Media Release - 2022 Grant Program
CUA Awards $100,000 in Community Grants
Halifax, N.S. — CUA has announced funding for 27 projects, organizations and small businesses aiming to make a positive impact in communities across Nova Scotia. A total of $100,000 is being distributed across five categories: Small Business, Community, Health, Wellness & Recreation, Tourism, and Arts & Culture.“The response to this year’s Program has been amazing,” said Marie Mullally, President & CEO of CUA. “I am very proud to see the impact we are having on the economic, social and environmental health of our Province. With a record number of 27 grants awarded, we are looking forward to staying connected to the recipients and sharing more about their work throughout the year.”
Now in its eighth year, CUA’s Community Investment Grant Program has helped nearly 100 organizations throughout Nova Scotia. Applications for grants totaled over $4 million, with submissions from over 500 deserving projects, businesses, and organizations across the Province.
This year, CUA made a concerted effort to support traditionally under-represented groups, guaranteeing that a minimum of $10,000 would be awarded to organizations within the BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ communities. That goal has been greatly surpassed, with $50,000, a full 50% of the total funding, awarded to organizations that fall within those categories, either through ownership or organizational mission.
This year’s grant recipients were selected by CUA’s Member Advisory Council. Earlier today, recipients gathered for a virtual celebration hosted by CUA to recognize and discuss the impact the funding will have on their work, organization, and community.
The 2022 Community Investment Grant Program recipients are:
Small Business
- Scotian Shores Shoreline Clean Up and Debris Removal - $3,000
- Tatamagouche Ice Creamery - $7,500
- Natural Butter Bar Cosmetics - $4,500
- Fine Grind Reusable Coffee Filters - $500
- The Trainyard - $750
- Mule Mother Books - $2,500
- Thief&Bandit - $6,750
- Hive to Home Beeswax Wraps - $1,500
- Maple Grove Nursery - $3,000
Community
- Souls Harbour Rescue Mission - $6,000
- Out of the Cold Community Association - $5,000
- Neil Squire Society, Nova Scotia Chapter - $5,000
- Family SOS Association - $3,000
- BLK Women in Excellence - $6,000
Health, Wellness & Recreation
- Laing House - $1,000
- Wellness Within - $2,000
- The Nova Scotia Brotherhood - $6,200
- Richmond River Roots Market Carden Society - $2,000
- Spencer House Senior Centre - $2,000
- North Highlands Orchard Project - $1,800
Tourism
- Shubie Campground - $3,500
- Pleasant Street Inn - $3,000
- East Rivers Monarch Restaurant at the Marina - $4,000
- Halifax Surf School - $4,500
Arts & Culture
- Sherbrooke Opportunities Society - $2,000
- Breaking Circus - $7,500
- African Nova Scotian Music Association - $5,500
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About CUA
Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, CUA is a full-service banking institution serving 20,000 members with flexible products, personalized service and quick decisions. CUA has eight branches spanning Tantallon to Cole Harbour, as well as Wealth Management Services, Commercial Banking Centre and a dedicated Customer Contact Centre. To learn more, visit cua.com.
Media Contact
Erin Maxner
Manager, Marketing and Communications
emaxner@cua.com
Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, CUA is a full-service banking institution serving 20,000 members with flexible products, personalized service and quick decisions. CUA has eight branches spanning Tantallon to Cole Harbour, as well as Wealth Management Services, Commercial Banking Centre and a dedicated Customer Contact Centre. To learn more, visit cua.com.
Media Contact
Erin Maxner
Manager, Marketing and Communications
emaxner@cua.com
2022 Community Investment Grant Recipients
Small Business
Scotian Shores Shoreline Clean Up and Debris Removal who received a $3,000 grant which will purchase Mobile cleanup kits, which include tools, equipment, information on conducting an event, directions and the materials needed to collect data, safety gear and signage for community groups to use.
Tatamagouche Ice Creamery who received a $7,500 grant which will significantly expand manufacturing and distribution capacity. They are the recipient of the 2021 Taste of Nova Scotia Product of the Year Award, and the business is looking to acquire an ice-cream pint filler and lidding machine, a water recycler, a freezer cargo van, and water-cooled batch and blast freezers to increase production and reduce their carbon footprint.
Natural Butter Bar Cosmetics who received $4,500 to purchase a commercial mixer, bottle filling machine, and butter melting machine to produce their all-natural shampoo, conditioner, and body cream on a commercial scale.
Fine Grind Reusable Coffee Filters who received a $500 grant to service and replace the motor on their industrial sewing machine. This small business makes 100% cotton, reusable coffee filters, and a new motor will expand their production capacity.
