html

Deadline: March 12, 2026

Arts, Culture & Heritage

Heritage Development Fund – Conservation Work Grants

Department - Organization: NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage

Description: A provincial grant program that provides up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $10,000 for provincially registered heritage properties and $7,500 for municipally registered heritage properties. The program supports conservation work that helps preserve the heritage value and structural integrity of designated sites.

Eligible conservation work may include (but is not limited to):

Buildings or structures located on a registered heritage property that have heritage value are eligible for proposed conservation work projects that better conserve their exterior appearance and/or core structure integrity, or
Cemeteries registered as a heritage property are eligible for only conservation work projects of their monuments that are both 1) in situ and 2) at least 100 years old.

Deadline: Typically April 1 each year

Contact:

Website: Heritage Development Fund

Festival and Community Event Development

Department - Organization: NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage

Description:

The Festival and Community Event Development Program helps sustain, grow, or improve unique community festivals and events across Nova Scotia. The program does not fund entire events but provides support for specific projects or components within an event.

This is a competitive funding program. Applications are assessed and scored by a panel of industry professionals, and not all applications will be successful. Successful applicants will not necessarily receive the full amount requested. In 2025, the average amount allocated was $3,200.

Eligible Expenses (Examples):

Marketing or public relations assistance
Nova Scotia artist fees
Training for staff or volunteers

Ineligible Expenses:

Infrastructure (buildings, renovations, permanent signs, plaques, monuments, gardens)
Fireworks
Fundraisers
Family reunions
Political or religious events
League, club, sports training camps, or tournaments
Business conventions, conferences, workshops, or meeting-related gatherings
Events that are solely an artisan fair, craft fair, tea, or supper
Alcoholic drinks
Membership fees
Parades
Travel costs or performance fees for non-Nova Scotia-based artists

Key Requirements:

Applicants can apply for one festival or event per fiscal year
Event must take place between April 1 and March 31 of the upcoming fiscal year
Event revenue cannot be solely from this program
Combined government funding (municipal, provincial, federal) should not exceed 50% of total event revenue
Applications cannot be submitted for events that have already taken place

Deadline: February 27, 2026, 4:00 PM

Contact:

Stephen MacDougall
Senior Advisor
Phone: (902) 456-0525

Send your completed application to .

Website: https://cch.novascotia.ca/festival-and-community-event-development

Legacy Fund – Building Communities through Arts and Heritage

Department - Organization: Department of Canadian Heritage

Description: The Legacy Fund – Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program provides funding for community-initiated capital projects. Recipients may receive up to 50% of eligible project expenses up to a maximum of $500,000. Funding supports community-initiated capital projects that:

commemorate a significant local historical event or pay tribute to a significant local historical personality;
mark a 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years (e.g., 125th, 150th);
involve the restoration, renovation, or transformation of existing buildings or exterior spaces with local community significance that are intended for community use;
Encourage arts and heritage activities in the local community that are intended for and accessible to the general public.

Evaluation Criteria:

Community engagement: volunteer participation, inclusive planning, accessibility, and visibility of the project.
Arts/heritage prominence: how the project integrates arts or heritage to raise local profile.
Partnerships and support: strength of community or municipal backing and shared responsibility.
Accessibility and sustainability of the completed space/project.

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact:

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/building-communities/legacy-fund.html

Exhibition Circulation Fund – Museums Assistance Program

Department - Organization: Department of Canadian Heritage

Description:

The Museums Assistance Program (MAP) supports heritage institutions and workers in the preservation and presentation of heritage collections through several components, each with its own eligibility criteria. The Exhibition Circulation Fund component assists museums with costs related to hosting travelling exhibitions originating from another Canadian non-profit organization, an Indigenous organization, or from a federal heritage institution, and borrowing artifacts for exhibition purposes from federal institutions.

Important Notice:

Due to higher-than-normal volume of applications, funds for Exhibition Circulation Fund are limited. Applicants are strongly encouraged to speak to the regional program advisor prior to submitting an application.

Program Objectives:

Assist museums with the costs of hosting travelling exhibitions from Canadian sources
Support borrowing of artifacts from federal institutions for exhibition purposes
Facilitate access to heritage across Canada
Promote the circulation of Canadian travelling exhibitions

Eligible Project Types:

1. Hosting a travelling exhibition: Host a travelling exhibition originating from another Canadian non-profit organization, Indigenous organization, or federal heritage institution (on condition that the same expenses were not reimbursed to the lending institution by MAP as part of the exhibition development/circulation project).

Note: Travelling art exhibitions must meet MAP's heritage-related objectives. Only retrospective exhibitions or those presenting a historical perspective are eligible. For contemporary art exhibitions, organizations may seek support from the Canada Council for the Arts programs.

2. Borrowing artifact(s): Borrow artifact(s) from federal institution for exhibition purposes.

Key Requirements:

Program is highly competitive; requests for funding typically exceed available resources
Submitting application does not guarantee funding
No yearly limit to the number of projects for which an organization may apply
Applications accepted on a continuous basis
Submit application about 4 months prior to project start date
When possible, apply for funding within the federal fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) of project
Expenses incurred before application submission cannot be funded

Eligible expenses for hosting travelling exhibition:

Rental fees
Pro-rated salaries and wages
Transportation, packing, crating, installing/dismantling exhibition, temporary storage (when necessary)
Additional security costs
Additional insurance
Equipment rental, incremental administration costs, promotion and communication expenses
Translation of public material in both official languages and other applicable languages
Creation of education materials, media kits and marketing materials in conjunction with a travelling exhibition

Eligible expenses for borrowing artifact(s):

Rental fees
Pro-rated salaries and wages
Packing, transportation, installation and dismantling
Special security costs
Additional insurance
Marketing

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)
TTY: 1-888-997-3123 (toll-free)

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/museums-assistance/exhibition-circulation/application-guidelines.html

Na-mi-quai-ni-mak Community Support Fund

Department: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Description: Small grants to support community-based healing and remembrance. The act of remembering will shape generations to come.

Funds are available to support Indigenous communities, Survivor Organizations, registered non-profits, and others with small grants for memorial activities. Communities and Residential School Survivors know what activities best support healing, memorials and remembrance in their communities. The program will support communities in pursuing the activities they feel are best.

Some possible activities could include, but are not limited to:

Community-led healing gatherings
Ceremonial activities (memorial feasts, give-aways, etc.)
Memorial or commemorative markers (healing gardens, murals, carvings, plaques, etc.)
Maintenance of burial sites (fencing, cutting back overgrowth, etc.).

Contact:

Toll Free: 1-855-415-4534

Ph: 1-204-914-4757

Fax: 1-204-474-7533

Email:

Deadline: Open Application Process

Website:https://nctr.ca/memorial/na-mi-quai-ni-mak/na-mi-quai-ni-mak-community-support-fund/

Musication, Musical showcases (exclusively dedicated to French-speaking communities outside Quebec)

Department: Musication

Description: The main objective of this program is to stimulate the programming of Francophone artists from official language minority communities in the context of major events and tours in order to promote the development of their professional careers. It also aims to promote access for Canadian Francophone communities to musical performances in their language.

This first component aims to support artists from the Canadian Francophonie, from Francophone minority communities, selected by an event to present an official showcase, paid or not, in front of professionals. Exceptionally, an association or organization from Francophone communities could take advantage of this program to present a minimum of 3 artists from Francophone minority communities in the context of a major event The same applies to an English-language event held in a province other than Quebec that wishes to present a minimum of 3 artists from Francophone minority communities in the context of its event.

Contact:

514 861- 8444

1 800 861 5561

Deadline: Open Application Process

Website:https://musicaction.ca/programmes/vitrines-musicales-2/volet-1-vitrine-nationale/

Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program

Department: Government of Canada

Description:

The Events component of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP) provides funding to community-based events that:

promote intercultural or interfaith understanding
promote discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination
celebrate a community’s history and culture, such as heritage months recognized by Parliament

Expected results are that participants and communities will gain knowledge, develop strategies and take action to:

increase awareness of Canada’s cultural diversity
increase awareness of issues affecting full participation in society and the economy, related to culture, ethnicity and/or religion
increase capacity within communities to address racism and discrimination

Who can apply

The Department of Canadian Heritage is implementing enhanced protocols and processes for funding programs that support Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy to help ensure that organizations and individuals that espouse racist, antisemitic and other forms of hateful content will not be eligible to receive government funding.

To be eligible for funding, organizations or groups must be:

Canadian not-for-profit organizations, associations and unincorporated groups
Canadian incorporated and unincorporated municipalities and townships with a population of up to 10,000
Indigenous not-for-profit organizations (First Nations, Inuit or Métis)
Indigenous governments, band councils or tribal councils

Eligible events

To be eligible for funding, your event must meet all of the following requirements:

establish concrete opportunities for positive interaction among cultural, religious or ethnocultural communities
demonstrate involvement of more than one single cultural, religious or ethnocultural community or target a single cultural community and provide opportunities to engage with and foster pride in the community’s history, culture and/or identity, such as heritage months recognized by Parliament
help foster intercultural or interfaith understanding

Contact:

819-997-0055
1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)

Deadline: There is no fixed deadline to submit a funding application under the Events component of the MARP, as applications are accepted on a continuous basis. However, to ensure timely assessment, it is advised that your application be submitted 18 weeks prior to the proposed event start date. Should you intend to apply in less than 18 weeks, you must contact the program through the appropriate generic email account for your region. Funding applications must be received prior to the event start date.

Exhibition Circulation Fund - Museums Assistance Program

Department: Government of Canada

Description: The Exhibition Circulation Fund component of the Museums Assistance Program (MAP) assists museums with the costs related to the hosting of travelling exhibitions originating from another Canadian non-profit organization, an Indigenous organization or from a federal heritage institution, and the borrowing of artifacts for exhibition purposes from any federal institution.

Who can apply

^{Applicants must be:}

^1.^{incorporated, non-profit Canadian museums that meet all of the criteria of 1 of the following categories:}

^{Applicants for hosting a travelling exhibition must:}
- ^{provide services to the public year-round}
- ^{employ the equivalent of 1 full-time, paid professional staff}
- ^{have policies for key museum functions}
^{Applicants for borrowing artifacts must:}
- ^{have policies for key museum functions}
- ^{have a loan agreement or a letter of intent with a federal institution}

2. ^{Indigenous governing bodies or organizations with a mandate to preserve and support Indigenous heritage}

Contact:

514 861- 8444

1 800 861 5561

Deadline: Ongoing basis

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/museums-assistance/exhibition-circulation.html

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

Department: Government of Canada

Description: The Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF) – Development stream provides financial assistance to support the emergence of arts presenters and presenter-support organizations for underserved communities or artistic practices.

Recognizing the uniqueness and value of Indigenous cultural expression and the richness that cultural diversity brings to the quality of life, we have expanded the eligibility criteria for this component to include unincorporated organizations, as well as ad hoc groups from racialized and Indigenous communities.

Applicants must be:

not-for-profit organizations, incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act or the Canada Not-For-Profit Corporations Act (or under corresponding provincial or territorial legislation);
unincorporated organizations, as well as ad hoc groups from ethnocultural and Indigenous communities;
provincial, territorial or municipal institutions (including agencies and public educational institutions that promote or organize presentation activities for the public); and
Indigenous peoples’ institutions and Status or Non-Status Indians, Inuit and Métis organizations.

Contact:

Email:

Telephone:

819-997-0055

1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)

Deadline: Ongoing basis

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/arts-presentation-fund/development.html

Local Festivals – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

Department - Organization: Department of Canadian Heritage

Description: The program provides funding to local groups for recurring festivals that present the work of local artists, local artisans, local heritage performers or specialists; and local First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultural carriers. This includes the celebration of LGBTQ2+ communities and Indigenous cultural celebrations. Applicants may request up to 100 percent of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $200,000.

Deadline:

October 15 – for festivals starting between July 1 and August 31 of the next calendar year.

January 31 – for festivals starting between September 1 and December 31 of the same calendar year.

April 30 – for festivals starting between January 1 and June 30 of the next calendar year.

Contact:

Website: Local Festivals – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

Community Anniversaries

Department - Organization: Department of Canadian Heritage

Description: The program provides funding to local groups for non-recurring local events, with or without a minor capital project. Funding is available for non-recurring events that mark the 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years (e.g., 125th, 150th); of a significant local historical event or personality. Applicants may request up to 100% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $200,000. See the website for specific requirements of events.

Deadline: April 30 for events that will occur during the next calendar year. For example, if your anniversary is in August 2024, you must apply by April 30, 2023.

Email:

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/building-communities/anniversaries.html

Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program

Department - Organization: Department of Canadian Heritage

Description: The program provides funding to community-based events that: A) promote intercultural or interfaith understanding. P) Promote discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination. C) celebrate a community’s history and culture, such as heritage months recognized by Parliament. A new priority in the program for 2024 will include celebrations and events that recognize the history, culture, accomplishments, contributions and future of Black Canadians and their communities. Municipalities with a population of up to 10,000 are eligible to apply. You can watch a video here for tips on your application.

*The department has consolidated its two programs, the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program and the Anti-Racism Action Program, under a single program.*

Deadline: For the events stream, there is no fixed deadline to submit a funding application; they are accepted continuously. However, to ensure timely assessment, it is advised that your application be submitted 18 weeks before the proposed event start date.

