General Eligibility Criteria

• Applications must be received no later than January 31, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. AST via the online submission form at cua.com/grants.
• Applicants must operate in Nova Scotia, employing or enlisting (e.g., employees, volunteers, board members) one or more Nova Scotian residents and either serving Nova Scotians or selling products and services anywhere in the world from their Nova Scotia headquarters.
• Applicants are not required to be current members of CUA.
• Funds must be used for projects planned in 2024 and may not be used for ongoing staffing, administrative or operational costs such as wages, rent, heat, electricity or standard maintenance.
  • Delays outside of recipients’ control (e.g., supply chain disruptions or rescheduled construction dates by skilled tradespersons) causing delays to project execution will not result in CUA rescinding grants, once awarded.
  • Wages or staffing costs can be considered applicable (a new hire or role expansion) for the sole purpose of implementing your proposed project or initiative.
• Applicants must not have previously received funds through the Community Investment Grant Program.

The Community Investment Grant Program funds will be awarded to individuals and organizations who are stewards of innovation, the Nova Scotia economy, its people and communities, and the environment. Funding will align with CUA’s mission of helping everyday people achieve progress in their lives. The Program welcomes and celebrates the inclusion and promotion of diversity and equality.

About the Grant Categories

Please review CUA’s eligibility criteria before choosing a category for application. Your organization may fit into multiple categories; you should select the one that you feel is the best fit out of the following five:

• • Small Business ($30,000). This category supports small businesses and social enterprises with a strategic investment of up to $7,500 to be used for new equipment, upgraded technology, improved operational design or implementation of initiatives that promote sustainability and positive environmental impacts.

• • Community ($25,000). This category is for non-profit organizations and community associations in Nova Scotia, providing grants up to $10,000 to invest in a one-time purchase, program or initiative that would otherwise not be possible and enhances their impact on clients and communities. Areas for consideration include, but are not limited to, housing affordability and/or security, affordability of goods and services, poverty reduction, improved access to social services, improved quality of life, leadership, sense of belonging and access to education and/or training.

• • Health, Wellness and Recreation ($15,000). This category supports programs or initiatives that improve the health and well-being of Nova Scotians, enhancing communities and health outcomes in the areas of financial health, mental health, food security, sport or physical fitness. A minimum of three grant recipients will be selected in this category, with a maximum grant value of $7,500.

• • Sustainability ($15,000). This category supports programs or initiatives that promote positive environmental impacts and sustainability efforts with a measurable impact on the environment, ecosystem and biodiversity. Grants will be provided up to $5,000 to fund projects in the areas of energy efficiency, the reduction of greenhouse gases and/or improved waste management.

• • Arts and Culture ($15,000). This category is intended for small businesses, non-profits and community organizations preserving or promoting elements of heritage or artistic expression. This includes, but is not limited to, music, theatre, dance, fashion, photography, architecture, language or cultural tradition. A minimum of three grant recipients will be selected in this category, with a maximum grant value of $7,500.  

Please note that CUA staff may re-categorize your application if required. Your application will not be disqualified based on a submission to an incorrect category.

Learn About Previous Grant Recipients

In 2023, Sacred Lotus Holistic Wellness was one of the recipients of CUA’s Community Investment Grant Program, receiving $8,000 to deliver an eight-week health and self-care program to BIPOC and other marginalized Communities. As a result, the program empowered individuals to take control of their health through education.

Spencer House Senior Centre (story)

As part of CUA’s 2022 Community Investment Grant program, Spencer House Senior Centre received $2,000 to implement a tower garden aeroponic system to increase the number of fresh vegetables in resident meals. To assist with their tower garden, they also created a network of volunteers who formed their Garden Club, a group which met weekly throughout the summer to grow vegetables and build connections.