Apply for funding for Community-based projects (up $5,000) – New Horizons for Seniors Program  

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Application period

Current status: Closed

We will post details about the new application process shortly.

Learn more about other funding opportunities

Description of the funding

Eligible organizations can apply for up to $5,000 for projects that are led by seniors and volunteer based.

You can only apply to the program for 1 grant, either for a small grant up to $5,000, or a regular grant up to $25,000. If you have questions about your eligibility or which stream to apply for, contact us.

Objective

Goals for small grants (up to $5,000)

Project activities for small grants (up to $5,000) must be 1 of the following:

  • support information technology (IT) equipment upgrades (such as computers, tablets)
  • provide capital support for current or new activities
  • promote volunteering to increase an organization's capacity

If your project activities are different than those above, you should apply for the $25,000 grant. You may still request $5,000 or less through the $25,000 process.

Program objectives

Projects for small grants (up to $5,000) must meet at least 1 of the following program objectives:

  • promoting volunteerism among seniors and other generations
  • engaging seniors in the community through the mentoring of others
  • expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse
  • supporting the social participation and inclusion of seniors
  • providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and programs for seniors

If your proposed project is requesting capital assistance, you must choose 2 program objectives.

National priorities

Projects for small grants (up to $5,000) must meet at least 1 of the following national priorities:

Priority 1: Supporting healthy ageing

Including:

  • addressing social isolation
  • mental health and dementia, and
  • supporting accessible intergenerational housing

Priority 2: Preventing elder abuse and fraud

Including:

  • measures to reduce crimes and harm against seniors, and
  • supporting financial empowerment of seniors

Priority 3: Combatting ageism, celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion

Including:

  • promoting labour market participation of seniors
  • particularly members of underrepresented or underserved groups including, but not limited to:
    • women
    • Indigenous Peoples
    • persons with disabilities
    • members of racialized and newcomer groups, and
    • members of LGBTQ2+ communities
  • promoting intergenerational mentoring and engagement

Priority 4: Improving seniors' access to government services and benefits

Including:

  • helping seniors navigate access to government benefits, and
  • providing support to file their taxes

Priority 5: Adapting community-based organizations to a more virtual environment

Including:

  • by developing and delivering virtual programming, and
  • recruiting and training volunteers to support the social inclusion of seniors

Eligibility

To apply, you must meet all the following eligibility criteria.

Eligible applicants

For the small grant up to $5,000, your organization cannot have received funding from NHSP since 2015 to 2016.

Your organization must be 1 of the following types:

  • non-profit organization
  • municipality
  • provincial or territorial government, institution or Crown Corporation
  • Indigenous organization including:
    • band council
    • tribal council, and
    • self-government entity
  • coalition, network or committee
  • research organization or institute
  • educational institution
  • public health and social services institution
  • for-profit organization if the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial and does not generate profit

For organizations with offices in multiple locations, each individual location is eligible to apply for funding. However, they must operate independently and have a separate governing structure.

The following organizations are eligible with the agreement of their provincial or territorial government:

  • post-secondary institutions
  • social service and public health institutions
  • provincially/territorially funded institutions

You can only submit 1 application under this stream.

You cannot submit an application under both the $25,000 and the small grants ($5,000).

Eligible projects

Your project must meet all of the following criteria:

  • be no longer than 52 weeks
  • request no more than $5,000
  • meet at least 1 of the goals for small grants (up to $5,000)
  • meet at least 1 program objective
  • meet at least 1 of the national priorities
  • seniors will lead or play a vital role in its planning and/or delivery
  • seek to benefit seniors and communities
  • demonstrate cost effectiveness
Note to organizations in Quebec

The Protocol of Agreement establishes the terms and conditions of cooperation between the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec for implementation of the New Horizons for Seniors Program. We discussed this application process with Quebec's Secrétariat aux aînés. The process is consistent with the Protocol.

How we assess your application

There is a limited assessment process for small grants (up to $5,000). If we decide that your application is eligible, it will be considered for funding.

Additional funding considerations

Funding is distributed as equitably as possible with reach across all provinces and territories in Canada. Funding may be prioritized for projects that:

  • take place in a rural or remote area
  • target vulnerable seniors' populations, such as:
    • Indigenous Peoples
    • seniors with health challenges or disabilities
    • members of racialized and newcomer groups
    • members of LGBTQ2+ communities

Steps to apply

You have until October 23, 2020 at 3:00 pm Eastern time to apply.

Gather your supporting documents and information

A complete application form, which includes:

  • a document that provides proof of operations of your organization. This is only required if you did not provide 1 of the following in your application:
    • a Canada Revenue Agency business number, or
    • a Registraire des Entreprises Québec (REQ) number, or
    • other Provincial, Territorial, Federal corporation number
  • a quote from a contractor for each activity (applicable only if you are proposing renovations or a repair project)

Make sure you have all the documents you need before you apply. If we find your application is incomplete, we will provide you with notice by email. You will have 10 business days to submit the missing information. If your application is not complete by that time, we may reject it.