Email:

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/multiculturalism-anti-racism.html

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

Department - Organization: Federal Department of Canadian Heritage

Description: The objectives of the fund are to contribute to improved physical conditions for professional arts and heritage-related collaboration, creation, presentation, preservation, and exhibition; and to increase and improve access for Canadians to arts and culture. The CCSF achieves these objectives by supporting the construction and/or renovation of arts and/or heritage facilities, including creative hubs; and the acquisition of specialized equipment and the development of feasibility studies for the construction or renovation of arts and/or heritage facilities, including creative hubs.

Deadline: Continuous intake

Email:

Website: Application Guidelines – Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

Legacy Fund

Department - Organization: Department of Canadian Heritage

Description: The program provides funding for community-initiated capital projects that restore, renovate, or transform an existing building or exterior space intended for community use. Recipients may receive up to 50% of eligible project expenses up to a maximum of $500,000.

Example(s): Such as a statue, community hall, monument, garden or work of art.

Deadline: Continuous intake. Projects must be submitted before the anniversary date of the event or personality to be commemorated.

Email:

Website: Legacy Fund

McLean Foundation Grant

Department - Organization: The McLean Foundation

Description: They endeavour to maintain a flexible policy, with particular emphasis on projects showing promise of general social benefit but which may initially lack broad public appeal. Normally in the areas of social welfare, education, environmental conservation and the arts.

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact:

Website: https://www.grantinterface.ca/Home/Logon?urlkey=mcleanfdn

Tourism Growth Program in Atlantic Canada

Department - Organization: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - ACOA

Description: The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) aims to help Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small and medium-sized businesses, and non-profit organizations to develop local tourism products and experiences that position Canada as an all-seasons destination of choice for domestic and international travellers.

Eligible applicants include:

incorporated small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the tourism industry
Indigenous-owned businesses (including Indigenous sole proprietorships) or Indigenous tourism organizations
non-profit organizations (NPOs), including tourism associations and organizations, and post-secondary institutions
governments (municipal/provincial/territorial and related entities)

Eligible activities:

Eligible projects should provide added value to existing activities in the tourism industry and focus on business and economic growth. Priority may be given to projects that:

Increase tourism benefits for communities by driving visitation from urban centres to rural areas
Support the Indigenous tourism industry
Support economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability
Support active outdoor experiences
Extend the tourism season (projects that promote and/or develop products, services, or experiences, with an aim to increase tourism activity outside the traditional high season or to extend their services year-round)
Complement supports provided through provincial/territorial programs

Other activities could be eligible.  For further information, please contact us directly.

Example(s): Does not fund capital projects. Previous grantees can be viewed on their website.

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact:

1-888-576-4444.

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/atlantic-canada-opportunities/services/tourism-growth-program.html

Climate Change & Sustainability

Feasibility Study: Green Buildings Pathway

Department – Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Description:

The program funds detailed feasibility studies for community buildings that map out a step-by-step plan (called a "Green Buildings Pathway") to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% within 10 years and meet energy efficiency targets within 20 years. Studies help municipalities plan retrofit projects while considering building use, budget cycles and equipment replacement schedules.

Key Study Requirements:

Plan to reduce GHG emissions by at least 50% within 10 years
Meet climate zone-specific energy efficiency targets within 20 years
Follow fossil fuel phase-out rules based on location (complete phase-out in warmer zones; backup heating allowed only in extreme cold for northern zones)
Identify opportunities to reduce water use and ensure fixtures meet efficient flow standards
Consider climate resilience and future weather impacts
Include community engagement and analyze local benefits

Building Types Covered:

Athletic facilities (arenas, pools, gyms)
Recreation and community centres
Cultural facilities (libraries, arts centres)
Municipal buildings when part of a portfolio that includes community buildings

Deadlines: Applications are accepted year-round

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-877-417-0550

Website: https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding/study-ghg-reduction-pathway-feasibility

Plan: Net-Zero Transformation

Department – Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Description:

The program provides grant funding for municipalities to develop high-quality, innovative planning documents that establish a roadmap toward net-zero emissions. These plans must demonstrate innovation, have significant long-term greenhouse gas reduction potential and use integrated planning approaches that translate into actionable outcomes.

To be eligible, proposed plans must demonstrate a high level of innovation in scope or partnerships, use collaborative processes that integrate multiple disciplines and include operationalization strategies that identify implementation requirements such as projected capital needs and alternative engineering standards.

Key Program Requirements:

Innovation: Projects must target significant performance improvements through new knowledge, policy, practice, business models, or advanced technology applications, or represent substantive changes to current operating conditions.

Significant GHG Reduction Potential: Plans must have the potential to generate or enable substantial emissions reductions either directly through project implementation or indirectly by creating enabling conditions like net-zero design guidelines.

Equity Considerations: While not mandatory, preference is given to projects that integrate anti-racism, equity, inclusion and reconciliation principles, apply inclusive community engagement, implement social procurement and generate significant socio-economic benefits.

Multi-solving Approach: Higher evaluation scores are awarded to projects demonstrating excellence in areas such as water conservation, sustainable materials management, biodiversity and meaningful stakeholder engagement.

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-877-417-0550

Website: https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding/plan-net-zero-transformation

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round.

Study: Net-Zero Transformation

Department – Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Description:

The program funds feasibility studies that thoroughly assess innovative approaches and solutions with significant GHG reduction potential. These studies determine practicality and viability of potential solutions, assess impacts and benefits, mitigate risks, identify implementation requirements and recommend specific courses of action.

Studies should equip municipalities with the information needed to undertake pilot projects or implement capital projects in GMF's Net-Zero Transformation suite. Projects must demonstrate innovation through new technologies, business models, or transformative applications of existing solutions.

Study components must include:

Assessment of GHG impacts of the solution or approach being studied
Equity assessment examining impacts on equity-deserving groups and mitigation strategies
Climate risk assessment (required for studies of new infrastructure assets over $2 million)

Eligible study activities:

Target market or user assessment and technical requirements evaluation
Financial analysis (cost estimates, revenue projections, ROI, funding options)
Legal and regulatory context examination
Organizational capacity evaluation and environmental/social impact assessment
Detailed project planning and stakeholder engagement

Innovation requirement: Must target significant performance improvement over best practice through development/application of new knowledge, policy, practice, business model, or advanced technology; OR new/emerging application of existing technology representing substantive change.

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-877-417-0550

Website: https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding/study-net-zero-transformation

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round.

Pilot: Net-Zero Transformation

Department – Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Description:

The Pilot: Net-Zero Transformation program funds municipalities to test innovative GHG reduction solutions through small-scale, preliminary trials. These pilots are limited in scope, duration and resource commitment, designed to assess how well proposed concepts work in practice and identify potential challenges before full-scale implementation.

Pilot projects can involve comparing several options, testing new materials or processes within larger projects, or applying novel approaches not yet tested in Canada or specific market segments. Projects must lead to quantifiable GHG reductions and demonstrate innovation through new technologies, business models, or transformative applications of existing solutions.

Key application requirements:

Explain why the solution needs testing before full-scale implementation
Clearly identify hypotheses or assumptions being tested
Outline data collection and analysis methods to assess pilot success
Define decision criteria for proceeding to full-scale implementation
Articulate what full-scale implementation would look like
Explain how lessons learned will be applied and shared with others

Innovation criteria: Must demonstrate development/application of new knowledge, policy, practice, business model, or advanced technology; OR new/emerging application of existing technology representing substantive change to current operations.

Additional requirements: Climate resilience compliance, equity considerations and strong replication potential preferred.

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-877-417-0550

Website: https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding/pilot-net-zero-transformation

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round.

Capital Project: Net-Zero Transformation

Department – Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Description:

The Capital project: Net-Zero Transformation program provides combined loan and grant funding to support municipalities in constructing innovative infrastructure that has significant potential to contribute to net-zero goals. Projects must demonstrate breakthrough innovation through new technologies, business models, or transformative applications of existing solutions.

This program targets capital projects that are physical assets following generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Projects must show significant greenhouse gas reduction potential either directly through implementation or indirectly by creating enabling conditions for broader emissions reductions.

Key requirements:

Projects must be innovative, targeting significant performance improvements over best practice
Must have completed an assessment of GHG reduction potential using verifiable evaluation processes
Must meet climate resilience requirements (outside 100-year floodplain or with protective measures)
Projects with new infrastructure over $2 million require climate risk assessment
Strong replication potential and clear performance benefits preferred

Innovation criteria: Projects must demonstrate development/application of new knowledge, policy, practice, business model, or advanced technology; OR new/emerging application of existing technology in a manner representing substantive change to current operations.

Required supporting documents:

Completed feasibility study (or equivalent)
Environmental assessment executive summary
Climate-resilience documentation
Audited financial statements (non-municipal applicants)
Evidence of municipal support (e.g., council resolution)

Equity considerations: Preference given to projects integrating anti-racism, equity, inclusion and reconciliation principles, inclusive engagement practices and social procurement.

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-877-417-0550

Website:https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding/capital-project-net-zero-transformation

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round.

Business Case: Organic Waste-to-Energy

Department – Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Description:

The program funds municipalities to assess the viability of generating energy from organic waste materials and landfill gas. Business cases help determine whether waste-to-energy systems make practical and economic sense for a specific site or feedstock, while exploring business models and partnerships.

Projects can assess energy generation from landfill gas upgrading, anaerobic digestion of local organic waste, or energy recovery from composting, wastewater, or landfills. The program aims to help municipalities move toward net greenhouse gas reductions while potentially creating additional revenue streams from digestate and fertilizers.

Eligible activities include:

Evaluation of local organic waste feedstocks and waste-to-energy systems
Financial analysis and market assessment for energy products
Site viability evaluation and partnership opportunity assessment
Environmental, social and economic impact assessment
Lifecycle assessment of proposed feedstocks (required)
Stakeholder engagement and regulatory context examination

Key requirements:

Project must generate energy from landfill gas, anaerobic digestion, or energy recovery systems
Must result in net GHG emissions reduction compared to current baseline
Must create net energy benefit relative to current baseline
Business case should prepare municipality for potential feasibility study

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-877-417-0550

Website: https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding/business-case-organic-waste-energy

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round.

Capital Project: Community Energy Systems

Department – Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Description:

The program provides combined loan and grant funding to support municipalities in constructing low-carbon community energy systems. Projects must deploy systems that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, create social benefits and integrate into municipal asset management plans.

This funding is specifically for capital projects that build on completed feasibility studies and demonstrate strong community support. The program targets 100% renewable community energy systems with solid financial returns and measurable environmental impact.

Key Program Requirements:

Minimum Project Scale: At least two buildings required for district energy projects; renewable electricity systems must power multiple systems and buildings.

GHG Reduction Target: Thermal energy projects must reduce emissions by at least 40% compared to current performance, achievable within three years of implementation.

Feasibility Study: Must build on a completed GMF-funded feasibility study or equivalent that assessed technical, financial, environmental, social and economic impacts.

Community Support: Required records of local government council approval and initiation of impact assessment process where applicable.

Biomass Restrictions: For grid-connected communities, biomass combustion must be integrated into broader low-carbon district energy systems. Harvested wood is not eligible as fuel source; forest thinning for fire risk mitigation is eligible. Combined heat and power systems with biomass cannot be submitted under this program.

Climate Resilience: New infrastructure assets must be built outside current 100-year floodplains unless protection is demonstrated. Projects over $2 million require Climate Risk Assessments.

Multi-solving Approach: Higher evaluation scores for projects demonstrating excellence in sustainable materials management, biodiversity, socio-economic benefits and meaningful stakeholder engagement

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-877-417-0550

Website: https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding/capital-project-community-energy-systems

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round

Study: Community Energy Systems

Department – Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Description:

The program provides grant funding for municipalities to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies that assess the technical, financial, environmental, social and economic impacts of proposed community energy systems. These studies are essential groundwork for future capital projects and help municipalities make informed decisions about renewable energy investments.

Eligible studies include assessments of renewable energy generation (solar, wind, biomass), district energy systems, energy recovery projects and integrated community energy solutions. Studies must demonstrate innovation, significant greenhouse gas reduction potential and strong community engagement approaches.

Key Program Requirements:

Innovation: Projects should strive to demonstrate innovation through new knowledge, policy, practice, business models, or advanced technology applications that represent substantive improvements over current best practices.

Minimum Project Scale: At least two buildings required for district energy projects; renewable electricity systems should be able to power multiple systems and buildings.

Significant GHG Reduction Potential: Studies must assess projects with potential for substantial long-term greenhouse gas reductions, either directly through energy system implementation or indirectly by creating enabling conditions.

Integrated Planning Approach: Must use collaborative processes that integrate multiple disciplines and stakeholder perspectives to develop comprehensive energy solutions.

Implementation Strategy: Studies must include operationalization strategies identifying implementation requirements, projected capital and operational costs, and alternative approaches.

Community Engagement: Required meaningful consultation with stakeholders and rights holders, with preference for inclusive engagement practices that consider equity-deserving groups.

Climate Resilience: For studies involving new infrastructure, must address climate resilience considerations and flood risk management where applicable.

