News & Updates

Connect2 Program: Provincial grants for community active transportation projects that improve connectivity within and between communities and support walking, biking, wheeling and shared mobility. Funding covers up to 75% of eligible costs, with grants up to $100,000 depending on project category.

• Deadline (Expression of Interest): January 9, 2026.

Applications are now open for:

• Community ACCESS-Ability Program: The program offers provincial grants covering up to two-thirds of eligible accessibility upgrades (to a maximum of $50,000) for community facilities, including improvements to the built environment, transportation, communications and assistive devices. Eligible applicants include municipalities, non-profits and registered charities.
  • Deadline: February 14, 2026, 11:59 PM.
• Community Facilities Improvement Program: The program provides support for repairs and improvements to existing community facilities, including building exteriors, interior features and energy-efficiency upgrades. Non-profits and registered charities are eligible.
  • Deadline: February 14, 2026, 11:59 PM.

The Age-friendly Communities Grant program provides provincial funding for projects and planning that help older Nova Scotians stay active, healthy, and engaged in their communities. Project grants typically provide up to $10,000 (up to $20,000 for larger or provincial initiatives), while planning grants offer up to $25,000 to support age-friendly assessments and plans in partnership with local government.

• Deadline: Currently closed. Future intakes are expected but have not yet been announced.

• Civil Forfeiture Grant Program: Provincial one-time funding supporting victims of crime and crime prevention initiatives across Nova Scotia, funded from forfeited property seized by law enforcement.
  • Deadline: Applications accepted on rolling basis.
• Crime Prevention Community Grant: Provincial funding up to $12,000 annually for youth-directed crime prevention programs supporting recreational, educational, and after-school programming.
  • Deadline: 2025-26 intake is closed (late applications typically considered if funding is available). Future intakes are expected but not yet announced.

Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is hosting a webinar on turning climate adaptation plans into tangible infrastructure projects. The session will walk through project prioritization, implementation tools and real examples from municipal staff across Canada who’ve successfully moved from planning to action.

The webinar includes access to practical resources like GMF’s Adaptation Actions to Implement Climate Resilience, the Climate Insight platform and ICLEI’s Getting Ready to Finance Toolkit.

• Date: December 11, 2025
• Time: 03:00 pm Atlantic
• Location: Online
• Free registration: Register here

The Student Work Placement Program is a federal wage subsidy that helps Canadian employers hire domestic post-secondary students for paid work-integrated learning placements. Employers can receive 50–70% of student wages (up to $5,000–$7,000 per placement) through SWPP delivery partners.

• Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; funding is limited and allocated by academic term on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Free to Play: Rural Communities Foundation funding ($5,000 to $75,000) supporting outdoor play projects for children in rural Nova Scotia. Deadline: February 24, 2026
  • Information Session: Free To Play | Outdoor Play 101
  • Date & Time: December 10, 2025 at 2:00 pm Atlantic
  • Presenter: Louise de Lannoy, Outdoor Play Canada
  • Free registration: Register here
• Science Horizons Youth Internship Program: Federal wage subsidy covering up to 80% of salary costs (maximum $25,000) for employers hiring post-secondary graduates (ages 15-30) in environmental STEM positions. Deadline: Rolling intake
• McConnell Foundation Grants: National philanthropic funding for Canadian charities, non-profits and municipalities advancing communities, reconciliation and climate solutions. Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round

Join GMF for a hands-on workshop designed to help you navigate the Urban Forestry Plans and Studies funding application. The session will walk through eligibility, key sections of the form, required documents and common pitfalls so your community can submit a stronger, more complete application for urban forestry planning work.

• Date: December 9, 2025
• Time: 1:00–3:00 PM EST
• Location: Online
• Free registration: Register here

New Funding Opportunities Added to the Portal:

• TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant: National charitable foundation supporting community-based environmental initiatives. Provides funding for schoolyard greening, park revitalization, community gardens, outdoor classrooms, tree planting, nature-based education, and other hands-on environmental projects.
  • Status: Open (rolling intake)
• RBC Community Investment Fund: Major corporate/philanthropic funding program supporting climate action, skills development, financial wellbeing, accessibility improvements, and inclusive community prosperity. Offers single- and multi-year investments ranging from small grants to large contributions up to $500,000 per year.
  • Status: Open (rolling intake)
• For the Good of Our Community Fund (NSLC): Corporate philanthropic program supporting food security, housing stability, mental health, physical accessibility, and environmental stewardship across Nova Scotia. Offers grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 for registered charities and non-profits.
  • Deadline: December 22, 2025

