Funding for retrofits and new builds of community and municipal buildings. Please also see the Climate Change & Sustainability page as it may apply to portions of your project.
Local Leadership for Climate Adaption (under GMF)
Department - Organization: Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Description: GMF’s Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation (LLCA) initiative provides funding and skills development support to local governments to adapt and build long-term resiliency to the impacts of climate change. By 2031, this $530M initiative will fund more than 1,400 municipal activities.
- Climate-Ready Plans and Processes – Integration of equitable and inclusive climate resilience into municipal plans, processes and management systems, such as asset management systems planning. Up to a maximum of $140,000.
- Adaption in Action – Increased implementation of equitable climate adaptation action taken by Canadian municipalities.
- Financing Adaptation – Increase in new financing models utilized/leveraged by Canadian municipalities to finance climate adaptation capital projects.
- Capacity Development Partner Grants – funds partners to design and deliver training that will help local governments advance their climate adaptation knowledge and technical skills.
Deadline:
Climate-Ready Plans and Processes Funding: November 29th, 2024.
Adaption in Action: Available February 2025.
Financing Adaptation: Available Spring 2025.
Capacity Development Partner Grants: Closed August 7th.
Adaption in Action: Available February 2025.
Financing Adaptation: Available Spring 2025.
Capacity Development Partner Grants: Closed August 7th.
Contact: gmfinfo@fcm.ca or book a meeting with an advisor.
Website: Local Leadership Climate Adaption
Community Economic Development Fund
Department - Organization: NS Dept of Economic Development
Description: Helps communities become more competitive by funding projects that have a broad impact on a sector or region. The fund considers projects that promote cooperation and partnerships. Municipalities or RENs can apply. Capital projects are eligible, such as waterfront development or placemaking projects. Water and wastewater projects are not eligible.
Example(s): Lighthouse Arts Center, Halifax Convention Center.
Deadline: August 31st. The fund is open for applications 3 times per year.
Contact: cedfund@novascotia.ca
Website: Community Economic Development Fund
Community Recreation Capital Grant
Department - Organization: NS Dept of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
Description: This program is suitable for projects with a total value up to $30,000. This capital grant is cost-shared with the applicant which means the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage could contribute up to one-third of the total project cost to a maximum of $8,000 and the applicant would contribute two-thirds including financial matching and donated labor or materials. REMINDER: The capital application requires demonstration of competitive and accurate price estimates, commonly through multiple quotes. You are encouraged to apply early in the fiscal year. A complete application, with all supporting documents, including confirmed funders (two-third contribution) at the time of submitting, is encouraged.
Deadline: April 1st - December 1st or until the grant program is 100% committed.
Website: Community Recreation Capital Grant
Planning Assistance Program
Department - Organization: NS Dept of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
Description: The program assists community organizations and municipalities in obtaining professional assistance in planning, designing and researching proposed and existing sport and recreation facilities. Funding is available for up to 50 percent of the total cost of the project to a maximum of $10,000.
Example(s): General facility planning including needs assessments, feasibility studies, master plans and facility operation plans. Schematic Design for new or renovated facilities and landscaping. Schematic design illustrates the scale and character of a project showing how the parts of the project relate to each other. This work includes preliminary cost estimates. The preparation of detailed design or construction documents is eligible under the main capital program and therefore not eligible. Building Audits forecast the replacement of building components by professional consultants and result in the development of a Life Cycle Plan for a facility. Research involves projects which have province-wide application e.g., exploring/testing alternative energy sources, maintenance strategies or usage.
Deadline: April 1st - December 1st or until the program is 100% committed.
Website: Planning Assistance Program
Green Municipal Fund
Department - Organization: Infrastructure Canada/Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Description: GMF is more than just a funding source—they are a full-service partner in your climate action progress. Grants and loans for all stages. Stackable with other funding sources. Dedicated staff to help you apply. Free resources to help build business cases and improve project outcomes. Grants from $100-500k for up to 50% of eligible costs, combined grant and loan to a maximum of $10M for up to 80% of eligible costs.
- Sustainable Municipal Buildings: Funding for high-efficiency new construction of municipal and community buildings, and retrofits of municipal buildings.