Multi-solving Benefits: Higher evaluation scores for studies that assess multiple benefits including sustainable materials management, biodiversity impacts and socio-economic outcomes.

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-877-417-0550

Website: https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding/study-community-energy-systems

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round

Capital Project: Green Buildings Pathway Retrofit

Department – Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Description:

The program provides combined loan and grant funding for municipalities to retrofit community buildings that implement one or more phases of a Green Buildings Pathway as defined in a completed feasibility study. Projects must be supported by a Green Buildings Pathway feasibility study and demonstrate community support through council resolutions and appropriate impact assessment processes.

Key Project Requirements:

Based on completed Green Buildings Pathway feasibility study
Must include at least one retrofit phase from the pathway
Projects sequenced to achieve 50% GHG reductions within 10 years and energy efficiency targets within 20 years
Follow fossil fuel phase-out rules based on location
Include community engagement and impact assessment processes

Eligible Buildings:

Projects must include at least one community building owned by a municipality or not-for-profit organization. Community buildings are enclosed public places or workplaces that are:

Owned by a municipal government or not-for-profit organization
Primarily used to provide athletic, recreational, cultural and community programs or services to the local community
Widely accessible to everyone, offering services that enhance health, well-being, skills development and economic development

Building types include:

Indoor ice rinks, sports arenas, swimming pools
Community and recreational centres (community centres, clubhouses, seniors' centres, clubs, recreation centres, gyms, halls, curling rinks)
Arts and culture facilities (cultural facilities, performing arts facilities, art galleries, auditoriums)
Libraries
Multi-purpose buildings that include community functions along with other services or administrative functions

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-877-417-0550

Website: https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding/capital-project-ghg-reduction-pathway-retrofit

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round

Capital Project: GHG Impact Retrofit

Department – Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Description:

The Capital Project: GHG Impact Retrofit provides combined loan and grant funding to help municipalities and municipal partners retrofit community buildings to achieve at least a 30% reduction in GHG emissions from baseline performance. Projects can involve a single community building or a portfolio of buildings.

Eligible projects include retrofits targeting:

Single community buildings achieving 30% GHG reduction
Portfolios of multiple community buildings within the same municipality
Portfolios including at least one community building plus other non-community municipal buildings
Similar community buildings across multiple municipalities (subject to GMF review)

Eligible Community Buildings: Community buildings are enclosed public places or workplaces owned by municipalities or not-for-profit organizations, primarily used to deliver athletic, recreational, cultural and community programs. Examples include:

Athletic facilities (indoor rinks, arenas, pools, gyms)
Recreational facilities (recreation centres, clubhouses)
Cultural facilities (performing arts centres, galleries, libraries)
Community centres, seniors centres, halls

Key Project Requirements:

Must reduce GHG emissions by at least 30% compared to baseline
Baseline performance may be estimated where retrofits change building size or function
GMF validates baseline calculations provided in feasibility studies

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-877-417-0550

Website: https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding/capital-project-ghg-impact-retrofit

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round

Urban Forestry Plans and Studies

Department – Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Description:

This funding opportunity is offered under the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative. The program funds plans or studies focused on sustainable expansion and resilience of community forests and trees. Plans and studies must outline how the community will implement results to make real, measurable changes and must consider socio-economic benefits, community climate change resilience, biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Communities can receive funding for plans and studies that prioritize equity-deserving communities and address systematic inequalities in tree planting locations, resource distribution and access to long-term benefits of trees and urban green spaces.

Eligible Plan or Study Categories:

Urban forest strategy or plan
Long-term strategies or action plans to manage, enhance and protect the entire urban forest (e.g., urban forest strategy or management plan, urban forest operational plan, urban forest asset management plan)

Tree planting strategy or plan
Strategies or plans specifically aimed at guiding community-wide or regional tree planting efforts, with focus on achieving strategic tree planting goals such as increasing tree abundance (e.g., tree planting strategy or framework, tree planting master plan)

Urban forestry policy or guideline
Policies or guidelines that help shape effective urban forestry policies governing tree preservation, planting and maintenance (e.g., tree or urban forest bylaws, technical guidelines and standards, urban forestry best practices and operational design standards)

Urban forestry community engagement strategy or plan
Plans to involve community members in urban forest management and education (e.g., urban forest collaboration and partnership plans, community education and engagement strategy, capacity building strategy for tree planting and maintenance)

Urban forest assessment and analysis
Projects that involve gathering, analyzing and assessing data and information to better understand and manage urban forests (e.g., tree inventory, land cover analysis, planting site inventory, canopy growth modelling, planting prioritization study, forest structure and function study, urban forest climate vulnerability assessment, urban forest current conditions assessment, urban tree risk assessment)

How to Apply: Submit via the online Submission Form.

Deadlines:

April 15, 2026

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-877-417-0550

Website: https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding/urban-forestry-plans-studies

Climate-Ready Infrastructure Service

Department: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

Description:

The Climate-Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS) is a federally supported national program that provides no-cost expert advisory support to help small communities integrate climate resilience and low-carbon solutions into housing and infrastructure projects.

Administered by the Canadian Urban Institute and funded by the Government of Canada’s Housing, Infrastructure and Communities department, CRIS connects local governments and Indigenous communities with climate and infrastructure experts who deliver in-kind professional consulting at no charge.

CRIS offers three types of expert support:

Climate Adaptation: Provides guidance to ensure construction or retrofit projects are resilient to flooding, sea-level rise, or extreme weather (e.g., designing a seawall or trail to withstand future high tides).
Climate Mitigation: Offers advice to improve energy efficiency, incorporate renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in new facilities.
Combined Low-Carbon and Resilience: Supports projects that both cut emissions and enhance resilience, such as a low-carbon community facility designed to serve as a “resilience hub” during wildfires, flooding, or extreme heat.

By delivering expert services instead of direct funding, CRIS helps communities future-proof their infrastructure while reducing emissions and building resilience without adding financial burden to local budgets.

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round

Contact:

Website: https://climatereadycanada.ca/

Thriving Forests Program

Department - Organization: Clean Foundation

Description: Thriving Forests is a sister program to the federal 2Billion Trees program. This program can help municipalities develop projects and connect them with service suppliers and local seed stock inventory. All projects must be planting incremental trees, meaning above and beyond any current legally-required tree planting activities, and not be part of business-as-usual commercial forestry activities.

Example(s): Examples of successful projects may include (but are not limited to): Reforesting an area after a wildfire, reforesting an urban area that has fallen to disease, afforestation on retired agricultural land, restoration of legacy forest landings or forest roads, urban planting projects, initiatives to improve biodiversity and habitat resilience, reforesting an area where disturbances impact a critical habitat, infill planting or underplanting to increase biodiversity of an area.

Deadline: Open for expression of interest

Contact:

Website: Thriving Forests Program

Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund

Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada

Description: The fund will provide up to $1.5 billion in federal funding over 7 years for clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to enable the sustainable development and expansion of critical minerals in Canada. Designed to: Unlock new critical mineral resources, support improved environmental performance at mine sites, facilitate market access for critical minerals, and strengthen supply chains (i.e., by connecting resources to midstream processing and refining, and downstream manufacturing). Two streams: preconstruction and project development activities (Stream 1 – closed June 27, 2025) and infrastructure deployment activities (Stream 2).

Stream 2: Shovel-ready infrastructure deployment – Supports construction-ready projects that enable critical mineral development through transportation or clean energy infrastructure.

Example(s):

Construction or upgrade of roads, bridges, or transmission lines that connect critical mineral sites to processing facilities.
Clean energy projects like wind or solar installations supporting mine operations.
Retrofits of existing renewable energy projects (including hardware and software) to enable grid connection and integration.
Infrastructure-related engagement and training initiatives with local and Indigenous communities.

Deadline: full applications accepted continuously until March 4, 2026.

Contact:

Website: Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund

Charged (Pollution Probe) - EV Charging Rebate

Department - Organization: Pollution Probe/ Natural Resources Canada

Description: Pollution Probe is launching a new round of funding in NS. Municipalities are eligible for 50% funding on the installation and purchase of EV chargers, up to 100,000$ per site. Installation must occur before March 31st, 2026.

Deadline: First-come, first-served basis.

Contact: The program is in partnership with FLO. Clément Rebotier () from FLO is available to assist with the application process.

Website: Charged (as of April 8th, 2025, the website has not been updated to reflect the new round of funding; contact for details)

Incentives for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles

Department - Organization: Transport Canada

Description: The iMHZEV Program offers point-of-sale incentives for Canadian organizations and businesses (this includes municipalities) that buy or lease an eligible MHZEV. The incentive will be applied at the point-of-sale by the dealership or other authorized sellers such as automakers and/or vehicle finishers/distributors, once they have confirmed your eligibility. As part of the eligibility verification, you will need to complete the Organization Consent Form. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will need to complete the Incentive Received Form, and then, the incentive will appear directly on the bill of sale or lease agreement of the eligible MHZEVs.

You can search for eligible vehicles here.

Deadline: Rebates are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and will remain available until the program budget is exhausted.

Contact:

Website: https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/innovative-technologies/zero-emission-vehicles/incentives-medium-heavy-duty-zero-emission-vehicles

Climate Ready Infrastructure Service

Department - Organization: Environment and Climate Change Canada

Description: CRIS is a new capacity-building initiative that connects local governments and communities with top climate experts. This free service (worth $20k+) aims to help municipalities across Canada integrate low-carbon resilience into their infrastructure projects, ensuring that they are better prepared to address the challenges of a changing climate. Experts include engineers, architects, planners, climate scientists, climate equity specialists with RP credentials, LEED accreditation, ISI, Envision certification and more. Complete the online form (Takes 10 minutes).

Eligibility: Local communities with a population of approximately 30,000 or less are eligible, including an Indigenous Governing Body or authority, or unincorporated communities within a regional district.

Examples:

Climate Adaptation: If your community has plans to construct or retrofit housing or infrastructure, CRIS experts can help bring leading science to ensure that the project is resilient to climate change impacts. For example, if a community plans to replace a seawall or riverside bike/pedestrian path, experts from the roster can help to evaluate the conditions and offer options to reduce the likelihood that the new path is destroyed by future high tides or flooding.
Climate Mitigation: If your community is building a new community facility, experts from the service can help to ensure it is being designed to be energy efficient, utilize renewable energy sources, or be a low-carbon facility in other ways.
Combination Low-Carbon and Climate Resilience: Projects may offer opportunities to both address climate-related risks and to use renewable energy and low-carbon materials. For instance, a low-carbon new community facility may also be located and designed to serve as a ‘resilience hub’ or

Deadline: Currently accepting projects.

Contact: Complete the online form. Questions contact:

Website: https://climatereadycanada.ca/apply-now

Natural Asset Management Roadmap

Department - Organization: Intact Public Entities/ Natural Assets Initiative

Description: Intact Public Entities (IPE) has announced a new partnership with Natural Assets Initiative (NAI) to sponsor the Natural Asset Management Roadmap Program for municipalities (for those insured by Intact). Developed and led by NAI, the program provides direction, support and guidance to local governments as they develop roadmaps to account for natural assets in their asset management strategies. Roadmaps have proven to be a relatively low-effort, high-impact activity requiring no more than a few days of effort for the project lead and a few hours from the other staff participants; yet it provides a strong foundation for participants to get started on Natural Asset Management with confidence that they are on the right track.

Deadline: Open call for EOI

Contact:

Website: https://www.intactpublicentities.ca/natural-asset-management-roadmap-program

2Billion Trees

Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada

Description: The program provides financial support to organizations to plant trees over 10 years. Please also see the Clean Foundation's sister program, the Thriving Forests Program.

Deadline: Open call for proposals

Contact:

Website: 2Billion Trees

Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities

Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada

Description: Provides funding for clean energy projects in rural and remote communities. Including biomass heating, district heating, and combined heat and power systems. There is also a stream for research, development, and demonstration projects. A rural community is defined as a community with a population of fewer than 5,000 people and a population density of fewer than 400 persons per square kilometre and not connected to the North American piped natural gas network. Remote community refers to a community not currently connected to the North American electrical grid or the piped natural gas network and is a permanent or long-term (5 years or more) settlement with at least 10 dwellings.

Example(s): Fort Nelson, BC: This investment will focus on community energy planning, feasibility modelling, design, permitting and resource assessment to support a geothermal electricity generation project under the Emerging Renewable Power Program.

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact: https://forms-formulaires.alpha.canada.ca/en/id/clj8xxq1o00bsyq658jldwr5l

Website: Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities

Energy Rebates & Solutions

Department - Organization: Efficiency Nova Scotia

Description: These programs include rebates, for a variety of measures to make municipal operations more efficient. Non-electric retrofits, which allow for the installation of heat pumps in municipal buildings. For many smaller municipalities, all of their facilities (except water and wastewater treatment facilities, arenas and indoor pools) will likely qualify for this program. There is also support for engineered studies and models. You can use their online form to explain what you’re looking to achieve.