The Trainyard who received a $750 grant to purchase new retail display stands for local prints and stationery, which will increase product visibility and sales of locally manufactured crafts.
Mule Mother Books who received $2,500 to purchase automation equipment to produce handmade custom books, journals and photo albums.
Thief&Bandit who received a $6,750 grant to install an LED exposure unit to burn silkscreens used for in-house fabric printing at their Halifax studio, which will also allow a hiring opportunity for a darkroom technician.
Hive to Home Beeswax Wraps who received a $1,500 grant will purchase a commercial electric griddle in order to reduce the production time of their sustainable beeswax wraps by 90%.
Maple Grove Nursery who received $3,000 to expand their production facility for sustainable organic plant pots and increase tree planting across the Maritimes.
Small Business
Scotian Shores Shoreline Clean Up and Debris Removal who received a $3,000 grant which will purchase Mobile cleanup kits, which include tools, equipment, information on conducting an event, directions and the materials needed to collect data, safety gear and signage for community groups to use.
Tatamagouche Ice Creamery who received a $7,500 grant which will significantly expand manufacturing and distribution capacity. They are the recipient of the 2021 Taste of Nova Scotia Product of the Year Award, and the business is looking to acquire an ice-cream pint filler and lidding machine, a water recycler, a freezer cargo van, and water-cooled batch and blast freezers to increase production and reduce their carbon footprint.
Natural Butter Bar Cosmetics who received $4,500 to purchase a commercial mixer, bottle filling machine, and butter melting machine to produce their all-natural shampoo, conditioner, and body cream on a commercial scale.
Fine Grind Reusable Coffee Filters who received a $500 grant to service and replace the motor on their industrial sewing machine. This small business makes 100% cotton, reusable coffee filters, and a new motor will expand their production capacity.
The Trainyard who received a $750 grant to purchase new retail display stands for local prints and stationery, which will increase product visibility and sales of locally manufactured crafts.
Mule Mother Books who received $2,500 to purchase automation equipment to produce handmade custom books, journals and photo albums.
Thief&Bandit who received a $6,750 grant to install an LED exposure unit to burn silkscreens used for in-house fabric printing at their Halifax studio, which will also allow a hiring opportunity for a darkroom technician.
Hive to Home Beeswax Wraps who received a $1,500 grant will purchase a commercial electric griddle in order to reduce the production time of their sustainable beeswax wraps by 90%.
Maple Grove Nursery who received $3,000 to expand their production facility for sustainable organic plant pots and increase tree planting across the Maritimes.
Community
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission who received a $6,000 grant to purchase new living room furniture for the Souls Harbour Women and Children’s home, which provides supportive shared housing for women and children in distress.
Out of the Cold Community Association who received a $5,000 grant to provide residents with regular, free, and low- barrier access to computers and the internet. This access will enable those who are unhoused or precariously housed to participate in important programming along with employment, social and recreational activities.
Neil Squire Society, Nova Scotia Chapter who received a $5,000 grant to create affordable, customizable assistive devices for people with disabilities and support the STEM development of youth by having them become active participants in creating a more equitable community.
Family SOS Association who received $3,000 to establish a community garden in a Spryfield Public Housing Community. This will increase food sources and educate residents on the importance of sustainability, growing your food, sourcing local foods, and further developing the community's assets, as well as being used in youth leadership programming.
BLK Women in Excellence who received a $6,000 grant to support a rigorous 12-week "LEVEL UP Your Business" program, which works with 10 businesses that are 51% Black women-owned and have been operating for 3-5 years. Its focus will be on marketing, revenue streams, financial projections re-evaluated, scaling, social media marketing, e-commerce, and branding.
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission who received a $6,000 grant to purchase new living room furniture for the Souls Harbour Women and Children’s home, which provides supportive shared housing for women and children in distress.
Out of the Cold Community Association who received a $5,000 grant to provide residents with regular, free, and low- barrier access to computers and the internet. This access will enable those who are unhoused or precariously housed to participate in important programming along with employment, social and recreational activities.
Neil Squire Society, Nova Scotia Chapter who received a $5,000 grant to create affordable, customizable assistive devices for people with disabilities and support the STEM development of youth by having them become active participants in creating a more equitable community.
Family SOS Association who received $3,000 to establish a community garden in a Spryfield Public Housing Community. This will increase food sources and educate residents on the importance of sustainability, growing your food, sourcing local foods, and further developing the community's assets, as well as being used in youth leadership programming.
