What this program offers

The community-based stream of the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grant that supports community-based projects that are designed by seniors for seniors. This program funds projects that empower seniors in their communities and contribute to improving their health and well-being.

Eligible organizations can apply for up to $25,000 for projects that are led by seniors and are volunteer based.

On this page

• Program objectives
• Funding priorities
• Glossary

Program objectives

Projects submitted for this grant (up to $25,000) 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/or programs for seniors

If your proposed project is requesting capital assistance, it must meet at least 1 of the first 4 program objectives.

Funding priorities

Projects submitted for this grant (up to $25,000) do not have to meet 1 of the following National priorities. However, if your project does meet 1 or more of the National priorities, it will receive extra points during the assessment process.

Priority 1: Supporting healthy ageing

Including:

• addressing social isolation, including through supporting seniors’ digital literacy
• addressing ageism
• supporting mental health and dementia

Priority 2: Preventing senior abuse

Including:

• providing measures to reduce crimes and harm against seniors including elder abuse
• developing educational material to prevent unscrupulous practices, financial fraud and scams from happening to seniors

Priority 3: Celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion

Including:

• promoting intergenerational mentoring and engagement
• advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and helping to secure a better quality of life for Indigenous seniors
• collaborating with diverse communities notably by serving members of the following vulnerable groups:
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • persons with disabilities
  • members of racialized and newcomer groups
  • members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities
  • low-income seniors
  • veterans
  • members of official language minority communities (OLMCs)
  • people who primarily speak languages other than English and French
  • seniors living in rural or remote areas

Priority 4: Supporting financial security

Including:

• helping seniors navigate and access government services and benefits and providing support to file their taxes
• supporting financial empowerment of seniors

Glossary

Here is a list of key terms used within the “Prepare to Apply” section.

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)
  • two speakers ($150 a piece)
  • a microphone ($150)
  • a 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 (see capital expenditures in glossary).

Capital assistance

Material and equipment that organizations are able to buy, build or repair that offers new activities or ensures the continuity of current activities.

Capital expenditures (facilities)

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

• construction
• alterations
• renovations
• repairs
• leasehold improvements

They include items such as:

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

Confirmed funding

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

Constitution

• A document from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that includes your organization’s business or registration number
  • This is a tax-related document that includes your organization’s business or registration number with the CRA
• If your organization is not incorporated, send a copy of your rules, by-laws, council resolutions or constitution. Indigenous organizations that are part of a band must include a copy of a Band Council Resolution (BCR) or any other permission required. Note that the BCR must reflect knowledge and approval of the activities in your proposal

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
• 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
• partners

In-kind support may include donated equipment, services or labour necessary for your project that would have to be purchased 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
• objectives

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
• 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.

Outputs

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

Practical supports

Services, tools and resources to help seniors to remain in their homes longer, such as:

• grocery shopping
• lawn care
• snow removal
• transportation services for appointments
• meal delivery

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
• the costs to administer the project

Project objective

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

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

Proof of Operations

A document that clearly shows your organization’s type, legal status and governance structure:

• if your organization is incorporated, attach in your application a copy of 1 of the following:
  • letters of patent
  • articles of incorporation
  • certificate of incorporation or memorandum of association
  • your rules
  • by-laws

Rural and remote communities

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

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
• people with disabilities
• members of racialized and newcomer groups
• members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities
• low-income seniors
• veterans
• members of official language minority communities (such as community members that only speak French but live in an English majority community, or vice versa)
• people who primarily speak languages other than English or French