Deadline: Continuous intake

Website: Energy Rebates & Solutions

Environmental Damages Fund

Department - Organization: Environment and Climate Change Canada

Description: Supports projects that benefit the natural environment, achieve restoration of damage to the natural environment and wildlife conservation, in a cost-effective way. Priority is given to projects that restore the natural environment and conserve wildlife, followed by environmental quality improvement initiatives, research and development on environmental restoration and improvement, education and awareness on issues affecting the health of the natural environment.

Example(s): Install reef balls in the Halifax Harbour to create and restore marine habitat. These reef balls will complete a network of over 7.5 hectares of reef structures in Halifax Harbour.

Deadline: There is now an open call for applications.

Contact:

Website: Environmental Damages Fund

Farm Credit Canada Community Fund

Department - Organization: Farm Credit Canada

Description: FCC Community Funding is to help enhance communities. Eligible organizations can apply for up to $10,000 in FCC Community Funding annually and applications are accepted year-round.

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact:

Website: Farm Credit Canada Community Fund

Green Energy Financing/ Community Efficiency Financing (PACE Programs)

Department - Organization: FCM & Clean Foundation & PACE Atlantic

Description: Homeowners can access low-interest financing to cover the cost of these upgrades through PACE programs offered by their municipalities. Each municipality can have their own PACE program or can join a turnkey program. Such as the Clean Energy Financing program created by Clean Foundation, or PACE Atlantic. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities administers the Community Efficiency Financing program that offers loans and grants to help municipalities across Canada deliver energy efficiency and solar power financing programs for residential properties, including PACE.

Deadline: Continous

Contact:

Website: Green Energy Financing/ Community Efficiency Financing (PACE Programs)

Green Freight Program

Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada

Description: The program will help fleets reduce their fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from on-road freight through fleet energy assessments, fleet retrofits, engine repowers, best-practice implementation and the purchase of low-carbon vehicles. There are two streams, municipal governments are listed as eligible applicants on both streams. Stream 1 of the program provides grant funding up to a maximum of $250,000 per Applicant. Stream 2 contributes up to 50% of total project costs, up to a maximum of $5 million per project.

Example(s): Stream 1 includes Third-Party Fleet Energy Assessments; and/or Truck/Trailer Equipment Retrofits. Stream 2: They can include, but are not limited to, the purchase of fueling equipment and costs associated with site preparation and networking equipment; however, land is not considered an eligible expenditure under this program. The retrofitting or upgrading of existing capital assets is included under this stream.

Deadline: Stream 1 is a continuous intake

Contact:

Website: Green Freight Program

Max Bell Foundation Grants

Department - Organization: Max Bell Foundation

Description: The Max Bell Foundation makes grants to support projects that are designed to inform public policy. They do so across four program areas: Education; Environment; Health & Wellness; and Civic Engagement and Democratic Institutions. A typical project supported by Max Bell Foundation ranges from 1-3 years in duration and has a budget that ranges from approximately $10,000 to $200,000. Max Bell Foundation is often the only financial supporter of projects they fund. Not for building or service delivery, it is for projects that inform public policy. You can view previous grants awarded here: https://www.maxbell.org/about-us/grants-database/

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact: Contact Form

Website: Max Bell Foundation Grants

McLean Foundation Grant

Department - Organization: The McLean Foundation

Deadline: Continuous

Contact:

Website: https://www.grantinterface.ca/Home/Logon?urlkey=mcleanfdn

Municipal Adoption Fund

Department - Organization: Divert Nova Scotia

Description: Divert NS provides support for municipalities and/or waste management regions that wish to adopt a waste diversion program previously established in Nova Scotia.

Deadline: Continuous intake. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their Regional Coordinator in advance of submitting their application.

Example(s): Curbside collection and recycling of textiles, Green cart collection of pet waste, Curbside collection and recycling of expanded polystyrene, Implementation of a reuse center, Curbside collection and recycling of small scrap metal.

Contact: Regional coordinator (To be updated ASAP)

Website: Municipal Adoption Fund

Municipal Efficiency Fund

Department - Organization: Divert Nova Scotia

Description: Divert NS provides support for increasing efficiency in the municipal solid waste-resource management system of Nova Scotia. The fund will support municipalities in researching, developing and implementing efficiency projects.

Deadline: Continuous intake. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their Regional Coordinator in advance of submitting their application.

Example(s): Eligible projects under the program could include: Projects assessing the feasibility of shared services or regional collaboration. Projects that create new processes, systems and services or improve substantially those already in existence. Examples of past research can be found here.

Contact: Regional coordinator (To be updated ASAP)

Website: Municipal Efficiency Fund

Community Development

Free to Play Fund

Department: Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia (RCFNS)

Description:

Free to Play is a national fund delivered locally by community foundations, including the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia. It supports projects that help children spend more time playing outside – moving, exploring, taking healthy risks, and connecting with others in welcoming outdoor spaces.

In Nova Scotia, RCFNS is inviting eligible local organizations across rural communities to apply for this first intake. The focus is on outdoor, child-led play rather than structured sport or adult-directed programs, with an emphasis on equity, imagination, and curiosity.

The fund aims to:

Increase everyday opportunities for outdoor play
Reduce physical and social barriers that limit outdoor play
Support children’s well-being, confidence, and healthy development
Contribute to a long-term culture shift that values outdoor play as essential to childhood

Free to Play recognizes that outdoor play has declined due to more screen time, safety concerns, busy family schedules, and limited accessible spaces. It responds by investing in local projects and partnerships that create the time, space, and freedom children need to play on their own terms.

RCFNS will use a participatory approach for this intake. Applicants will help decide how funds are allocated across approved projects and will receive an honorarium for their time in allocation meetings.

Components of Outdoor Play Activities

Successful outdoor play projects typically include one or more of these elements:

Access to Outdoor Spaces and Materials: Ensure children have access to quality outdoor spaces along with materials that support play, like small loose parts, tools, and/or storage for equipment.

Training and Support: Provide opportunities for caregivers, educators, and community members to learn how to encourage and facilitate outdoor play.

Supportive Policies: Develop or adapt policies and tools that make outdoor play easier to include in programs and help manage risk.

Community Engagement: Involve families, caregivers, and community members to understand and support outdoor play and risk.

Eligible Activities

Projects must:

Take place in rural Nova Scotia (within communities served by RCFNS)
Support the objective of Free to Play
Be open to the community they intend to serve
Create lasting impact beyond one or two-day events

Examples of eligible activities include running, climbing, digging, building, splashing, rolling, imagining, pretending, playing with natural materials like sticks, mud, water, sand, grass, or snow, taking risks, testing ideas, and learning how to navigate challenge and uncertainty.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses include: administrative costs directly related to the project, staff salaries and benefits for project staff, contractor or professional fees, materials and supplies, communications, training and workshops, evaluation, translation and interpretation, and local travel and transportation tied to the project.

Website: https://rcfofns.com/free-to-play-rcfns?mc_cid=d3203b24aa&mc_eid=9197070e9f

Deadline: February 24, 2026

Community Facilities Improvement Program -

Department: Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage

Description: The Community Facilities Improvement Program supports community-led projects which enhance the public use of existing facilities. This includes repairs and improvements to building exteriors and interior features that are integral to the long-term sustainability of the facility.

Eligible Applicants may include:

Joint Stocks-registered Not-for-Profits in good standing
Federally registered Charities or Not-for-Profit Corporations in good standing.
Mi’kmaw bands

Nova Scotia Funding guidelines: https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-in-our-future/community-facilities-improvement-program

Website: https://cch.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/inline/documents/2026-27_cfip_guidelines.pdf

Contact:

(902) 424-5793 t
(902) 424-0710 f

Deadline: February 14, 2026

R. Howard Webster Foundation

Department - Organization: R. Howard Webster Foundation

Description: The R. Howard Webster Foundation makes grants to outstanding Canadian charitable organizations offering unique and inspiring programs or projects for the benefit, improvement and development of Canadian society. The R. Howard Webster Foundation’s funding interests are within the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Medical, and Social Services.

Example(s): Does not fund capital projects. Previous grantees can be viewed on thier website.

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact:

Website: R. Howard Webster Foundation

RBC Community Investment Fund

Department – Organization: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) / RBC Foundation

Description: RBC’s Community Investment program provides funding for innovative, expanding, and ongoing community projects through four main streams. The program supports initiatives that align with one or more of RBC’s core impact areas: climate/environment, skills and jobs for the future and community prosperity.

Funding Streams & Details:

Seed – Supports new or early-stage initiatives to incubate innovative ideas.
Provides up to $1,000,000 (maximum $500,000 per year) for projects up to 2 years in duration. RBC can fund up to 100% of the project budget (no more than 20% of the organization’s total operating budget).
Purpose: Helps launch experimental or untested approaches.
Scale – For proven projects aiming to expand their reach or impact.
Provides up to $1,500,000 (maximum $500,000 per year) for projects up to 3 years. RBC will fund up to 50% of the project budget (up to 20% of the operating budget).
Purpose: Helps successful initiatives serve more people or new areas.
Sustain – For ongoing, established programs that require long-term support.
Provides up to $2,500,000 (maximum $500,000 per year) for projects up to 5 years. RBC covers up to 25% of the project budget (up to 20% of operating budget).
Purpose: Maintains established projects with lasting community impact.
Respond – For immediate or urgent community needs, such as disaster relief or crisis response.

Provides up to $500,000 for projects up to 1 year. Generally, funds up to 20% of the organization’s operating budget.
Purpose: Rapid deployment for urgent or short-term critical issues.

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round with a typical response time of 90 days.

Eligibility: Canadian registered charities, non-profits and qualified donees (including municipalities, Indigenous governments and public institutions).

How to Apply: Applications must be submitted online via the RBC Community Investment Portal.

Contact:

Website: https://www.rbc.com/our-impact/apply-for-funding/community-investments-canada.html

Connect2 Program

Department - Organization: NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage

Description

The Connect2 grant program enables communities to create more options for walking, biking, wheeling and shared mobility while increasing connectivity to community and other modes of transportation. The program supports projects that enable and increase active transportation options, including building infrastructure for short-distance travel. Projects should test new ideas or best practices that connect destinations, increase equity and access in transportation opportunities, and decrease dependency on personal vehicles.

Three Project Categories

Active Transportation Infrastructure & Design (up to $100,000):

Temporary changes testing approaches to design and infrastructure with temporary installation of bike lanes, public spaces and active transportation routes
Engineering or feasibility studies
Core active transportation network plans
Core active transportation network infrastructure
Multi-use pathways
Small scale projects increasing connectivity to priority destinations for community

Shared Mobility (up to $75,000):

Active transportation shared mobility services pilot projects
Bicycle fleet pilot projects

Capacity Building and Community Engagement (up to $50,000):

Municipal staff training, capacity building or networks
Social marketing
Public engagement activities
Education and awareness
Community building and engagement

*Note: Examples provided are illustrative but not comprehensive. The program welcomes project ideas outside those listed, provided they align with a category.

Eligibility Criteria

Primary partner must be based in Nova Scotia and ideally based in the community or region the project will serve
Projects should be identified as a community priority, or identified in the community plan/municipal document, or have a letter of support from Council
Must demonstrate the project's potential to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs)
Must clearly demonstrate project improves connectivity to services, active transportation networks and other modes of transportation
Must demonstrate all necessary permits at the time of application

Key Requirements

Projects eligible for funding up to 75% of total project costs
Connect2 funding will not exceed 75% of total project costs and/or category capped value
Remaining funding can include other sources of municipal, federal, provincial or community government contributions and/or other sources. However, no more than 75% of total project cost can be funded through provincial government.

Deadline: February 14, 2026

Contact:

Website: https://novascotia.ca/connect2/

Community Development Fund (CDF)

Description: Community Development Fund Loans offer Additional financial assistance up to $225,000 in the form of repayable loans to businesses and offer financial assistance in terms of loans or bridge financing to non-profit associations.

Deadline: Ongoing

Website: https://www.cbdc.ca/en/programs/community-development-fund-cdf

Contact:
Tel: (902) 258-3698
Fax: (902) 258-3689

Hours:
Monday to Friday
8:30AM to 4:30PM

TD Ready Commitment

Department – Organization: TD Bank Group

Description: TD Ready Commitment provides community donations and sponsorships to municipalities, registered charities, Indigenous communities and non-profits for programs and events that deliver measurable community outcomes under four drivers: Connected Communities, Vibrant Planet, Financial Security and Better Health. Eligible projects can include:

Inclusive community events, arts/culture programming and place-making (Connected Communities)
Urban greening, parks/tree planting, habitat restoration and low-carbon initiatives (Vibrant Planet)
Financial literacy, youth employment/skills training and newcomer economic inclusion (Financial Security)
Mental-wellbeing, active living and health-equity access initiatives delivered with community partners (Better Health)

Key Parameters & Terms:

Typical request range: from $1,000 to over $1,000,000, depending on project and budget.
Normally no more than 20% of your annual operating budget can be covered.
Usually no more than 15% of the grant can go to admin/overhead (program delivery costs don’t count as admin).
For large grants ($500,000+), up to 20% may go to capital tied to the initiative and up to 10% for evaluation.
Only one request per organization per year.

Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed four times a year (January, April, July, October).

Eligibility: Canadian registered/incorporated charities and not-for-profits, municipalities, and Indigenous communities.

