Wellness Fund
Department: Nova Scotia Health - Community Health Boards
Description:
Provincial grants from $500–$3,500 for community wellness projects addressing social determinants of health through Nova Scotia's Community Health Boards.
The Wellness Funds program provides grants for community projects that take “upstream” action on health. It focuses on preventing poor outcomes rather than responding after they develop. The program supports new, innovative initiatives that align with local Community Health Board (CHB) priorities and involve active, ongoing participation from community members.
The program addresses social determinants of health, including income and social status, social support networks, education, employment, physical environments, healthy child development, and access to services. Projects are encouraged to incorporate equity considerations and reduce barriers to participation for underserved populations.
Eligible Activities:
Projects must be limited-term organized activities with defined goals and deliverables, driven by community needs. Examples of previously funded projects include intergenerational recreation programs, food literacy workshops, social connection initiatives, and community wellness activities.
Ineligible Activities:
- Health services (diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, one-on-one care)
- Counseling or therapeutic programs (licensed/registered therapist services)
- Infrastructure projects (buildings, renovations, playgrounds, trails, splashpads)
- Equipment purchases over $1,300 (including tax)
- Operating costs for existing programs
- Research, needs assessments, or evaluation projects
- Fundraising campaigns or charitable giving
- One-time events without clear health plan alignment
- Projects involving alcohol or cannabis
Key Program Requirements:
- Projects must be new to a specific community within the CHB area (no repeat funding for same project in same community)
- Project must align with local CHB Community Health Plan priorities
- Organizations with outstanding final reports from previous Wellness Fund projects are ineligible
- Equipment purchases up to $1,300 are eligible only if essential to the project's implementation
- Applicants must be able to receive, manage, and track funding
- Wages are only eligible for contracted positions or enhanced contract hours (not existing employee salaries)
Website: https://www.communityhealthboards.ns.ca/wellness-funds
Deadline: April 15, 2026
Community Recreation Development Grant
Department - Organization: NS Dept of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
Description: The grant is designed to support activities and initiatives that respond to the recreation and physical activity goals and priorities of communities and the Shared Strategy for Recreation in Nova Scotia: Active Living, Inclusion and Access, Connecting People and Nature, Supportive Environments, and Capacity Development.
Example(s): Leadership Education and Capacity Development. Marketing and Awareness Campaigns. Organizational and Partnership Development. Program or Policy Development and Implementation. Resource Development, Planning and Evaluation.
Deadline: Annual intake. April 1st- December 1st, or until 100% committed. Apply early in the fiscal year to avoid disappointment. Applicants in the HRM region and in the Highland Region (Guysborough, Antigonish and Pictou Counties) have the following intake deadlines: April 30th, June 30th and September 30th.
Website: https://cch.novascotia.ca/community-recreation-capital-grant
Trail Engineering Assistance Grant Program
Department - Organization: NS Dept of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
Description: The program is designed to provide trail builders and managers with a source of funding to help them hire engineering expertise when it is required. The program provides funding to municipalities for hiring engineers when building, maintaining, and supporting multi-use trails and non-motorized single-use to help ensure Nova Scotia’s trails are both safe for trail users and environmentally sound. Applicants are encouraged to contribute to the overall cost of the initiative. The contribution level required depends on the need and the ability of the applicant to contribute.
Example(s): Inspection and assessment of existing trail structures. Components of planning requiring an engineer (i.e. site plan for a bridge). Design of trail components which must be engineered to a specific standard. Rehabilitation plans.
Deadline: Annual intake. April 1st - December 1st or until the grant program is 100% committed.
Website: https://cch.novascotia.ca/trail-funding-programs
Jays Care Programs – Local Governments
Department - Organization: Jays Care Foundation
Description: This is an inclusion-focused baseball/softball for development program. This is offered to Canadian Local Governments offering programs for children and youth facing barriers. The aim is to use baseball or softball as a tool to enhance connection, belonging, and access to sport opportunities to kids most often sitting on the sidelines. Your community can apply to receive free training and equipment.
Deadline: Open
Website: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/community/jays-care/community-partner/local-governments
Kidsport
Applicants are encouraged to read the eligibility information noted here and ensure they meet the criteria before beginning an application. If eligible, please review and complete an application and all requested supplementary information by the 15th of each month.
KidSport is a national children’s program that helps kids overcome the financial barriers preventing or limiting their participation in organized sports. KidSport Nova Scotia provides funding of up to $500/year/child for sport registration and/or equipment. In operation since 1994, KidSport Nova Scotia has assisted over 31,000 children totalling over $7.7 Million.
For further information on how to apply please visit sport nova scotia.
Parasport Loan Program
The Sport Nova Scotia Parasport Loan Program is designed to provide Community Sport Organizations, Non-Profit Groups, and Recreation Departments involved with Parasport programs access to equipment and resources to offer introductory adaptive sport opportunities in their community.
Successful applicants may borrow a full set of equipment, program guides for how to facilitate weekly introductory programming in the selected sport, and leadership training in 1 of 6 available parasports for a 6-week period.
To apply please email , with 'Program Loan' in the subject line, to receive more information and the application form.
Max Bell Foundation Grants
Department - Organization: Max Bell Foundation
Description: 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
Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces Signage Grant Fund
Department - Organization: Smoke-Free Nova Scotia
Description: The fund is intended to support communities which have already established smoke-free outdoor spaces by assisting with the cost of signage, as well as awareness and enforcement. This is a limited, one-time funding opportunity. Grants as high as $2,000 may be awarded.
Deadline: Continuous intake