Frequently Asked Questions

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Funding

Eligible applicants for funding must be registered nonprofit organizations or charities operating in Nova Scotia. We welcome partnerships between nonprofit organizations, charities, informal groups, individuals, schools, and workplaces. (See our 2024 Community Funding Guideline for a description of eligible applicants.)

Applicants may start applying on January 2, 2025 through the “Apply Now” button on our site. We are also available to discuss ideas and suggestions. Please get in touch with us through funding@nshpca.ca.

Projects and initiatives must have a clear focus on supporting those experiencing grief, loss, and bereavement and aim to restore emotional wellness. Examples of community-level projects include music/art/pet therapy, volunteer training, lectures with experts on grief, loss and bereavement, healing circles, creation of therapeutic spaces, or peer support. (See our Community Funding Guidelines for more information.)

January 2, 2025.

Yes, as a successful applicant we do inform organizations that their name, project title and the amount of support received under NSHPCA Distribution of Grants to Spoke Organizations Policy will be shared with the public.

Applicants can request up to $50,000. (See our Community Funding Guidelines for details).

Phase One grant recipients (June 2024) should upload their final reports by accessing the following link: Healing Pathways Community Funding Grant Reports.

Accountability

All community funding decisions will be made by the Community Funding Committee, comprised of NSHPCA Board members from each of the health zones. A list of Board members can be found on the NSHPCA.ca website.

The Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association is a registered nonprofit provincial organization governed by a Board of Directors who oversee all aspects of the organization including financial decisions.

For a complete list of Board members, please visit our website NSHPCA.ca.

General

The Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) noted the need for additional grief, bereavement and emotional wellness supports for communities most affected by the April 2020 mass casualty event. NSHPCA is responsible for distributing the funding to support groups / organizations to develop/implement community-based initiatives that align with the objectives of the NS Community Grief and Emotional Wellness Model, in particular, addresses the community needs in Colchester, East Hants and Colchester counties.

NSHPCA is a provincially recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of hospice and palliative care as well as implementing and supporting grief, bereavement and emotional wellness resources across the province. Established in the 1990s by clinicians, NSHPCA works tirelessly to promote education, advocacy, and resources in the field of hospice and palliative care.  We work with volunteers, professionals and other like-minded organizations such as hospice organizations from around the province. We have an extensive network to help support community-specific and community-driven programs for people in grief.

NSHPCA is responsible for distributing $800,000 in funding to support eligible groups or organizations to develop and/or implement community-based initiatives that align with the objectives of the NS Community Grief Response Strategy, and address community needs. 

In Phase One, Healing Pathways Community funding allocated $300,000 to 14 nonprofit organizations in Colchester, East Hants and Cumberland Counties. That phase of funding closed in September 2024.

Phase Two funding will allocate $500,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations across Nova Scotia. An announcement on the application process is coming soon.

In addition to other organizational responsibilities, NSHPCA acts as a coordinating body, collaborating with local, community-based groups to build support for individuals in grief.

NSHPCA is a proud partner of Nova Scotia Health and is contracted by the provincial government to serve as the Community Organization Hub. This role aligns with the Nova Scotia Community Grief and Emotional Wellness Hub Model, allowing us to collaborate with local organizations and communities to enhance access to grief and emotional wellness services across the province. 

This completely depends on what individuals in the community want to see. NSHPCA is seeking nonprofit organizations and their partners to come forward with community-driven ideas and suggestions.

Phase One funding is focused on projects in Colchester, East-Hants, and Cumberland communities. In Phase Two, we will expand our work across the province.

Our role is to support the initiatives you present. Successful applications from Phase Two are required to submit an evaluation of their project (date to be determined). Phase Two reports will be due in March 2026. Official application and report dates will be updated by NSHPCA, so please check back to confirm.

NSHPCA serves all Nova Scotians. NSHPCA’s board is composed of member organizations, including community-based hospice and palliative care associations, Indigenous, Acadian and Francophone and African-Nova Scotian health leadership. We have other long-standing relationships related to this work, many of which are directly serving the selected communities, including:

  • Local hospice and palliative care associations
  • Retired Teachers Association of Nova Scotia
  • The NS Palliative Care Network
  • School principals and teachers
  • Faith-based organizations
  • Réseau Santé
  • Clinical healthcare professionals and others from the NS Health system (e.g. Mental Health, Grief and Palliative Care, Addictions, etc.)
  • Other non-profit organizations and charities that are active in the area.

We will rely on community-based groups to tell us what is needed and outline initiatives in their funding applications. We will listen to and talk with local groups to find practical support and solutions. We will also rely on other available pathways to help identify grief and emotional wellness supports in communities.

Learn more about NSHPCA on our website, nshpca.ca.

Downloadable Information Sheet for MLAs and MPs.