- Community Energy Systems: Support for the adoption of renewable energy solutions that meet community needs and are aligned with a net-zero future.
Deadline: Continuous
Contact: gmfinfo@fcm.ca or book a meeting with an advisor.
Website: Green Municipal Fund
Energy Rebates & Solutions
Department - Organization: Efficiency Nova Scotia
Description: These programs include rebates, for a variety of measures to make municipal operations more efficient. Non-electric retrofits, which allow for the installation of heat pumps in municipal buildings. There is also support for engineered studies and models. You can use their online form to explain what you’re looking to achieve.
Deadline: Continuous intake
Website: Energy Rebates & Solutions
Legacy Fund
Department - Organization: Department of Canadian Heritage
Description: The program provides funding for community-initiated capital projects. Recipients may receive up to 50% of eligible project expenses up to a maximum of $500,000. Funding supports community-initiated capital projects that:
- commemorate a significant local historical event or pay tribute to a significant local historical personality;
- mark a 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years (e.g., 125th, 150th);
- involve the restoration, renovation, or transformation of existing buildings or exterior spaces with local community significance that are intended for community use;
- encourage arts and heritage activities in the local community that are intended for and accessible to the general public.
Deadline: Continuous intake. Projects must be submitted before the anniversary date of the event or personality to be commemorated.
Email: dcap-bcah@pch.gc.ca
Website: Legacy Fund
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
Department - Organization: Federal Department of Canadian Heritage
Description: The objectives of the fund are to contribute to: improved physical conditions for professional arts and heritage-related collaboration, creation, presentation, preservation, and exhibition; and to increase and improve access for Canadians to arts and culture. The CCSF achieves these objectives by supporting the construction and/or renovation of arts and/or heritage facilities, including creative hubs; and the acquisition of specialized equipment and the development of feasibility studies for the construction or renovation of arts and/or heritage facilities, including creative hubs.
Deadline: Continuous intake
Email: atlantique-atlantic@pch.gc.ca
Innovative Communities Fund
Department - Organization: Atlantic Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Description: The fund is for economic development projects and initiatives that lead to long-term employment and a stronger local economy. The fund enables communities to: develop thriving industry sectors, strengthen infrastructure in rural areas, invest in projects to help communities overcome economic issues and take advantage of new opportunities.
Example(s): Projects with links to tourism, for example, waterfront development capital projects. Events that bring in a national or international audience. Expansion of municipal services can be eligible if it is linked to economic development in the private sector.
Deadline: Continuous intake
Contact: ACOA Regional Manager
Website: Innovative Communities Fund
Currently Closed, Next Intake TBD:
Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund
Department - Organization: The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities
Description:. The program provides competitive opportunities to encourage communities in their climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Adaption includes built environment and climate-ready infrastructure, ecosystems and nature-based solutions, community coordination and planning. Mitigation includes buildings, transportation, energy generation and storage, waste management and circular economy, carbon storage and sequestration.
Deadline: Closed November 28, 2023
Contact: info@sccfns.ca
Website: https://nschallengefund.ca/
Community ACCESS-Ability Program
Department - Organization: NS Dept of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
Description: This program offers cost-shared grants to community groups for accessibility-related capital improvements. The grants may cover up to two-thirds of the direct and indirect costs of renovations, installations, and/or equipment. The sponsoring organization must raise at least one-third of the funding from other sources. Organizations can receive funding for one project per year under the program.
Example(s): Ramps, power door operators, accessible doors, and levered handles. Barrier-free washrooms. Elevators lifts, and other mobility assistive devices. Audio signals and loops and lighting/colour contrasting for the visually impaired. Accessible portion of community playgrounds.
Deadline: February 14th (annually).
Contact: accessabilitygrants@novascotia.ca
Website: Community ACCESS-Ability Program
Recreation Facility Development Grant/ Rink Revitalization Program
Department - Organization: NS Dept of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
Description: This program assists community groups and municipalities in developing or upgrading facilities to increase public participation in sport and physical recreation. Projects approved for funding are eligible to receive up to one-third of the total capital cost of the project to a maximum of $150,000. The rink revitalization program is under this program. The program can assist municipalities that operate rinks to invest in the revitalization or upgrading of capital infrastructure to support the sustainability of the facility. Rinks include curling clubs and arenas as well as outdoor rinks of a permanent nature. The rink must be open to all members of the public at reasonable times and at a reasonable rate.
