The New Horizons for Seniors program is accepting applications for regular grants of up to $25,000 and small grants of up to $5,000.  The deadline for application is October 20, 2020 at 3 p.m. (Eastern).

Funding decisions are anticipated to be made in February/March 2021.  Projects must start no later than March 31, 2021.

Links to application forms, applicant guide and other key information appear below in the section titled Important Links to Forms and Information.

What kind of funding is available?

Regular Grants

• Up to $25,000 for projects that are led by seniors and volunteer based
• Capital Projects must meet at least 2 of the 5 objectives listed below
• Maximum 52-week duration
• One set of mandatory criteria (listed below) and 2 sets of additional criteria that, if met, will result in higher assessment points and greater likelihood of being funded

Small Grants – Up to $5,00

Only available if:

• Your project involves 1 of the 3 objectives listed below:
  • 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
• You meet at least 1 of the 5 objectives listed as Mandatory Criteria below
• You meet at least 1 of the 5 National Priorities listed below
• You have not received New Horizons for Seniors funding since 2015-2016

Note: If your project does not meet these criteria, you must apply for a Regular Grant.

What kinds of projects are eligible?

There are 3 sets of criteria to keep in mind when preparing and submitting your application.

#1) Mandatory Criteria

All projects must support 1 or more of these 5 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; and
• Providing capital assistance for new and existing community projects and/or programs for seniors

#2) National Priorities

Projects for Small Grants must meet at least 1 of these priorities.

Projects for Regular Grants (up to $25K) will score higher if they meet at least 1 of these 5 priorities:

1. Supporting healthy ageing

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

1. Preventing elder abuse and fraud

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

1. 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, and promoting intergenerational mentoring and engagement

1. Improving seniors’ access to government services and benefits

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

1. 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

#3) Priority Populations and Settings – Additional Assessment Points

Projects that meet these criteria may be granted higher priority and will score additional points in the assessment criteria

• 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

 

What is the application process?

 

The complete application package includes these 3 pieces:

1. Standard Grant Application for Funding – (see link below)
2. Quote from Contractor (if you are proposing renovations or repair)
3. Letter of Community Support – (see sample letter in the Applicant Guide)

Note: If you provide the 15-digit CRA number for your ministry unit, you should not have to provide proof of your organization’s status.

We recommend that you use your ministry unit name, as registered with the Canada Revenue Agency, as the “Operating Name” in Section C – Part 1 - Organization.  To find the name of your ministry unit, as registered with the Canada Revenue Agency, go to the CRA charities listing.

Note: We have attached a PDF of the Standard Grant Application for Funding form in which we have filled out the information that is common to all ministry units. 

Important Links to Forms and Information

 

Click here for more information about the Small Grants – up to $5,000.

Click here for more information about the Regular Grants – up to $25,000.

Click here to access the Standard Grant Application for Funding.

Click here to access the Applicant Guide.

Click here to find your ministry unit’s 15-digit CRA registration number if you do not know it.

Click here for guidance as to how to fill out fields that are common to all ministry units.

 

Am I authorized to sign the Application Form?

 

Yes, the Corps Officer or Executive Director may sign and submit the Application Form.

Please keep a copy of your Standard Grant Application for Funding (screen shots from online form or copy of PDF form).

If you are approved, please send your Grant Agreement, a copy of your Standard Grant Application for Funding, and any related documentation to THQ for legal review and Governing Council signature.  Please send your agreement to Bona Zoto, with a cc: to your AC (or Divisional Social Services Secretary) and your DSBA.

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