How to Apply: Submit online via TD’s Grants portal

Contact:

Website: https://www.td.com/ca/en/about-td/ready-commitment

Atlantic Lottery – Community Initiatives Sponsorship

Department – Organization: Atlantic Lottery Corporation

Description: Sponsorship funding for public events and community initiatives across Atlantic Canada that align with culture and heritage, community and economic development, or wellness. Examples include community/cultural celebrations, festivals and large events, and civic/charitable initiatives that bring people together and deliver positive social and economic impact. Branding and on-site activation opportunities are part of the sponsorship.

Key Parameters & Terms:

Sponsorship amounts typically start at $2,500, with final amounts varying based on the size and scope of the event.
Applications are evaluated on how well they align with Atlantic Lottery’s themes (Culture and Heritage, Community and Economic Development, Wellness), the reach of the event and opportunities for visibility and engagement.

Deadline: Quarterly review cycles; apply by Dec 1, Mar 1, Jun 1, Sep 1.

Eligibility: Public community initiatives held in Atlantic Canada. Municipal civic initiatives and events delivered by registered charities and incorporated non-profits are within scope.

How to Apply: Submit online via Atlantic Lottery’s sponsorship application form.

Contact:

Website: https://www.alc.ca/content/alc/en/corporate/giving-back/sponsorships.html

Economic Development Funding

CanExport Community Investments

Department – Organization: Trade Commissioner Service

Description: The CanExport Community Investments program provides financial support to Canadian communities to help attract, retain and expand foreign direct investment (FDI). The program funds activities that promote communities to international investors, build investment readiness and generate new jobs and innovation.

Key Parameters & Terms:

Funding level: Up to 50% of eligible costs
Funding range: $3,000 – $500,000 per project
Eligible activities include:
- Strategic FDI planning, analysis and community data collection
- Marketing tools, investment profiles, websites and promotional videos
- FDI training for economic development staff
- Lead generation, investor meetings and talent attraction missions

Deadline: Will be accepting applications for the 2026-27 call year from January 5 to 30, 2026.

Eligibility: Municipal governments, community-level organizations and non-profits with a mandate to attract, expand, or retain foreign direct investment (FDI).

How to Apply: Applicants must complete the online application form and submit required documentation through the CanExport Communities portal.

Contact:

Website: CanExport Community Investments

Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program

Department – Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

Description: Contribution funding for projects that help Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector seize opportunities, respond to emerging issues and test solutions to competitiveness challenges. Projects must deliver Canadian and/or sector-wide benefits (not local-only), engaging stakeholders across the targeted sector.

Key Parameters & Terms:

Funding: AAFC contribution normally up to $1,000,000 per project; generally capped at $5,000,000 over 5 years per applicant. Support may be repayable and/or non-repayable.
Cost share (typical): 50% AAFC / 50% applicant. AAFC may fund up to 75% for high-priority or public-safety projects.
Stacking limit: Total government funding (federal/provincial/territorial/municipal) cannot exceed 85% of total project funding.
Priority areas: Adaptation to new technology; Environmental sustainability; Strategic planning and capacity building; Emerging issues.

Deadline: Continuous intake until March 31, 2026.

Eligibility: Municipal governments, not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous organizations. All applicants must demonstrate the ability to deliver a Canadian and/or sector-wide project that benefits the agriculture, agri-food, or agri-based products sector as a whole.

How to Apply: Two-stage process — submit a pre-screening application via AAFC’s portal; if aligned with program priorities, you may be invited to submit a full application.

Contact:

Website: Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program

Innovation Rebate Program

Department - Organization: Invest Nova Scotia

Description: The Innovation Rebate Program (IRP) provides financial incentives for projects that assist Nova Scotia companies as they scale to increase their competitiveness.
The program supports companies as they innovate, drive productivity, increase production capacity, and adopt cleaner and more sustainable approaches to growth across Nova Scotia.
The Innovation Rebate Program works as a rebate against a company’s direct costs.

Deadline: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Projects must be completed within 3 years from the date an application is approved.

Contact: Cape Breton, Richmond, Inverness, Victoria, contact: Wanda MacLean 902.227.7144

Duties Relief Program

Department - Organization: Canada Border Services Agency

Description: The Duties Relief Program from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) allows qualified companies to import commercial goods without paying duties, as long as those goods are eventually exported. As part of the program, companies can manufacture or use the commercial goods in a limited manner before export.

Eligibility:

To qualify for the program, your company must import commercial goods under the following conditions:

The goods are later exported as-is, or
The goods are used to produce other goods for export

Deadline: Continuous intake

Website: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/ddr-red/relief-report-eng.html

Drawback Program

Department - Organization: Canada Border Services Agency

Description:

The Drawback Program can help Canadian companies compete in export markets by removing the domestic duty impact from their commercial goods. The program grants a drawback (refund) of duties that were paid on imported goods if:

The goods are eventually exported in the same condition, or
The goods are consumed or expended through a manufacturing process and eventually exported

Additionally, Canadian companies may have commercial goods that are eligible for drawbacks under the Obsolete or Surplus Goods Program. The purpose of this program is to help Canadian companies compete internationally by reducing the export costs on valueless goods that will not enter the domestic market.

Eligibility:

To qualify for the program, your company must import commercial goods under the following conditions:

The goods are later exported as-is, or
The goods are used to produce other goods for export

Deadline: Continuous intake

Website: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/ddr-red/drawback-eng.html

Nova Scotia Mineral Resources Development Fund – Communities Grant

Department - Organization: NS Dept of Natural Resources and Renewables

Description: Grants are available for projects intended to support communities as they interact with the mining industry. Activities should be intended to support the mineral resource industry in Nova Scotia. Applications and proposals for marketing grants are accepted throughout the fiscal year, starting April 1st each year. Maximum of $25,000.

Deadline: Open year-round, from 1 April 2025 to March 2026.

Contact:

Website: https://novascotia.ca/natr/meb/mrdp.asp

Emergency Services & Safety

Ship Fund

Department - Organization: Ship and Rail Compensation Canada

Description: Compensates anyone affected by oil spills from ships or boats anywhere in Canadian waters. Over the past 36 years, it has provided $29 million in compensation to Canadians, including $1 million to municipalities. It covers clean-up and response costs, property damage, environmental measures, economic loss, and other losses. Most claimants do not need to go to court or hire a lawyer. Oil doesn’t necessarily need to be spilled; the Ship Fund also compensates responders who have taken steps to prevent a spill.

Deadline: Most Claims need to be submitted within two years of the incident.

Contact:

Website: https://ship-rail.gc.ca/

Rail Fund

Department - Organization: Ship and Rail Compensation Canada

Description: Compensates anyone affected by major rail accidents involving crude oil. Compensation from the Rail Fund is available once the railway company involved in the accident has exceeded its limit of liability. It covers clean-up and response costs, personal injuries and death, property damage, environmental measures, economic and other losses. To date, no rail accident has activated the Rail Fund, so claims are not currently accepted. However, the Rail Fund actively monitors accidents involving crude oil and is ready to respond to a high volume of claims.

Deadline: Most claims need to be submitted within three years of the accident.

Contact:

Website: https://ship-rail.gc.ca/

Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund

Department - Organization: Department of Justice Canada

Description:

Support for Official Language Minority Communities: Boost the supply of legal information and socio-legal support services for official language minority communities, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations within those communities.

Support for the Justice System: Strengthen the bilingual capacity of the justice system through language training, professional development and promotion of the language of law.

Examples:

Promote awareness, information and training about issues related to access to justice in both official languages.

Develop and disseminate jurilinguistic and legal tools.
Undertake research to the benefit of official language minority communities.
Provide legal information and socio-legal support services to official language minority communities, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations within those communities.
Provide advanced training focusing on legal terminology for bilingual justice professionals.
Provide continuing professional education to people working within the justice system in a minority official language.
Contribute to the development of a curriculum for bilingual students interested in pursuing a career in the field of justice.
Elaborate on a recruitment strategy and the promotion of justice-related careers.

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact: For more information on the Support Fund and on how to submit a funding application, please write to

Website: Support Fund

Civil Forfeiture Grant Program

Department - Organization: NS Dept of Department of Justice, Public Safety and Security

Description: The Civil Forfeiture Grant Program provides one-time funding to organizations that support eligible victims of crime and targeted crime prevention initiatives across Nova Scotia. The Program is funded from the disposition of forfeited property seized by law enforcement agencies.

Example(s): The Two Peas in a Pod mentorship program targets at-risk youth who may be vulnerable to becoming involved in gang activities. This program matches at-risk youth with a peer mentor to spend 2-3 hours per week to engage in pro-social activities such as sport, tutoring and volunteering. It is expected that 30 youth in this program will become more engaged with their schoolwork and family.

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact:

Website: https://novascotia.ca/just/civil-forfeiture-grant-program.asp

Canada Community Security Program

Department - Organization: Public Safety Canada

Description:

The Canada Community Security Program (CCSP) provides time-limited funding and support for communities at risk of hate-motivated incidents and hate-motivated crimes to enhance physical security at their gathering spaces. The program is based on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles which emphasize proactive security measures that enhance safety without creating physical barriers that isolate a site.

Program Objectives

All applications must demonstrate how the proposed project meets at least one of the following objectives:

Reduce and mitigate harm caused by incidents of hate-motivated crime in targeted areas
Equip target communities to address risk of hate-motivated crime at community gathering spaces
Increase awareness of particular challenges faced by communities at risk of hate-motivated crimes

How the Program Works

CCSP funds up to 70% of eligible costs
Recipients cover the remaining 30% of project costs
Recipients can use other government funding sources as long as the total government funding does not exceed 100% for the same eligible expense
Funding transferred through either a grant or a contribution (Public Safety Canada determines the mechanism)
Contributions are generally provided as reimbursement upon project completion
Any work or purchases conducted prior to signature of funding agreement with Public Safety Canada not reimbursable (unless recipient receives written authorization)

Eligible Project Activities

Purchasing and/or installing modest security equipment and hardware
Completing minor renovations to entrance/lobby area or perimeter of site for security enhancement
Developing security assessments, security plans, emergency contingency plans and evacuation plans through certified security professionals
Providing training activities on security equipment use and how to prepare for and respond to hate-motivated incidents through certified security professionals
Providing time-limited third-party licensed security personnel (up to 90 days)

Eligible Expenses (Five Categories)

1. Physical Security Enhancement Equipment:

Protective barriers and lighting (fencing, gates, bollards, exterior security lighting, security-grade window film)
Anti-graffiti spray
Intrusion detection systems (alarm system, glass break sensors, motion sensors)
Physical access control (locking devices, key card systems)
Video surveillance (cameras, NVRs, monitors)
Labour and installation costs

2. Minor Renovations and Supplementary Equipment:

Reinforced doors
Window reinforcements for security purposes
Fire monitoring (limited to panels and related sensors)
Notification and warning systems (public address systems, intercoms, panic buttons)
Labour and installation costs
Reasonable renovations directly related to enhancing building security (limited to main entrances or lobbies)
Limited landscaping to address vulnerabilities identified in security assessment

3. Planning (by certified security professional):

Security (vulnerability) assessments of project site
Development/enhancement of security plans and protocols
Development/enhancement of emergency contingency plans
Development/enhancement of evacuation/shelter-in-place/hold and secure plans

4. Training:

On-site or online pre-developed security training relevant to responding to or preparing for hate-motivated incidents
Training on newly installed equipment use

5. Security Personnel:

Contracted time-limited (up to 90 days) third-party licensed security personnel or off-duty police officers during increased risk periods
Not intended to cover routine security needs, core or ongoing operating expenses

Eligibility Requirements

Must be private, not-for-profit organization at risk of hate-motivated incidents/crimes
Must belong to one of seven eligible recipient classes (see below)
Must demonstrate risk of hate-motivated incidents and/or crimes
Organization may qualify even if never experienced hate-motivated incident, as long as meets minimum eligibility requirements

Eligible Recipient Classes (7 types)

Places of Worship
Community Centres
Provincially/Territorially Recognized Educational Institutions
Shelters serving victims of gender-based violence
Offices and administrative spaces
Cemeteries
Child Care Centres

Deadline: Continuous

Website: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/cntrng-crm/crm-prvntn/fndng-prgrms/cnd-cmmnt-scrt-prgrm/index-en.aspx

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-800-830-3118

Funding for Employment Opportunities:

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

Department - Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada

Description:

Federal wage subsidy program providing up to 70% of wages (max $7,000) for employers hiring post-secondary students for work-integrated learning placements.

Funding Structure

The program provides two levels of wage subsidy:

Standard Placements: 50% of wages to a maximum of $5,000 per net new placement
Placements for Underrepresented Groups: 70% of wages to a maximum of $7,000 per net new placement

Underrepresented groups include women in STEM, Indigenous students, newcomers, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and first-year students.

Eligible Work-Integrated Learning Types

Work-integrated learning (WIL) is a model of curricular experiential education which formally integrates a student's academic studies within a workplace or practice setting. Eligible WIL opportunities include co-op placements, internships, practicums, applied research projects, and mentorship programs.

