If you are experiencing a crisis please call 911, Kids Helpline, Nova Scotia’s Mental Health Mobile Crisis or visit your local ER.
Community Grant Funding
Policies and applications for Healing Pathways Community Funding Grants can be accessed below.
Applicants may request up to $50,000.
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN.
Community Grant for Community-based Initiatives
Criteria
- To be eligible for community funding, applicants must:
- Be a registered organization or charity in Nova Scotia.
- Operate in communities across Nova Scotia.
- Registered nonprofits may also partner with another organization.
Exclusions
- Ineligible project expenses:
- Funding to cover budget deficits;
- Loan/Capital loan financing;
- Costs covered by other funding, including other government funding;
- Entertainment fees, alcohol, sponsorships, contests, gifts and souvenirs;
- Interest expenses incurred on operating loans;
- Legal challenges, costs, and settlements;
- Mortgage financing unless specifically related to the project;
- Administrative costs (beyond the direct costs associated with the project);
- Professional organization fees paid on behalf of staff for membership in professional organizations; and,
- Organizations that received Healing Pathways funding in Round 1 are not eligible to apply for the same project again in subsequent rounds.
Initiatives that qualify for funding
- People experience grief and loss in many different ways. Not all supportive approaches will work for everyone. Applicants are encouraged to develop projects or initiatives that have a clear focus on supporting those who are experiencing grief, loss and bereavement, and aim to restore emotional health and wellness. Examples of community-level projects or initiatives might include, but are not limited to:
- Training in supportive grief and loss
- Community events
- Development of digital assets and online information resources
- After-school programs
- Family-centred activities
- Art therapy and equipment
- Creation of physical spaces (indoor/outdoor)
- Individual and group programs for grief and bereavement support, mindfulness, emotional well-being
- Grief navigation services
- Lecture series with experts on grief, loss, bereavement or positive mental outlook
- Library resources and/or acquisition of grief and bereavement tools
- Music therapy equipment and tools
- Outdoor activities aimed to restore emotional health
- Play therapy and equipment
- Pet therapy services
- Peer outreach programs
- Supportive exercise programs
Projects and initiatives may focus on supporting any or all of
- Those directly or indirectly affected by the Mass Casualty event of April 2020, such as:
- Young children
- School-age children
- Youth
- Adults
- Parents and families
- Seniors
- First responders
- People with disabilities
- Diverse cultural communities
- Newcomers
- Others
Grant selection process
Committee review
- The Community-funding Committee evaluates and scores all applications that have moved through the process. The committee will score applications based on:
- Response to identified community needs
- Enduring impact
- Public benefit
- Uniqueness and innovation
Final review
Notification
- Successful Round 2 applicants will be notified by email. Funds will be distributed within 30 days of notification. All unspent funds over $50 must be returned by NSHPCA when submitting a final report in March 2026.
How can you help?
Your generous support will help us continue our mission of making a positive impact in our communities. Please make a donation and join us in creating a brighter future for those in need.
Supported community-based programs
Links to successful programs and activities will be added here.
Phase One grant recipients may now upload their final reports by accessing the Healing Pathways Phase One Funding Grant Portal.