Media Release

Community Investment Grant Returns for 2026

More funding. More impact. More support for Nova Scotian communities.

Halifax, N.S. – Grant applications are now open for CUA’s 2026 Community Investment Grant Program. This year, the funding will be increased to $125,000.

Now entering its 11th year, the Program has funded more than 155 projects and distributed over $650,000 for initiatives across the Province. 

“Nova Scotians share incredible passion for strengthening their communities,” said Marie Mullally, CUA’s President & CEO. “The additional funding ensures even more of this meaningful work can move forward and drive positive change across our Province.”

Douglas Arthur Brown, publisher at Boularderie Island Press and a 2025 grant recipient, held a 10-week creative writing workshop for seniors living in rural locations to foster inclusion and social participation.

“The workshop spots were filled and participants attended every week,” said Brown. “Several participants will continue to meet to explore the power of writing.”

Participants wrote stories about their past with mentorship from several senior Cape Breton writers, which were compiled into the published book Our Rural Writes. The interest and demand for the book have been very strong, and less than a month after its initial publication, Boularderie Island Press is undertaking a second print run of the book.

"Less than a month after the initial publication, we realized we needed an additional printing of the book in early 2026,” said Brown. “A participant described how when they brought the book to visit a friend at a senior home, that friend had shared with other residents that the book was going to be read to them. They filled the room with people to hear the stories.”

To celebrate the success, CBC Radio broadcasted the book launch at the end of November 2026. 

CUA’s Community Impact Grant is open to applicants until 4:00 p.m. on January 31, 2026. Funds will be allocated across five categories:

•    Small Business
•    Community
•    Health, Wellness & Recreation
•    Sustainability
•    Arts & Culture

“We are continually amazed by how far these grants go,” said Mullally. “These recipients continue to show us the impact you can make when you give resources to people who care. That’s the true power of this Program – remarkable things happen.”

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Media Contact

Erin Maxner, MBA

emaxner@cua.com

P: 902.492.6605