Eligibility and Key Employer Requirements

Eligible employers:

Registered Canadian non-profit organizations or businesses
Must provide quality work-integrated learning experience to post-secondary students
Must pay students upfront for full placement duration (wage subsidy reimbursed after completion with supporting documentation)
Cannot be government entities, crown corporations, post-secondary institutions, hospitals, or financial institutions

Student Eligibility Requirements

Students must:

Be registered as a domestic student in a recognized post-secondary institution
Be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
Be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations (international students are not eligible)
Be undertaking a placement recognized as work-integrated learning in connection with a course, degree, certificate, diploma, or other recognized program offered by the institution
Be enrolled in a full-time or part-time program from any program of study
Not be an immediate family member of the employer

Deadline: March 31, 2026

Contact:

Email :

Website: https://swpprogram.ca/

Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages

Department - Organization: Government of Canada -Department of Canadian Heritage

Description:

Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages (YCWBOL) provides salary subsidies to employers creating short-term jobs for youth aged 15 to 30. The program helps young Canadians gain practical work experience while strengthening their official language abilities either by working in their second language or by using their first language to support an official language minority community (Francophone communities outside Quebec or English-speaking communities in Quebec).

YCWBOL is part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), delivered through regional organizations across the country. Positions last from 6 to 16 weeks. The program supports employers in delivering bilingual services while helping youth develop career-oriented skills, build professional networks, and explore opportunities in both official languages.

Employer Eligibility

Eligible organizations must:

Be a private, public, or non-profit organization, or a municipality
Engage in activities of national, provincial, territorial, municipal, or community scope
Carry out activities in both official languages

Youth Participant Eligibility

Any candidate hired must:

Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada
Be legally entitled to work in Canada (valid social insurance number)
Be between 15 and 30 years of age at time of employment
Be registered in the YCW online candidate database
Have been a high school, college, CEGEP, or university student

Deadline: February 3, 2026. Applications submitted after this date will be examined on a first come first serve basis and based on the fund availability

Contact:

Email :

Telephone: 1-800-935-5555 (toll-free)

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada-works/employers/official-languages-employers.html

The Work-Sharing Program

Department - Organization: Government of Canada - Employment and Social Development Canada

Description:

The Work-Sharing Program helps employers and employees avoid layoffs when:

There is a temporary decrease in the normal level of business activity, and
The decrease is beyond the control of the employer

The agreement provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers. All employees participating in the agreement must experience a minimum 10% reduction in their normal weekly earnings to comply with the terms of the agreement.

A Work-Sharing agreement is a three-party agreement involving employers, employees and Service Canada.

Employees on a Work-Sharing agreement must agree to:

a reduced schedule of work, and
Share the available work equally over the term of the agreement

The employer and the employees involved (and the union, if applicable) must agree to participate in a Work-Sharing agreement. Then, the employer/employer representative, employee representative and, if applicable, the union representative apply to participate in a Work-Sharing agreement.

Agreement duration and extension

Work-Sharing agreements must have a minimum duration of 6 weeks and can last up to 26 weeks. If needed, an extension may be requested of up to 12 weeks bringing the initial agreement to a maximum total of 38 weeks. Work-sharing agreements are not extended automatically. To request an extension of a Work-Sharing agreement, an application must be submitted a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the end date of the Work-Sharing agreement.

A mandatory cooling-off period must be served once the agreement has ended or has been terminated. The duration of the cooling-off period will be equal to the number of weeks utilized in the previous agreement (up to a maximum of 38 weeks).

Please note that Work-Sharing agreements can only start on a Sunday to align with the Employment Insurance payment cycle. Please consider this when planning the desired start date of your agreement in your Work-Sharing application.

Special measures

The Work-Sharing Program may introduce temporary special measures at any time to provide additional support for affected businesses during a period of economic downturn, natural disaster or if a national emergency is declared. The special measures provide targeted support for businesses impacted to recover and avoid layoffs for a specific period of time.

Tariffs

Work-Sharing special measures to support businesses affected by the threat or potential realization of tariffs are effective March 7, 2025, to March 6, 2026.

Employers experiencing a decline in business activity attributable to the threat or potential realization of tariffs may be eligible for Work-Sharing special measures if they:

are operating in Canada for a minimum of 1 year
have a minimum of two EI eligible employees who agree to a reduction in hours and to share any available work

Affected businesses may benefit from the Work-Sharing special measures if they are:

new to the Work-Sharing program
have an existing Work-Sharing agreement
are serving a mandatory cooling-off period

Work-Sharing agreements approved under the tariffs' special measures:

must have a minimum duration of 6 weeks, and
may be extended, to a maximum total of 76 weeks, if required

Work-Sharing tariffs, special measures flexibilities include:

maximum duration of Work-Sharing agreement up to 76 weeks
waiving the required cooling-off period between successive Work-Sharing agreements while special measures are in place
focusing recovery measures on supporting the business' ability to maintain its viability related to the threat or potential realization of tariffs

Expanded employer eligibility

to businesses that have been in operation in Canada for 1 year
to include non-profit and charitable organizations experiencing a reduction in revenue levels as a direct or indirect result of the tariffs
to include cyclical or seasonal employers
to employers experiencing a decrease in work activity over the past six months of less than 10% and allowing utilization of Work-Sharing to exceed 60%

Expanded employee eligibility

to employees who are not year-round, permanent, full-time or part-time employees, specifically seasonal or cyclical employees
employees assisting the employer's recovery efforts

From March 7, 2025 to March 6, 2026, these special measures are in place in response to the threat or potential realization of tariffs.

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact: .

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/work-sharing.html#h2.1

Core Startup Program

Department - Organization: Futurpreneur

Description: Futurpreneur is here to empower aspiring young entrepreneurs on their journey to success! Our Core Startup Program provides loan financing and up to two years of mentorship, with added access to tools and networking opportunities across Canada. This is a flexible, equity-free startup business loan of up to $75,000, including up to $50,000 in financing from BDC.* and up to two years of mentorship *conditions apply. Core Startup Program

Eligibility

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 to 39 when you submit your application.
You must demonstrate some training or experience in your field
You must be able to demonstrate that you have experience working in your industry and related to your business idea.
You cannot be a contractor or an agent

To apply, you cannot be an agent or contractor working for another existing business.

Additional eligibility requirements :

https://futurpreneur.ca/en/eligibility/

Deadline: Continuous

Contact: 902.440-7266

Website: https://futurpreneur.ca/en/offering/core-startup/

Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP)

Department - Organization: Futurpreneur

Description: Futurpreneur empowers aspiring young Indigenous entrepreneurs on their journey to success. The Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP) provides start-up loan financing and up to two years of mentorship, supported by a team with lived experience, offering access to tools and networking. The IESP is designed and operated by an Indigenous team that understands the barriers to success faced by young and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs. IESP provides startup loan financing and up to two years of mentorship, supported by a team with lived experience, offering access to tools and networking opportunities across Canada. IESP offers A flexible equity-free startup business loan of up to $75,000* available to Indigenous entrepreneurs (including those on reserve). *Conditions apply

Eligibility:

You must self-identify as Indigenous
Indigenous entrepreneurs who self-identify as members of other communities are also welcome to apply for support from Futurpreneur.
You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 18-39
When you apply, you must be within the stated age range in order to be eligible.
You are looking to launch a business or have been operating your business for less than two years
To be eligible, your business must not yet be operational or can only have been operating full-time for 24 months or less.

Deadline: Continuous

Contact: 902.440-7266

Website:https://futurpreneur.ca/en/offering/indigenous-entrepreneur-startup/

Black Entrepreneur Startup Program

Department - Organization: Futurpreneur

Description: " We understand that starting your own business can come with its challenges, which is why we're excited to introduce our Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP)! This program is specifically designed to support young Black entrepreneurs on their journey to success." " Our team, who have their own lived experience, is here to guide you every step of the way. With BESP, you can access flexible financing, along with expert mentoring and other resources to help kickstart your business and make it thrive. This is a flexible startup business loan of up to $75,000*. With up to $40,000 in additional financing opportunities from Futurpreneur* *, some conditions apply."

Eligibility:

You must self-identify as Black
To participate in this program, participants must self-identify as Black. Intersectionality is also welcomed, eg, those who identify as Black and Indigenous are also welcome to apply.
You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 18-39
You must physically reside in Canada and be between the ages of 18 and 39 at the time of application.
You are looking to launch a business or have been operating your business for less than two years
To be eligible, your business must not yet be operational or can only have been operating full-time for 24 months or less.
The business must be majority Black-owned
When there are only two partners (owners) of the applicant business, the business must be majority Black-owned (> 50%). When there are more than two partners (owners), the business must be at least 25% Black-owned (≥25%).

Additional eligibility requirements :

https://futurpreneur.ca/en/eligibility/

Deadline: Continuous

Contact: 902.440-7266

Website: https://futurpreneur.ca/en/offering/black-entrepreneur-startup/

Side Hustle Program

Department - Organization: Futurpreneur

Description: " Our Side Hustle Program offers you up to $25,000 in financing to help you launch or grow your side business and keep your full-time job. You can also benefit from mentoring and business planning tools to help you grow your side hustle and take it to the next level."

Eligibility:

You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
You must physically reside in Canada.
You are between the ages of 18-39
At the time of your application, you must be within the stated age range to be eligible.
You have a full-time income outside of your side business
For the next 12 months, your side business will remain your secondary source of income

Additional eligibility requirements :

https://futurpreneur.ca/en/eligibility/

Deadline: Continuous

Contact: 902.440-7266

Website: https://futurpreneur.ca/en/offering/side-hustle/

PARO Lending Circle

Department - Organization: PARO

Description: " A Microfinance Program for Women- PARO Prosper Peer Lending Circles are small groups of like-minded women who meet regularly to share their experiences and expand their individual networks of contacts. PARO Prosper Lending Circles helps women connect and network with other enterprising women. Today, the PARO Prosper Circles Program is the strongest Peer Lending program in North America. One of the key elements of a Prosper Lending Circle is that members also gain access to support and loans ranging from $1000 to $5,000. Prosper Lending Circle members are involved in reviewing and approving loan applications from PARO members in their own circle. Peer loans have helped many members of Circles to grow their businesses and set new goals for the future. "

Eligibility:

A Prosper Circle loan could be the solution for you if:

You have a poor or no credit history
The loan amount you are aiming for is too low to be considered by a bank
You don’t trust typical financial institutions
You want to avoid credit card debt
You want to take advantage of additional funds.

Deadline: Continuous

Contact: or call 807 625-0328.

Website: https://paro.ca/paro-circles/

Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative - Funding Program

Department - Organization: Government of Canada - Employment and Social Development Canada

Description:

The Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative supports communities and workers significantly impacted by a mass layoff. It provides funding for community-based projects that bring together local organizations to support workforce planning and reskilling opportunities. This initiative helps build community resilience by complementing existing programs and services to help workers develop skills to transition to new jobs.

Who can apply:

Not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, municipal governments, Indigenous organizations or governments, and educational institutions.

How to apply :
Organizations can submit an expression of interest to confirm whether a mass layoff event is eligible for funding

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact:

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-retraining-opportunities-initiative.html

Foreign Credential Recognition Program

Description: The Government of Canada provides funding to governments and organizations through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) to support foreign credential recognition in Canada.

Priorities for funding under the Foreign Credential Recognition Program include projects that:
are national in scope
address priority occupations and sectors representing skill shortages in Canada, and/or
have been identified as a priority by provincial and territorial governments

The FCRP does not provide money directly to individuals; it provides funding to provincial and territorial governments and other organizations. These other organizations may include regulatory bodies, national associations and credential assessment agencies. Governments and organizations use the funding for programs that contribute to the integration of skilled newcomers in their field or a related field of study.

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/foreign-credential-recognition.html

Public Policy and Governance Internship Program

Department - Organization: Public Policy and Governance Program, St. Francis Xavier University

Description: The Public Policy and Governance program offers students an interdisciplinary education to understand how societies solve difficult economic, social, and political problems. Municipalities can offer students paid or volunteer opportunities. The placements are for a minimum of either week between late April and early September. Municipalities will benefit from interns with relevant knowledge and core skills from three years of education in public policy, public administration, economics, and statistics. Organizations taking on an intern should treat the student as a short-term contract employee in accordance with relevant policies.

Example(s): The County of Antigonish had a student who researched policy and program options, contributed to public communications materials, participated in emergency management exercises, drafted MOUs and RFPs, presented a summary of the province’s Road Trails Act to the Municipal Council, provided feedback on their Council Orientation Guide, and assisted with the development of their Housing Accelerator Fund application.

Deadline: Continuous

Contact: Peter Kikkert, Coordinator, Public Policy and Governance Program,

Website: Public Policy and Governance Internship

Housing

Funding for Indigenous Housing

Department – Organizations: CMHC Indigenous & the North Housing Solutions, Indigenous Services Canada

Description: A comprehensive suite of financing and grant programs to support housing projects for Indigenous communities. Includes new construction, repair and renewal, shelter and transitional housing, internship wage subsidies, and strategy-driven engagement.

