Nova Scotia Funding Portal
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Agriculture and farming
    • Arts, culture and heritage
    • Education, science and research
    • Emergency services and public safety
    • Employment, training
    • Environment, water and climate change
    • Health and human services
    • Housing, retrofits and new construction
    • Parks and recreation
    • Planning and development
    • Solid waste and wastewater
    • Transit and active transportation
  • News & Updates
  • Resources
    • About Us
    • Tips and Guides
    • FAQ
  • Contact
Subscribe to Updates
Sign in
Subscribe to Updates

Building Inclusive Communities Fund

Provincial funding for projects that promote cultural diversity, inclusion, equity, and community participation.

  • Provider
    NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
  • Active

Building Inclusive Communities Fund

Provincial funding for projects that promote cultural diversity, inclusion, equity, and community participation.

  • Provider
    NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
  • Active
  • DETAILS
  • prev
  • next
  • prev
  • next
Categories
  • Arts, culture and heritage
  • Education, science and research
  • Health and human services
Description

The Building Inclusive Communities Fund (BICF) supports initiatives that celebrate cultural diversity and bring people together to share traditions and identities. It funds projects that promote diversity, inclusion, and social equity through greater public awareness and understanding. The fund also helps remove barriers and improve access so equity-deserving individuals and organizations can fully participate in community life across Nova Scotia.

Program Objectives:

  • Promote cultural diversity by supporting opportunities for people to share, explore, and celebrate diverse cultural identities and traditions.
  • Advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and social equity through initiatives that increase public awareness, understanding, and community engagement.
  • Improve access and remove systemic barriers to enable equity-deserving individuals and organizations to fully participate in community life across Nova Scotia.
  • Support inclusive, accessible, and discrimination-free programs, services, and community initiatives.
  • Strengthen communities and organizations by embedding equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) into decision-making and program delivery.
  • Foster partnerships with organizations committed to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility throughout Nova Scotia.

Program Requirements:

  • Project overview, budget, and supporting documents.
  • Description of your organization, project activities, goals, audience, partnerships, and expected impact.
  • Include a workplan, promotion strategy, evaluation plan, and acknowledgement of provincial support.
  • Provide a detailed budget with revenues, expenses, and required contributions based on funding tier.
  • Ensure applications are complete, include accurate contact information, and meet the application deadlines.
Eligibility Requirements

Eligible expenses:

  • Projects that improve awareness of and access to programs and services that advance equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Activities that support inclusive events and activities that bring people together to share, explore and celebrate diverse cultural identities and traditions.
  • Projects that strengthen the capacity of organizations to support equity-deserving groups.

Ineligible activities and expenses:

  • Research, studies, focus groups or public meetings.
  • Fundraising events or activities.
  • Operating expenses, e.g., salaries, heat, rent, etc.
  • Projects and/or activities where religion and religious celebration are the primary focus.
  • Language classes.
  • EDIA Training.
  • Recurring projects/events with budgets larger than $80,000.
  • Events or projects that have received funding for 2 consecutive years.
  • Major equipment purchases.
  • Projects whose primary purpose is employment.
Resources
  • Funder's website
    • Diversity and Community Capacity Fund
  • Contact
      • Email: CommunitiesNS@novascotia.ca
      • Phone: 902-424-5793
Deadline
  • October 15, 2026
Important Dates
  • Application deadline
    October 15, 2026
Eligible Applicants
  • Municipalities
  • First Nations
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Registered Charities
  • Community Groups
Funding Details
  • Estimated amount per fund
    Tier 1: Up to $5,000; Tier 2: $5,001 to $10,000
  • Funding Notes
    • Tier 1 (requests up to $5,000):
      • • No cash contribution required
      • • Applicants must provide at least 15% in-kind support.
    • Tier 2 (requests $5,001 to $10,000):
      • • Applicants must contribute at least 25% of project costs.
      • • A minimum 10% cash contribution is required
      • • Collaborations are encouraged
How to Apply
  • Fund Guidelines
    • Guidelines
  • Online Application
    • Consult Program Officer before applying
    • Prepare your application package
    • Submit by email (preferred), delivered by hand, mail or courier

You May Also Be Interested In

Tourism Digital Assistance Program – Communities

  • Tourism Nova Scotia
  • Provincial program matching NS municipalities and tourism organizations with digital consultants for up to $15,000 in services to promote communities online.
  • Closed
  • Quick view

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

  • Department of Canadian Heritage
  • Funding to improve arts and heritage cultural spaces across Canada through renovations, specialized equipment purchases, and planning and feasibility studies.
  • Active
  • Quick view

RBC Barrier Buster Grants Program

  • Rick Hansen Foundation (with RBC)
  • Grants up to $40,000 for permanent accessibility infrastructure improvements. For eligible municipalities (qualified donees), charities, and non-profits.
  • Closed
  • Quick view
Facebook X-twitter Linkedin Youtube
Menu
  • About Us
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe to Updates

Disclaimer

We make every effort to ensure the program details in this guide are accurate. In the event of a discrepancy between this guide and the funder’s official website, the information on the program website will take precedence.

© 2026 Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities

Cart