Apply online

  1. Read the applicant guide to complete your application. This guide includes details for each question of the form
  2. Complete your application online
  3. Email or mail your supporting documents to your nearest New Horizons for Seniors Program office. You must send your documents within 2 days after applying online and include the following:
    • the name of your organization
    • the title of your proposed project
    • your confirmation number
Important notes if you apply online
  • Once you begin completing the online form, it will only be available for 20 hours. If you do not complete it within this timeframe, your session will expire and you will have to start over
  • The questions in the online form are in the same order as the PDF application form. However, the questions are not numbered online
  • You cannot save or access your application at a later time
  • You cannot submit your supporting documents online. You must send your documents by email or mail to your nearest New Horizons for Seniors Program office within 2 days after applying online
  • Private and public organizations must have a CRA business number to apply online
  • You can print a copy of your application before submitting your application. This is the only opportunity to print your application
  • After you print a copy of your online application, click “submit” to complete your application. If you do not click “submit”, your application will not be sent to us

Apply by email or mail

If you cannot apply online:

  1. read the applicant guide to complete your application form. This guide includes details for each question of the form
  2. complete the Application form
  3. send your complete application package by email or by mail to your nearest New Horizons for Seniors Program office.

Apply by Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS)

If you already have a GCOS account:

  1. read the applicant guide to complete your application form. This guide includes details for each question of the form
  2. apply online using GCOS

After you have applied

We will review your application and decide if you will receive funding.

We expect to make funding decisions in February or March 2021.

Confirmation of receipt

Online

Once you submit your online application, you will receive a confirmation number. You will also receive a confirmation of receipt by email.

This confirmation is the acknowledgement of receipt of your application. If you do not receive a confirmation number, we have not received your application.

Through GCOS

You will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt.

By email

You will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt by email.

By mail

You will receive a confirmation of receipt by email within 21 calendar days. We will use the email address you provided in your application.

Contact us

If you have questions or need help with this application process, contact your nearest New Horizons for Seniors Program office.

Information sessions

We will hold information sessions to provide an overview of this application process. You can participate online or by teleconference.

If you are interested, send an email to your nearest New Horizons for Seniors Program office. In your email, specify your preferred language (English or French).

Glossary

Seniors

People that are 55 years of age or older.

Vulnerable seniors population

Individuals or groups that face the greatest socio-economic barriers. These would include those living in poverty and diverse marginalized groups who are at risk of being socially excluded. For example:

  • Indigenous Peoples
  • seniors with health challenges or disabilities
  • members of racialized and newcomer groups
  • members of LGBTQ2+ communities

Capital assets

Non-consumable items that will continue to exist after the funding period ends, such as:

  • equipment
  • electronics
  • furniture
  • appliances, etc.

A capital asset may be a single item or a group of items forming 1 functional unit. For example:

  • components of a public address system for seniors' events includes:
    • an amplifier ($600)
    • 2 speakers ($150 apiece)
    • microphone ($150)
    • stand and cables ($100)

This equals $1,150 since they are a collection of items that are designed to function together.

Capital assets have a purchase or lease value of more than $1,000 before taxes. Capital assets do not include construction or renovations (consult the capital expenditures below).

Capital expenditures

Costs incurred to acquire or improve capital assets. These are costs related to building renovation or repair projects, such as:

  • construction
  • alterations
  • renovations
  • repairs, and
  • leasehold improvements

They include items such as:

  • shed or a greenhouse
  • lumber
  • building materials
  • supplies
  • windows
  • labour
  • contactors
  • trades people, etc.

Confirmed funding

The amount of money or other in-kind contribution that an individual or organization guarantees for your project.

Honoraria

Small token payments made to express gratitude or to symbolize respect. Such payments are not used as:

  • an alternative to a service contract or agreement
  • professional fees, or
  • as a replacement for salaries or wages

Impact

The improvement or change in the community that is attributable to a project's activities.

In-kind contributions

Non-monetary goods or services for which reimbursement will not be requested.

These contributions to the project can come from:

  • the applicant organization
  • other organizations, or
  • partners

In-kind support may include donated equipment, services or labour necessary for your project that would have to purchase otherwise.

Mandatory employment related costs (MERCs)

Payments an employer is required by law to make in respect of its employees such as:

  • Employment Insurance
  • Canada Pension Plan/Québec Pension Plan premiums
  • workers' compensation premiums
  • vacation pay
  • Employer Health Tax
  • benefits which refer to payments an employer is required to make in respect of its employees by virtue of company policy or a collective agreement

Organization's primary activities

The main activities of your organization or business (goods and/or services), including your:

  • mission
  • mandate, and
  • objectives

Explain how your organization serves seniors (if applicable). Ensure to include, if your organization offers accessible communication/information technology in your community.

Outputs

Direct programs or activities to generate the desired outcomes. Several activities may be undertaken to produce 1 output.

Outcomes

The changes, whether short-term, intermediate or long-term, that is expected to occur as the result of a project.

The changes may be to:

  • the community in general
  • to an organization, or
  • to the lives of specific members of the community (individuals or groups)

There may be more than 1 outcome directly related to a project's objective. Outcomes define a project's impact and success.

Professional fees

Costs of services provided by someone who is not an employee. Professional fees often are associated with a service contract or external consultant, such as:

  • external facilitators
  • presenters
  • trainers
  • researchers

Professional fees do not include:

  • staff wages
  • mandatory employment-related costs
  • honoraria, or
  • the costs to administer the project

Project objective

The description of what the project will achieve when completed. The objective is:

  • specific and measurable, and
  • must meet time, budget, and quality constraints

Rural and remote communities

  • a population of less than 1,000, and
  • no, or very little access to the services of the closest municipality with a population of 1,000 or more

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