Off Track Brewing is a small microbrewery, located in Bedford, N.S. With a plan to start small with a local focus, the brewery has turned into a local hub in high demand. Off Track is committed to their community, supporting local groups, initiatives and businesses by providing in-kind use of their facility for fundraisers, networking and events. They also believe in cross-promoting other small local businesses through a variety of partnerships.

With the $7,000 Small Business Grant, Off Track will purchase new fermenters enabling them to increase business growth, community impact, as well as production capacity.

For more information on Off Track Brewing, please click here.

Wild Island Sail Adventures

Wild Island Sail Adventures is operated by owner, Justin Davey. Having recently purchased and refitted a small sailboat, Wild Island Sail Adventures is preparing to offer customized tours to provide locals and tourists with an opportunity to experience Halifax Harbour along with the pristine 100 Wild Islands located along the Eastern Shore. Working in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, Wild Island Sail Adventures will provide sailing and low impact camping experiences while adhering to no trace practices.

The $4,000 Small Business Grant will allow for the purchase of valuable safety equipment, including life rafts and marine radars.

For more information on Wild Island Sail Adventures, please click here.


EcoPliance

EcoPliance is a cleantech start-up that produces enhanced food and beverage containers. The Smart Sip Mug is a leak-proof, collapsible mug that is more than an environmentally friendly alternative, it also rewards users for consuming responsibly. The Smart Sip Collapsible Mug is made from a flexible silicon material and collapses into a convenient size of just over two inches.

The $4,000 Small Business Grant will be used toward prototype costs including CAD drawings, molding and the sourcing of desired silicone material.

This volunteer, non-profit organization is dedicated to the preservation of McNabs, Lawlor and Devils Islands. The Friends of McNabs Island promote McNabs Island as a Nature Park and outdoor classroom, hosting picnics, nature and historical tours, as well as annual beach clean-ups. The Society is currently creating an Outdoor Education Centre, transforming an abandoned tea house into a focal point for learning and community recreation for visiting groups.

The $2,000 Community and Non-Profit Grant will allow for the purchase of solar panels and skylights as the Society transforms an old stone building into a sustainable learning centre, called the McNabs Island Outdoor Education Centre.

For more information on The Friends of McNabs Island Society, please click here.

Halifax Brewery Market

This non-profit member-run cooperative organization, operates to support and promote small-scale, local food producers and artisans. With more than 1,000 customers weekly and 40 vendors, the Halifax Brewing Market has started to concentrate on how best to bring green initiatives to the farmers market and its vendors, developing options for vendors to transition to low and no waste packaging options.

With the $2,000 Community and Non-Profit Grant, the Halifax Brewery Market will purchase a commercial dishwasher along with reusable plates, cutlery, cups and mugs. This investment will allow the market’s food vendors to significantly reduce the amount of waste being produced while in compliance with food safety regulations.

For more information on the Halifax Brewery Market, please click here.


The Chebucto Family Centre

This family resource centre strives to provide free programs and resources that are easily accessible to the community and contribute to their overall well-being. Programs and services are participant driven and are continually updated to reflect changes and growing needs. Their Basic Shelf Program grew out of a community need for food related programming. This very popular program provides a comfortable environment for participants to build relationships and develop kitchen skills. Each week, participants plan out nutritious and budget-friendly recipes for meals while connecting with their community as they prepare and share meals together.   

The $1,000 Community and Non-Profit Grant will allow for growth of the Basic Shelf Program including the purchase of kitchen utensils and cookbooks.

For more information on the Chebucto Family Centre, please click here.

This club began in 2015 in Dartmouth, N.S in an effort to provide children between the ages of eight and eleven a place to play baseball. The goals for the Diamond Dawgs are to teach children the fundamentals of the game of baseball in a fun atmosphere, with emphasis on teamwork and being a good citizen, as they make it a priority to give back to the community.

Challenger Baseball

Challenger Baseball has been run by the Hammonds Plains Baseball Association (HPBA) for the last six years, providing the program to all of HRM. The Challenger Baseball program provides an opportunity for children and youth with cognitive and/or physical disabilities to enjoy the full benefits of participating in baseball. Each player is paired with a buddy to help them play. These buddies are the players from HPBA and they provide a safe and enjoyable experience to assist players with all aspects of the game.

The $2,000 Sports and Recreation Grant will allow Challenger Baseball to purchase two new sets of uniforms for their growing program.

For more information on Hammonds Plains Baseball, please click here.

Storm Soccer Club

This not-for-profit youth soccer club is based in Dartmouth, N.S. with 300 members and managed by a board of volunteers. Storm’s goal is to provide an inexpensive, accessible and energetic style of play, that enables children in the community to reach their full potential.

The $1,000 Sports & Recreation Grant will be used to launch “Storm Kick Start.” The club will purchase six soccer free kick mannequins which will allow for an exciting new way for players to practice their free kicks. These mannequins are extremely realistic and will improve player’s focus and performance.

For more information on the Storm Soccer Club, please click here.