Sponsor

Community Foundations of Canada

Program

Canada Healthy Communities Initiative

For More Information

Read the Applicant Guide [1] to learn more about the Initiative and the application process.

Description

Public spaces are the glue to our communities: they enable a feeling of belonging, of social cohesion and encourage our sense of collective identity. COVID-19 has seriously constrained our access and use of these spaces in communities across Canada. Impacts of the virus have also been extraordinarily uneven, underscoring inequalities across communities and disproportionately impacting those who are already experiencing vulnerability as a result of systemic inequalities. 

In the face of these challenges, communities have been extraordinarily resourceful and resilient in improvising temporary and longer-lasting solutions to the challenges of COVID-19. Many are undertaking work for immediate needs but also thinking about how to build pandemic-resilient spaces for the future. We are seeing new digital solutions, that allow people and communities to feel connected, safe and healthy all while respecting public health measures and norms such as physical distancing and mask-wearing.

The Healthy Communities Initiative will provide funding to a broad range of organizations, including local governments, charities, Indigenous communities and nonprofits, for projects, programming and services that help communities : 

• create safe and vibrant public spaces, 
• improve mobility options and 
• provide innovative digital solutions to connect people and improve health. 

Eligibility

Eligible Healthy Communities Initiative projects will:

• respond to identified needs arising from impacts of COVID-19;
• create and adapt public spaces, and programming and services for public spaces in the public interest;
• demonstrate consideration of and connections with the community;
• serve the general public or a community disproportionately impacted by COVID-19; and,
• fall within the three Healthy Communities Initiative theme areas:
  1. Safe and vibrant public spaces
  2. Improved mobility options
  3. Digital solutions

Maximum Project Value

The minimum funding amount for projects is $5,000 and the maximum funding amount is $250,000 for each project. All budget items must be project-related and funding recipients must incur expenses between April 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022. Eligible expenditures will vary depending on the project. Applicants will need to include a budget of anticipated expenses with their application submission. 

How to Apply

There will be two application rounds of funding applications. Applicants who did not receive funding in the first round can reapply for funding in round two but will not be guaranteed funding. The second round will open May 2021.

The Healthy Communities Initiative uses a regional model. Check which region your project is in, using this map [4]. On the application, check off the region(s) where your project will take place. You will then be asked to confirm the funding range you are applying for. All projects will be reviewed by Regional Hubs and projects requesting funding over $100,000 up to $250,000 will also be reviewed at the national level. 

Organizations can submit one application per round. The Office of Reserch Services has a mandatory internal adjudication process to select the one application that will go forward. Please see Deadlines section for more information.

When you are ready to apply, please apply through our central application portal [5]. The application portal is available in French and English.