Type: Grants, low-interest loans, forgivable loans, contributions and wage subsidies

Eligible Applicants: Indigenous governments and organizations; municipalities and other partners may be eligible when collaborating with an Indigenous lead applicant

Eligible Projects: Affordable rental housing, mixed-income housing, shelters, renovations, housing planning and strategies

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact:

Website: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professionals/project-funding-and-mortgage-financing/funding-programs/indigenous

Affordable Housing Innovation Fund

Department – Organizations: CMHC Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Description:

The Affordable Housing Innovation Fund supports new ideas that will drive change and disrupt the industry — approaches that will evolve the affordable housing sector and create the next generation of housing in Canada. The fund encourages development of novel financing models and unique building designs that overcome barriers and lower costs and risks associated with affordable housing projects.

Current Priority: Applications delivering housing units on expedited basis using modular and prefabricated construction techniques that are scalable and replicable to address homelessness. Special consideration for:

Communities that submitted Community Encampment Response Plans through the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampment Initiative
Previous Innovation Fund applicants with demonstrated experience developing solutions to address homelessness

Innovation Categories

Projects are assessed across two main innovation types:

Building Innovation: Novel designs, construction techniques, materials, or technologies (e.g., modular housing, passive house, net-zero buildings, northern climate adaptations)
Financing Innovation: New financing models, partnership structures, or capital approaches (e.g., portfolio approaches, syndicated lending, revolving funds, risk-mitigation models)

Innovation levels range from incremental (improving existing approaches) to breakthrough (fundamentally new) to transformational (industry-changing).

Eligible Projects

Projects must demonstrate innovation in building techniques or financing models that:

Overcome barriers to affordable housing development
Lower costs and risks
Are scalable and replicable
Test new approaches not yet proven in Canadian affordable housing sector

Minimum Requirements

Affordability: Based on municipal, provincial, or CMHC criteria; maintain affordability for minimum 10 years
Innovation: Novel financing models or unique designs
Financial sustainability: Demonstrate available financial resources; highlight how innovation will reduce or eliminate reliance on government subsidies
Knowledge transfer: Provide a plan for capturing and sharing information, lessons learned and insights

Deadline: continuous

Contact:

Website:

https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professionals/project-funding-and-mortgage-financing/funding-programs/all-funding-programs/affordable-housing-innovation-fund

GST/HST Purpose-built rental housing rebate ( PBRH Rebate)

Department - Organization: Government of Canada

Description: The Government of Canada is providing a 100% rebate of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), or the federal portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), paid on certain new purpose-built rental housing, with no phase-out thresholds (federal PBRH rebate).

The federal PBRH rebate may apply to

a purchase or construction of a new building
construction of an addition to an existing building
a conversion from a non-residential building, such as an office building, to a multiple-unit residential complex

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact: 1-800-567-4692

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/gst-hst-businesses/gst-hst-rebates/purpose-built-rental-housing.html

Affordable Housing Fund

Department - Organization: Canadian Mortgage and Housing Association

Description: Provides capital to partnered organizations for new affordable housing and the repair and renewal of existing affordable and community housing. Funds are provided as low-interest and/or forgivable loans and contributions. This fund is available to organizations that have partnered with another organization or level of government and have secured some funding. CMHC may provide up to 100% of the eligible project costs.

Deadline: Continuous

Contact: Before you begin the application, please contact 1-800-668-2642,

Website: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professionals/project-funding-and-mortgage-financing/funding-programs/all-funding-programs/affordable-housing-fund

Affordable Housing Development Program (AHDP)

Department - Organization: NS Department of Growth and Development

Description:

The Affordable Housing Development Program (AHDP) is the Province of Nova Scotia's housing supply program designed to increase affordable rental housing supply as rapidly as possible. Through this program, the Province supports private developers and community housing organizations to encourage and help fund the construction of new affordable housing for rent, with end beneficiaries being low-to-moderate income Nova Scotian households having difficulty finding housing at an affordable price.

The program offers flexible solutions for organizations to develop diverse, meaningful projects with funding to support construction. It was designed with flexibility and adaptability in mind so projects can meet the needs of each community. A portion of the funds available come from the Province, together with Federal support through the National Housing Strategy.

Eligible Projects: Projects must:

Be located in Nova Scotia (off-reserve)
Create affordable self-contained rental units (≥ 5 units) or shared housing occupancies (≥ 10 bedrooms)
Serve households below provincial Household Income Limits (HILs)
Deliver rents ≥ 20% below AMR for at least 15 years
Be financially viable and comply with Building Code standards for energy efficiency and accessibility
Pass environmental requirements (Phase I ESA or clearance; not on floodplain)
Have reasonable access to essential services (e.g. childcare, healthcare, recreation, education)

Deadline: Continuous

Contact:

Website: https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-create-affordable-housing-affordable-housing-development-program

Accessible Housing Program

Department: Nova Scotia's Department of Growth and Development

Description: The Accessible Housing Program helps low- and moderate-income homeowners with the cost of accessibility adaptations (upgrades) to help people with disabilities and seniors stay in their homes.

The Accessible Housing Program may fund up to $18,000 of eligible accessibility adaptations. For larger accessibility adaptation projects, an additional $20,000 may be available as a repayable loan. The applicant or other sources need to fund the remaining balance of the costs.

The funding provides $10,000 as a grant and $8,000 as a forgivable loan. To have the loan forgiven, you must meet the loan conditions.

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact:
Phone: 902-563-2120
Toll-free: 1-844-424-5110
Fax: 902-563-2370

Website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/accessible-housing-program

Affordable Housing Development Program

Department: Nova Scotia's Department of Growth and Development

Description: The Affordable Housing Development Program supports the creation of affordable housing. Private developers and community housing developers can apply for forgivable loans from the Affordable Housing Development Program to help fund the construction of new housing or the conversion of non-residential buildings. Both must include affordable rental units for households with low to moderate income.

You need to use the funding to create housing that includes affordable rental units for households with low to moderate income. Affordable housing is housing where the rent is below the average market rent (AMR) for the location.

Projects given priority for funding include housing development that:

offers rent that’s at least 20% below average market rent
offers rental units at affordable rental rates for more than the minimum 15-year affordability period
includes at least 5 affordable rental units
achieves higher-than-average social, economic or environmental outcomes
involves co-operatives, non-profit housing providers or community housing groups
has a plan for construction and operations that’s financially viable
exceeds Building Code minimum standards for accessibility
exceeds Building Code minimum standards for energy efficiency

Website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-create-affordable-housing-affordable-housing-development-program

Deadline: Continuous intake

Contact:

The Backyard Suite Incentive Program

Department: Nova Scotia's Department of Growth and Development

Description: The Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program helps homeowners create supportive housing for family members or affordable housing for tenants on their property. Homeowners can apply for a forgivable loan to build a secondary or backyard suite on the property of their principal residence. A basement apartment and an apartment detached from your primary residence are examples of a secondary suite.

Website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-build-secondary-or-backyard-suite-your-property-secondary-and-backyard-suite-incentive-program

Contact :
Phone: 902-563-2120
Toll-free: 1-844-424-5110
Fax: 902-563-2370

Deadline: Continuous intake

The Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit - Home Owners

Department: Nova Scotia's Department of Growth and Development

Description: The Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit helps homeowners stay in their homes if they pay more than 50% of their pre-tax (gross) household income on housing costs (like mortgage and utilities). Supplements are up to $200 per month. You can apply at any time.

Website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-create-affordable-housing-affordable-housing-development-program

Deadline: Continuous intake

The Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit - Renters

Department: Nova Scotia's Department of Growth and Development

Description: The Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit helps renters with the cost of their rent if they pay more than 40% of their pre-tax (gross) household income on the average market rent in their area (not the rent that they pay). You can apply at any time.

Website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-rent-supplement-canada-nova-scotia-targeted-housing-benefit

Deadline: Continuous intake

The Community Housing Acquisition Program

Department: Nova Scotia's Department of Growth and Development

Description: The Community Housing Acquisition Program helps community housing providers preserve and expand the supply of affordable housing. Community housing providers can apply to the Community Housing Acquisition Program for a loan to help buy existing multi-unit residential properties for non-market (community) housing.

Funding is available for up to 95% of the property cost. The applicant needs to fund the remaining balance of the project.

The funding provides a fixed-interest-rate, repayable loan. Terms of up to 30 years are available. The maximum loan amount available is $10 million per project, amortized over a maximum of 30 years.

You can use this funding in combination with funding from the Department of Opportunities and Social Development for supportive housing projects.

Website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-loan-buy-multi-unit-residential-properties-non-market-community-housing-community-housing-acquisition-program

Deadline: Continuous intake

The Community Housing Infrastructure and Repair Program

Department: Nova Scotia's Department of Growth and Development

Description: The Community Housing Infrastructure and Repair Program supports repairs for affordable housing. Community housing providers can apply for forgivable loans from the Community Housing Infrastructure and Repair Program to help fund capital repairs on residential buildings

Website:https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-community-housing-capital-repairs-community-housing-infrastructure-and-repair-program

Deadline: Continuous intake

The Community Housing Operating Support Program

Department: Nova Scotia's Department of Growth and Development

Description: The Community Housing Operating Support Program provides short-term operating support for community housing providers. Community housing organizations can apply to the Community Housing Operating Support Program for operating subsidies to meet immediate needs. You can apply anytime

Website:https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-operating-subsidies-community-housing-community-housing-operating-support-program

Deadline: Continuous intake

Down Payment Assistance Program

Department: Nova Scotia's Department of Growth and Development

Description: The Down Payment Assistance Program helps Nova Scotians who pre-qualify for an insured mortgage to buy their first home. You can apply to the Down Payment Assistance Program for a loan of up to 5% of the purchase price of a home to help with the down payment. You can apply anytime.

Website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-loan-help-down-payment-your-first-home-down-payment-assistance-program

Deadline: Continuous intake

The Survivors of Gender-based Violence Benefit

Department: Nova Scotia's Department of Growth and Development

Description: The Survivors of Gender-based Violence Benefit provides individuals and families who are fleeing or are planning to leave their home due to acts of gender-based violence with a monthly benefit to help pay their rent.

You get the survivors of gender-based violence benefit for up to 2 years (you need to meet additional eligibility criteria to get the supplement for the second year). After 2 years, you can apply for the Canada-Nova Scotia Targeted Housing Benefit for renters

Website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-survivors-gender-based-violence-housing-benefit

Deadline: Continuous intake

Green Municipal Fund

Department - Organization: Infrastructure Canada/Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Description: GMF is more than just a funding source—they are a full-service partner in your climate action progress. Grants and loans for all stages. Stackable with other funding sources. Dedicated staff to help you apply. Free resources to help build business cases and improve project outcomes. Grants from $100-500k for up to 50% of eligible costs, combined grant and loan to a maximum of $10M for up to 80% of eligible costs.

Community Efficiency Financing: Explore and assess options for a financing program for home energy upgrades within your community. Support project decision-making with a feasibility study.
New construction of sustainable affordable housing: Construct a new affordable housing project to a higher environmental performance standard. Finance your new build with capital project funding. Planning, study and pilot project funding is also available.
Retrofit of Sustainable Affordable Housing: Integrate deep energy efficiency measures and onsite renewable energy generation into existing affordable housing units. Finance your retrofit with capital funding. Planning, study and pilot project funding is also available.

Deadline: Continuous

Contact: or book a meeting with an advisor.

Website: Green Municipal Fund

Provincial Housing Emergency Repair Program

Description: This program is equally funded by the federal and provincial governments and offers financial assistance for homeowners to make emergency repairs to their homes.

The maximum amount of funding available is a $6,500 grant to help cover the cost of labour and materials.

Eligibility: development of future larger-scale capital projects. Eligible capital projects include buses, charging and refuelling infrastructure, and other ancillary infrastructure needs.

Deadline: Currently open for applications.

Contact: For more program information, call 1-844-424-5110 (toll-free).

Website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/housing-repair-program

Infratructure

Capital Project: Retrofit of Existing Municipal Buildings

Department: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Description:

Funding for municipalities to retrofit existing municipal and community buildings to improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions.

The Green Municipal Fund's Sustainable Municipal Buildings program provides combined grant and loan funding to help municipalities retrofit existing municipal buildings and community buildings for improved energy performance and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The program supports projects that implement one or more phases of a retrofit pathway — a sequence of measures designed to reduce GHG emissions by at least 50% within 10 years and achieve best practice energy targets within 20 years. Projects may focus on a single building or a portfolio of municipal buildings.

Eligible Building Types:
- City halls, town halls, administrative buildings
- Indoor ice rinks, indoor sports arenas, indoor swimming pools
- Public libraries
- Community and recreation centres (including gyms, halls, curling rinks)
- Arts and culture facilities (theatres, galleries, auditoriums)
- Police stations
- Multi-purpose buildings combining community functions with administrative services
- Fire halls, paramedic centres, public works buildings (eligible for stand-alone retrofits)
Eligible Retrofit Measures:
- HVAC systems and controls
- Iinsulation
- Windows and doors
- Hot water heaters
- LED lighting and lighting controls
- Solar panels and renewable energy systems
- Geothermal heat pumps
- Heat recovery systems (for arenas and pools)

Deadline: continuous

Contact:

Email:
Phone: 1-877-417-0550

Website: https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding/capital-project-retrofit-existing-municipal-buildings

RBC Foundation Community Infrastructure Fund

Department: Organization: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) / RBC Foundation

Description: The RBC Foundation Community Infrastructure Fund (Build Stream) provides substantial capital funding to support the construction, renovation, and retrofit of community spaces across Canada. Grant Size & Term: $25,000 to $2,500,000 for projects up to 5 years. The fund focuses on two core priorities:

Environmental sustainability (e.g., energy efficiency upgrades, reducing greenhouse gas emissions)
Physical accessibility (e.g., making spaces fully accessible for people of all abilities)

Eligible Projects:

New construction or major renovations of community-use facilities
Energy efficiency retrofits (e.g., insulation, HVAC upgrades, solar panels, LED lighting)
Accessibility upgrades (e.g., ramps, elevators, accessible washrooms, automatic doors, signage)

Deadline: Next intake anticipated Winter 2026.