New Funding Opportunities Added to the Portal:

• Community Sport Fund: Provincial funding up to $5,000 supporting quality, sustainable community sport programs through equipment purchases, programming enhancements and leadership development.
  • Deadline: Year-round acceptance (six bi-monthly intakes)
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) Funding: Provincial funding supporting traditionally underrepresented communities’ participation in community-based sport programming across Nova Scotia. Partnership between sport organization and community service organization is mandatory.
  • Deadline: Contact Regional Sport Consultant for current intake periods
• Low Carbon Communities: Provincial funding up to $75,000 for preparatory work supporting cost-effective clean energy and low carbon solutions in buildings, electricity and transportation sectors. Supports community energy plans, feasibility studies, energy assessments and clean energy education.
  • Deadline: Closed. Next call for proposals TBD

GMF and WWF-Canada are hosting a webinar on integrating biodiversity-focused practices into Urban Forestry Plans and Projects. Learn from experts, municipal leaders and community partners about planting diverse native species, restoration-focused tree planting and connecting urban forestry to broader ecosystem health goals.

• Date: November 19, 2025
• Time: 2:00–3:00 PM EST
• Location: Online
• Free registration: Register here

Speakers:

• Kate Landry, Senior Manager, Community Action, WWF-Canada
• Keanen Jewett, Arboriculture Foreman, City of Fredericton
• Sharon MacGougan, President, Garden City Conservation Society

NSFM is hosting information sessions across Nova Scotia for the Coastal Planning Support Program. These sessions will provide municipalities with details about the program, available funding, and how to apply.

Session dates and locations:

• Mon, Nov 24 | 2:30–4:30 PM – Yarmouth, Mariners on Main, Yellow Room
• Tue, Nov 25 | 1:00–3:00 PM – Truro, Best Western, Salon A
• Wed, Nov 26 | 9:00–11:00 AM – Port Hawkesbury, Civic Centre, Arts, and Crafts Room
• Thu, Nov 27 | 9:30–11:30 AM – Kentville, Recreation Centre, Lower Rec Meeting Space
• Thu, Nov 27 | 2:30–4:30 PM – Bridgewater, Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre, Multi-Purpose Room

The Community Buildings Retrofit Initiative is open. The initiative provides grant funding for feasibility studies to help municipalities plan retrofit projects that reduce GHG emissions in community buildings by at least 50% within 10 years.

1. • Application deadline: December 19, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET

Stream 1: Community-led Freshwater Action across Canada of the EcoAction Community Program is now open. The program provides funding for community-led freshwater projects and innovative solutions to improve freshwater quality and ecosystem health.

• • Application deadline: December 4, 2025 (12:00 PT / 15:00 ET).
  • Stream 2: Currently closed.

Coastal Planning Support Program is inviting coastal municipalities to apply for consulting services to develop coastal protection plans and bylaws that address climate change. Each municipality is eligible for up to $20,000 in consulting services, with collaboration bonuses of up to 30% for joint applications.

• Deadline: February 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM
• Completion of consulting services: December 31, 2026
• Information sessions: NSFM will be hosting sessions across the province to introduce the program. Dates and times to be announced.

New Funding Opportunities Added to the Portal:

• Community Recreation Capital Grant: Provincial funding up to $8,000 for small-scale indoor and outdoor capital recreation projects under $30,000. Supports permanent improvements to community recreation facilities including renovations, equipment and structural investments.
  • Deadline: December 1, 2025
• Recreation Facility Development Grant: Provincial funding up to $150,000 for recreation facility projects over $30,000. Supports development, upgrades and repairs of recreation centres, pools, rinks, athletic fields, parks, playgrounds and other facilities promoting active living.
  • Deadline: Closed. Next call for proposals TBD.

Update to Existing Program:

• Applications are now open for the Urban Forestry Plans and Studies funding stream under the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund. The program provides support for urban forest planning, management, and stewardship, and funds studies that strengthen the sustainability and resilience of community forests and trees.
  • Deadline: April 15, 2026