Example(s): Recreation centres and halls, pools, arenas, athletic fields, parks playgrounds and trails. Enhanced schools for community use. Purchase of large permanent furnishings and equipment integral to the functioning/operation of a facility. (i.e. soccer goals, ice re-surfacer, ice plant components). Construction of community centres, pools, rinks, athletic fields, parks, playgrounds, and enhancements to schools for community use and other recreation facilities that promote active living. Capital conservation work involving repair and/or replacement needs of any major components directly related to a facility’s structural or operational integrity.
Deadline: February 14th (Annually).
Community Facility Improvement Program
Department - Organization: NS Dept of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
Description: Not for municipally owned community centers, please share widely within your municipality. Aids in repairs and upgrades to community facilities open for public use, such as community halls.
Deadline: February 14th (Annually).
Low Carbon Communities
Department - Organization: NS Dept of Natural Resources and Renewables
Description: Projects should support low carbon solutions in one of the four following categories. The program covers 75% of total project eligible costs.
- clean buildings (up to $75k)
- clean electricity (up to $75k)
- clean transportation (up to $75k)
- clean energy education (up to $50k)
Example(s): Net-Zero Design for New Affordable Housing in Musquodoboit. Electric fleet and charging infrastructure planning in Kings County.
Deadline: Closed to July 5th, 2024.
Contact: lowcarboncommunities@novascotia.ca
Website: Low Carbon Communities
Enabling Accessibility Fund
Department - Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Description: This funding opportunity aims to make communities and workplaces across Canada more accessible for persons with disabilities. It will fund new construction, renovation and/or retrofit activities that will contribute to reducing waitlists for persons with disabilities to access programs, services and/or support.
Deadline: Closed July 23rd for Small Projects.
Contact: nc-hip-pip-eaf_odi-gd@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Website: Enabling Accessibility Fund
Green Construction through Wood
Department - Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Description: The program encourages the use of innovative wood-based building technologies in construction projects. GCWood invests in wood construction projects that generate many benefits, including:
- reduced GHG emissions from renewable and sustainable resources that help decarbonize the built environment
- accelerated adoption of innovative building technologies and systems
- updated building codes that allow for taller and larger wood buildings
- affordable housing and community infrastructure
The foresty sector in your community could benefit from additional funding that municipalities are ineligible for, such as Nova Scotia Foresty Innovation Transition Trust or federal funding programs.
Deadline: March 31st, 2025
Contact: gcwood-cvbois@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Website: Green Construction through Wood
Information Session: You can find the webinar recording here.
Clean Fuels Fund (Provincial)
Department - Organization: NS Department of Natural Resources and Renewables
Description: The Clean Fuels Fund can provide municipalities funding to replace traditional fossil fuels with cleaner fuels for heating, transportation and industrial processes. Including; biofuels, clean wood energy from forestry waste products, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas. Eligible projects include studies supporting the adoption of clean fuels, existing facilities and operations ready for implementation of clean fuel use, and new infrastructure to facilitate clean fuel adoption. Projects with a total value up to and including $500,000 (excluding taxes) are eligible for funding up to 75% of the project cost. Projects over $500,000 are eligible for up to 50% of project costs.
Deadline: Closed October 8th, 2024
Contact: CFF@novascotia.ca
Website: Clean Fuels Fund
Green and Inclusive Community Buildings
Department - Organization: Infrastructure Canada
Description: The program supports retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing publicly-accessible community buildings and the construction of new publicly-accessible community buildings for underserved and high-needs communities across Canada. Small and medium retrofits: ranging in total eligible cost from $100,000 to $2,999,999. Large retrofits and new builds: total eligible costs ranging from $3 million to $25 million.
Deadline:
Large retrofits and new builds, closed October 16, 2024.
Small and medium retrofits, closed October 16, 2024.
Contact: gicbp-pbcvi@infc.gc.ca