Eligibility: Canadian registered charities, public institutions, and other qualified donees (including municipalities and Indigenous governments).

How to Apply: Applications must be submitted online via the RBC Community Investment Portal

Contact:

Website: https://www.rbc.com/our-impact/apply-for-funding/community-investments-canada.html

Community Facilities Improvement Program -

Department: Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage

Eligible Applicants may include:

- Joint Stocks-registered Not-for-Profits in good standing
- Federally registered Charities or Not-for-Profit Corporations in good standing.
- Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw bands

Website:

https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-in-our-future/community-facilities-improvement-program

Contact:

(902) 424-5793 t
(902) 424-0710 f

Deadline: February 14, 2026

Legion Capital Assistance Program

Department: Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage

Description:

The Legion Capital Assistance Program (LCAP) is intended to assist Royal Canadian Legions across Nova Scotia with capital upgrades to existing buildings used to house legion events and community activities.

The program will provide up to 50% of the total eligible costs to a maximum of $10,000 for eligible projects. In-kind trade work may be considered as part of the organization's share.

Legions who received funding in 2025-2026 are eligible to apply; however, their applications will only be reviewed if there is budget remaining after reviewing applications from those Legions who have not received funding in the past three years.

Contact:

Communities Nova Scotia Unit
Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
1741 Brunswick Street, 3rd Floor
PO Box 456 STN Central
Halifax, NS B3J 2R5

Phone: 902- 424-5793
Email:

Website:

https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-our-future/community-funding-and-awards/legion-capital-assistance-program

Deadline: February 14, 2026

Other

HEAT Fund

Department: The Salvation Army

Description:

The Home Energy Assistance Top-up (HEAT) Fund is now open for 2026 applications.For more than 20 years, this program has offered vital support to Nova Scotians facing challenges with home heating costs during the winter season. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Province of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Power—along with generous contributions from employees and customers—the HEAT Fund provides assistance to more families each year. The Salvation Army administers the HEAT Fund in Nova Scotia.

How do I qualify?

You may apply to the HEAT Fund if:

You live in Nova Scotia
Your household has not received HEAT Fund assistance in the last calendar year
You are experiencing an emergency heating situation
You live within the following income thresholds:
- $29,000 for single-person households
- $47,703 for 2-4 person households
- $67,937 for households of 5 or more individuals

Documents and personal information needed for the application include:

Heating source receipt or bill
Proof of income (including child tax benefits)
Heating supplier name and account number

The HEAT Fund will remain open starting January 12, 2026 and will continue until funds are depleted. Approved applicants will receive one-time assistance of up to $400, depending on the amount required.

How to apply:
Online : HEAT Fund Application & Information

Deadline: Ongoing

Feed Nova Scotia The Community Food Sovereignty Grant:

Department: / Organization Feed NS

Description

The goal of the CFS Grant Stream is to support community-based initiatives that advance a vision of community food sovereignty. Funded initiatives may include projects that: • Strengthen local food systems • Increase community ownership and participation in food systems • Improve local food production and access • Promote traditional and cultural foods • Support the transfer of knowledge about cultural foodways within or between communities

The initiative should advance one or more of the following goals;

• The initiative advances a vision of community ownership of food systems, community resilience, cultural preservation, and/or community self-sufficiency.

• The initiative strengthens local food systems, • Improves food production and access, • Promotes traditional foods,

• Supports transfer of intergenerational knowledge about cultural food systems .

• Take place within the province of Nova Scotia. • There is a clear start and end date for the funding request, which lasts no longer than two years from the proposed start date.

Website:

https://feednovascotia.ca/grant-opportunities/

Contact: or call 902-457-1900

Deadline: February 27th at 11:59 pm.

Feed Nova Scotia Feed Prototype Stream:

Department: / Organization Feed NS

Description

Feed Nova Scotia’s Innovation and Learning Grant: Prototype Stream is aimed to help kick-start new ideas to address food insecurity across Nova Scotia. Funding requests can range anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 per initiative.

Requirements for your proposed initiative:

• The initiative advances a vision of food access centred around dignity, agency and choice.

• The initiative represents an innovation for the province or is an adaptation/scale-out of an innovation that has been tested in another context.

• The initiative can advance one or more of the following goals: o Increase access, availability and/or choice of food. o Increase community-led production of food.

o Support food system coordination. o Advance advocacy efforts to address root causes of food insecurity.

o Or please indicate your goal if it is not included in the 4 categories. • There is a clear start and end date for the funding request, which lasts no longer than one year from the proposed start date.

• Successful applicants agree to share learnings at the end of the project with Feed Nova Scotia and the broader community.

Website:

https://feednovascotia.ca/grant-opportunities/

Contact: or call 902-457-1900

Deadline: February 27th at 11:59 pm.

Heating Assistance Rebate Program:

Description: The Heating Assistance Rebate Program helps low-income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating. Rebates are $400 for each household

Eligible home heating costs include:

heating oil
electric heat
natural gas heat
wood
wood pellets
coal
other heating sources

Ineligible home heating costs include:

heating that’s included in rent
electricity usage that’s less than 5,000 kWh per year
heating for investment or income properties
heating for seasonal or recreation properties
heating for commercial or business properties

Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Contact: Phone: 902-424-5200
Toll-free: 1-800-670-4357

Website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-heating-assistance-rebate-heating-assistance-rebate-program

Recreation & Health

Visit Recreation Funding Opportunities for more information.

Visit Trailsfor funding opportunities for more information.

Seniors

Heating Assistance Rebate Program:

Description: The Heating Assistance Rebate Program helps low-income Nova Scotians with the cost of home heating. Rebates are $400 for each household

Eligible home heating costs include:

heating oil
electric heat
natural gas heat
wood
wood pellets
coal
other heating sources

Ineligible home heating costs include:

heating that’s included in rent
electricity usage that’s less than 5,000 kWh per year
heating for investment or income properties
heating for seasonal or recreation properties
heating for commercial or business properties

Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Contact: Phone: 902-424-5200
Toll-free: 1-800-670-4357

Website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-heating-assistance-rebate-heating-assistance-rebate-program

HEAT Fund

Department: The Salvation Army

Description:

How do I qualify?

You may apply to the HEAT Fund if:

You live in Nova Scotia
Your household has not received HEAT Fund assistance in the last calendar year
You are experiencing an emergency heating situation
You live within the following income thresholds:
- $29,000 for single-person households
- $47,703 for 2-4 person households
- $67,937 for households of 5 or more individuals

Documents and personal information needed for the application include:

Heating source receipt or bill
Proof of income (including child tax benefits)
Heating supplier name and account number

How to apply:
Online : HEAT Fund Application & Information

Deadline: Ongoing

Seniors Care Grant:

Department - Organization: Province of Nova Scotia

Description:

This provincial grant provides eligible Nova Scotia seniors with $750 to help cover the costs of home heating, household expenses, and healthcare services.

Eligibility :

To qualify for the grants, you must

be 65 years of age or older by March 31, 2026
have an annual household net income of $45,100 or less
live in a home or apartment that you own or rent
have your name on the property title, Land Titles Initiative Certificate of Claim, or residential lease agreement, or a Band administrative letter issued by a First Nation community.

Eligible services include those that help you stay in your home, and make it safer and more comfortable, including:

Cooking and Meals - Delivery or preparation of food or meals (excluding the cost of food)

Healthcare Services – such as eye exams, dental work, mental health supports, physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic services, foot care, dieticians, nutritionists, audiology, and speech and language pathologists

Home Cleaning – laundry, organizing, or help with downsizing or moving

Medication/Prescription Delivery - (excluding the cost of medications and prescriptions)

Home Maintenance – such as landscaping, lawn care, snow removal, stacking wood, and tree removal

Communication Services– such as phone, cell phone, and internet (excluding the device cost)

Home Repairs Services – labour and delivery costs

Transportation – such as taxis, ride shares, shuttles, and other methods of transportation -and public and community transit – such as the bus, Access-A-Bus, and ferry

Home Heating – such as furnace oil, natural gas, propane, firewood, wood pellets, electricity, and repairs and regular maintenance for home heating systems.

Funds can be used on home heating, household, and healthcare services between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

Only one person can apply for each household.

NOTE: You can also apply to the Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP) for additional assistance when it opens in October.

How to apply:

Applications can be submitted online or by mail.

The application is available online, or you can obtain a paper application at Access Nova Scotia Centres and MLA offices, or by calling 1-800-670-4357 (toll-free) to request one be sent to you.

Deadline: March 31, 2026

Contact: 902-424-5200 or 1-800-670-4357 (toll free)

email:

Website : Seniors Care Grant

Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program

Department - Organization: Province of Nova Scotia

Description:

The Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program helps homeowners create supportive housing for family members or affordable housing for tenants on their property. Homeowners can apply for a loan to build a secondary or backyard suite on the property of their primary residence. You can apply anytime.

Funding is available for up to 50% of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $40,000. The applicant needs to fund the remaining balance of the project.
The funding provides a forgivable loan. Terms of up to 5 years are available. Funding for more than 1 secondary or backyard suite may be available if allowed by the municipality

Contact:

Phone: 902-563-2120
Toll-free: 1-844-424-5110
Fax: 902-563-2370

Website:

https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-funding-build-secondary-or-backyard-suite-your-property-secondary-and-backyard-suite-incentive-program

Deadline: Continuous intake

Transportation

Green Municipal Fund

Department - Organization: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada /Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Municipal Fleet Electrification:Funding for the electrification of municipal and transit fleets to help municipalities achieve net-zero transportation emissions.

Deadline: Continuous

Contact: or book a meeting with an advisor.

Website: Green Municipal Fund

Green Freight

Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada

Description: The program will help fleets reduce their fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from on-road freight through fleet energy assessments, fleet retrofits, engine repowers, best-practice implementation and the purchase of low-carbon vehicles. There are two streams; municipal governments are listed as eligible applicants on both streams. Stream 1 of the program provides grant funding up to a maximum of $250,000 per Applicant. Stream 2 contributes up to 50% of total project costs, up to a maximum of $5 million per project.

Deadline: Stream 1 is a continuous intake

Contact:

Website: Green Freight Program

Additional Grants and Funding Opportunities

Categories include:

Community ACCESS-Ability Program

Business ACCESS-Ability Grant Program -

RBC Barrier Buster Grants Program

Enabling Accessibility Fund

Heritage Development Fund – Conservation Work Grants

Festival and Community Event Development

Legacy Fund – Building Communities through Arts and Heritage

Exhibition Circulation Fund – Museums Assistance Program

Na-mi-quai-ni-mak Community Support Fund

Musication, Musical showcases (exclusively dedicated to French-speaking communities outside Quebec)

Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program

Exhibition Circulation Fund - Museums Assistance Program

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

Local Festivals – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage

Community Anniversaries

Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

Legacy Fund

McLean Foundation Grant

Tourism Growth Program in Atlantic Canada

Feasibility Study: Green Buildings Pathway

Department – Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities – Green Municipal Fund (GMF)

Plan: Net-Zero Transformation

Study: Net-Zero Transformation

Pilot: Net-Zero Transformation

Capital Project: Net-Zero Transformation

Business Case: Organic Waste-to-Energy

Capital Project: Community Energy Systems

Study: Community Energy Systems

Capital Project: Green Buildings Pathway Retrofit

Capital Project: GHG Impact Retrofit

Urban Forestry Plans and Studies

Climate-Ready Infrastructure Service

Thriving Forests Program

Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund

Charged (Pollution Probe) - EV Charging Rebate

Incentives for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles

Climate Ready Infrastructure Service

Natural Asset Management Roadmap

2Billion Trees

Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities

Energy Rebates & Solutions

Environmental Damages Fund

Farm Credit Canada Community Fund

Green Energy Financing/ Community Efficiency Financing (PACE Programs)

Green Freight Program

Max Bell Foundation Grants

McLean Foundation Grant

Municipal Adoption Fund

Municipal Efficiency Fund

Free to Play Fund

Community Facilities Improvement Program -

R. Howard Webster Foundation

RBC Community Investment Fund

Connect2 Program

Description

Community Development Fund (CDF)

TD Ready Commitment

Atlantic Lottery – Community Initiatives Sponsorship

CanExport Community Investments

Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program

Innovation Rebate Program

Duties Relief Program

Drawback Program

Nova Scotia Mineral Resources Development Fund – Communities Grant

Ship Fund

Rail Fund

Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund

Civil Forfeiture Grant Program

Canada Community Security Program

Funding for Employment Opportunities:

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages

The Work-Sharing Program

Core Startup Program

Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program (IESP)

Black Entrepreneur Startup Program