Grant Programs
The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia’s Grant Programs provide funding to community initiatives throughout the province. The work that we fund helps build more connected communities in Nova Scotia and makes a difference for individuals living with mental illness or addictions and their loved ones by offering hope and fostering understanding and compassion.
On this page, you’ll find information on the following:
Community Grants
The Community Grant Program awards up to $25,000 per project to charities, community groups, and organizations for community-based mental health and addictions services and supports. The Foundation’s Calls for Community Grants occur bi-annually in January and July. Review a list of previously funded projects and organizations here.
Important Dates
The Call for Applications for Community Grants closed on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. This round of funding will support project activities from April 2026 – March 2027.
All applicants will be notified in early April.
Please refer to Application Criteria, Exclusions, and Applicant Resources as you prepare your application.
Round 2 will open on Thursday, July 2 with a deadline of Thursday, August 13, 2026 at noon.
Questions?
Contact Monica Jordan at grants@mentalhealthns.ca or (902) 233-2639
Applications will be accepted from registered non-profit, for-profit or charitable organizations based in Nova Scotia. Please include the CRA Business Number or NSRJS registration number with your application.
Applications should support the Foundation’s purpose, vision, and values, and demonstrate:
- Evidence-based measurable impact
- Financial, social, economic value and reflective of the current climate
- Support for diverse communities or vulnerable populations
- Attention to overall quality, including spelling and grammar
- A vision for sustainability or future growth
- Collaboration and partnership
- Clear timeline and objectives
- Detailed, fiscally responsible budget
The following requests aren’t eligible.
- Projects or activities outside of Nova Scotia
- Conferences or event sponsorship
- Capital campaigns and projects
- General endowment funds
- Medical equipment
- Requests over $25,000
- Fundraisers
- Deficits including funding or operational shortfalls in the applicant’s budget
- Emergency funding
- Research
- Applications from individuals
- Requests from organizations with overdue reporting requirements from previous grants
- First-time Community Grant recipients are not eligible to apply in the very next round of funding
Application Resources:
Community Grant applications are submitted through our online grants portal. To help you prepare your application, please review our worksheet and guide. Please use these resources to prepare your application, so you can paste your answers into the online portal before the application deadline.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for our grants and any other grants you are considering.
NSH Mental Health & Addictions Program Grants
The Nova Scotia Health Mental Health & Addictions Program Grants provide funding to enhance the services and supports that run within the provincial Mental Health & Addictions Program (Central Zone). These grants are open exclusively to projects that wouldn’t typically receive funding from capital or operating budgets. Applications are accepted once a year.
The 2026-27 Call for Applications runs from December 18 – January 30, 2026. Decisions will be announced in late March for projects running between April 2026 – March 2027.
St. John Ambulance Mental Health Literacy Grant
St. John Ambulance Mental Health Literacy Grant provides funding for individuals and organizations in Nova Scotia to improve their knowledge of mental health through Mental Health and Wellness Training Courses. This grant is open to businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout Nova Scotia. Applications are accepted year-round and are reviewed quarterly.
PLEASE NOTE: Training must be completed within 6 months of funding approval.
Mental Health and Wellness (MHW) Training Courses
Time: 6 hours (1 day)
MHW courses are a one-day sessions designed to address and promote mental health wellness and reduce stigma in the workplace. Individuals will gain skills and knowledge to better identify and guide a colleague toward a resilient outcome.
There are two MHW course options:
1) Mental Health and Wellness: Peer-to-Peer
2) Mental Health and Wellness: Managers & Leaders
