The Halifax Foundation

The Halifax Foundation is an independent non-profit organization created by an Act of the Nova Scotia Legislature, with mandate to support, from earnings on invested contributions, existing and new endeavours in arts and culture, education, environment, health, heritage, recreation and social response that enhance public places, facilities and public services in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

The Foundation initiates public projects itself and, to the extent its available funds allow, considers applications for financial assistance from other charities that comply with these guidelines. As a registered charity itself, the Foundation can make such grants only to “qualified donees”, a defined term in the Income Tax Act which may usefully be interpreted as confined to registered charities.

To ensure accountability and effectiveness in grant-making, the Foundation has developed the following guidelines for those seeking its financial support:

• Applicants must have Revenue Canada status as qualified donees and provide official charitable registration number with their applications;
• Projects assisted by the Foundation must benefit primarily the people of Halifax Regional Municipality;
• Applicants must demonstrate a clear need for each project, how the project will benefit the community, and that the funding sought from the Foundation is not otherwise available:
• Capital requests must include a maintenance and replacement program;
•  Pilot or demonstration projects must include an evaluation process;
• Participation by the Foundation will customarily be limited to single time or short term assistance

• Individual applicants
• annual fund-raising appeals
• regular ongoig operating costs
• outside travel and conferences
• deficit funding
• endowment funds
• governments or their agencies other than HRM
• any partisan political or any religious institution

Applications, in appropriate detail and with supporting documentation, must be made in the prescribed application form, which follows.  There are three deadlines each year for Foundations receipt of applications:  October 1, February 1, and June 1.  Up to ninty days should be allowed, following each deadline, for the Foundations review and response. 

Application form

Applications should be addressed to:

Grants Review Committee,
The Halifax Foundation
PO Box 2635
Halifax NS B3J 3P5