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Strategic Development Initiative

Provincial grants supporting heritage organizations to develop projects that build on community assets through partnerships and sector development.

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

Strategic Development Initiative

Provincial grants supporting heritage organizations to develop projects that build on community assets through partnerships and sector development.

  • Provider
    NS Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
  • Closed
  • DETAILS
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Categories
  • Arts, culture and heritage
  • Planning and development
Description

The Strategic Development Initiative (SDI) program supports archives, community museums, municipal governments, not-for-profit groups and other bodies exploring common heritage objectives. The program assists sector organizations in their heritage stewardship role by supporting revitalization and strengthening the sector through community partnerships.

The program encourages "partners-in-heritage" to develop projects that build on a community's assets and strengths to further sector development. To maintain its heritage stewardship role in the province, the sector must continually revitalize and strengthen itself in creative and innovative ways.

Program Goals:

  • Develop and expand retail operations of existing heritage organizations to encourage sale of arts and crafts "made in Nova Scotia" and increase earned income
  • Develop new revenue sources to increase financial sustainability
  • Improve leadership and programming skills of existing heritage-related boards and workers through training in targeted areas (fundraising, tourist market readiness, strategic planning/business plans, program evaluation, interpretation planning, site development and renewal planning, marketing studies)
  • Develop new audiences that expand the heritage sector's service base in targeted areas (new exhibits based on formal interpretive plan, improved online resources, etc.)
  • Increase heritage/community cooperation

Project Requirements:

  • Projects must start no earlier than date of application submission
  • Projects must be completed by March 31, 2026
  • Proposals should emphasize how project will contribute towards greater sustainability in the future
  • Funding must support projects, not operating costs
  • Cannot duplicate other existing, reduced or eliminated programs
  • Cannot be used for purposes other than those outlined in project
  • No substantial changes can be made without written consent of Program Officer
  • Applicants should contact program before preparing and submitting application to ensure eligibility

Priority Projects:

Applications receive priority consideration if they:

  • Demonstrate multi-partner approach
  • Demonstrate regional or provincial impact
  • Employ an innovative approach
Resources
  • Funder's website
    • Strategic Development Initiative
  • Contact
    • Email: CHDapplication@novascotia.ca
    • Courier/In-person: 3rd Floor, 1741 Brunswick St, Halifax, NS B3J 3X8

     

Deadline
  • December 31, 2025
Important Dates
  • Application deadline
    Application period: April 1 – December 31
Eligible Applicants
  • Municipalities
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Municipal-owned Organizations
  • Community Groups
Funding Details
  • Estimated amount per fund
    Up to $10,000 per project
  • Funding Notes
    • Up to 75% of eligible project costs
    • Applicants MUST contribute minimum of 10% of project cost
How to Apply
  • Fund Guidelines
    • Available here
  • Online Application
    • Contact Program Officer to discuss project
    • Complete application form and other required documents
    • Submit via email (preferred), hand delivery, courier, or regular mail

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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.

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