BLK Women in Excellence who received a $6,000 grant to support a rigorous 12-week "LEVEL UP Your Business" program, which works with 10 businesses that are 51% Black women-owned and have been operating for 3-5 years. Its focus will be on marketing, revenue streams, financial projections re-evaluated, scaling, social media marketing, e-commerce, and branding.
Health, Wellness & Recreation
Laing House who received a $1,000 grant to replace the chairs in the Laing House’s Shared Space so that it becomes more accessible and comfortable.
Wellness Within who received a $2,000 grant to support the professional development of BIPOC and/or 2SLGTBQIA+ doulas through the creation and ongoing maintenance of a community resource library.
The Nova Scotia Brotherhood who received a $6,200 grant to fund “Barbershop Talks,” which promotes health and wellness among black men in Nova Scotia by offering them a safe space for open and confidential conversations.
Richmond River Roots Market Garden Society who received $2,000 to modify the tearoom and commercial-grade kitchen to ensure safe access for those with mobility issues, which includes a widened exterior doorway.
Spencer House Senior Centre who received a $2,000 grant to implement a Tower Garden aeroponic system to increase the number of fresh vegetables in resident meals and provide a social and accessible community space.
North Highlands Orchard Project who received $1,800 to purchase supplies for a rejuvenation of their 1/2-acre organic community orchard that is maintained by volunteers in an area that is a "food desert".
Laing House who received a $1,000 grant to replace the chairs in the Laing House’s Shared Space so that it becomes more accessible and comfortable.
Wellness Within who received a $2,000 grant to support the professional development of BIPOC and/or 2SLGTBQIA+ doulas through the creation and ongoing maintenance of a community resource library.
The Nova Scotia Brotherhood who received a $6,200 grant to fund “Barbershop Talks,” which promotes health and wellness among black men in Nova Scotia by offering them a safe space for open and confidential conversations.
Richmond River Roots Market Garden Society who received $2,000 to modify the tearoom and commercial-grade kitchen to ensure safe access for those with mobility issues, which includes a widened exterior doorway.
Spencer House Senior Centre who received a $2,000 grant to implement a Tower Garden aeroponic system to increase the number of fresh vegetables in resident meals and provide a social and accessible community space.
North Highlands Orchard Project who received $1,800 to purchase supplies for a rejuvenation of their 1/2-acre organic community orchard that is maintained by volunteers in an area that is a "food desert".
Tourism
Shubie Campground who received a $3,500 grant to purchase equipment for the development of a “Learn to Camp” program for low-income families.
Pleasant Street Inn who received $3,000 to create an outdoor wellness space (sauna, yoga deck, furniture) to entice more guests and lengthen stays.
East Rivers Monarch Restaurant at the Marina who received a $4,000 grant to purchase equipment and heaters to double the size of the outdoor patio, lengthen the operating season and allow for hosting community events.
Halifax Surf School who received a $4,500 grant to increase their inventory, allowing them to service more clients during peak season and increase available cold-water rental inventory that will expand the rental season.
Shubie Campground who received a $3,500 grant to purchase equipment for the development of a “Learn to Camp” program for low-income families.
Pleasant Street Inn who received $3,000 to create an outdoor wellness space (sauna, yoga deck, furniture) to entice more guests and lengthen stays.
East Rivers Monarch Restaurant at the Marina who received a $4,000 grant to purchase equipment and heaters to double the size of the outdoor patio, lengthen the operating season and allow for hosting community events.
Halifax Surf School who received a $4,500 grant to increase their inventory, allowing them to service more clients during peak season and increase available cold-water rental inventory that will expand the rental season.
Arts & Culture
Sherbrooke Opportunities Society who received a $2,000 grant to host a gallery show for art projects created by their participants, all with varying levels of abilities.
Breaking Circus who received a $7,500 grant to purchase a Mât Chinois, a traditional ancient Chinese circus pole, to integrate into their free, interactive and immersive circus experiences.
African Nova Scotian Music Association who received $5,500 to develop a workshop program for African-descended youth with musical interests in order to learn more about the music industry through education, entrepreneurship and community-building.
Sherbrooke Opportunities Society who received a $2,000 grant to host a gallery show for art projects created by their participants, all with varying levels of abilities.
Breaking Circus who received a $7,500 grant to purchase a Mât Chinois, a traditional ancient Chinese circus pole, to integrate into their free, interactive and immersive circus experiences.
African Nova Scotian Music Association who received $5,500 to develop a workshop program for African-descended youth with musical interests in order to learn more about the music industry through education, entrepreneurship and community-building.
