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2025 Community Investment Grant Program
Welcome to CUA
At CUA, one of our core values is thinking big. Every day, we take that approach when providing flexible banking solutions to our customers. In 2015, we launched CUA’s Community Investment Grant Program to help good work go further by providing funds to make a purchase or deliver a program that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. We’re excited you’re here, and we look forward to hearing about your work.
About the Process
Before starting your application, please review the following information as we’ve developed resources to help your application have the best chance of success.
| Before You Apply | Eligibility Criteria | Application Worksheets |
Applications will be accepted until January 31st at 4:00 p.m. AST. Selection of finalists and the allocation of funding will be determined by a selection of CUA members and staff. Funding announcements will take place at the end of March, including an email to all applicants to advise them of grant recipients. Ready to apply?
Ready to Apply?
To apply, please select one of the following five grant categories for consideration:
Small Business ($30,000)
This category supports small businesses and social enterprises with a strategic investment of up to $7,500 to be used for new equipment, upgraded technology, improved operational design or implementation of initiatives that promote sustainability and positive environmental impacts.
Community ($25,000)
This category is for non-profit organizations and community associations in Nova Scotia, providing grants up to $10,000 to invest in a one-time purchase, program or initiative that would otherwise not be possible and enhances their impact on clients and communities. Areas for consideration include, but are not limited to, housing affordability and/or security, affordability of goods and services, poverty reduction, improved access to social services, improved quality of life, leadership, sense of belonging and access to education and/or training.
Health, Wellness and Recreation ($15,000)
This category supports programs or initiatives that improve the health and well-being of Nova Scotians, enhancing communities and health outcomes in the areas of financial health, mental health, food security, sport or physical fitness. A minimum of three grant recipients will be selected in this category, with a maximum grant value of $7,500.
Sustainability ($15,000)
This category supports programs or initiatives that promote positive environmental impacts and sustainability efforts with a measurable impact on the environment, ecosystem and biodiversity. Grants will be provided up to $5,000 to fund projects in the areas of energy efficiency, the reduction of greenhouse gases and/or improved waste management.
Arts and Culture ($15,000)
This category is intended for small businesses, non-profits and community organizations preserving or promoting elements of heritage or artistic expression. This includes, but is not limited to, music, theatre, dance, fashion, photography, architecture, language or cultural tradition. A minimum of three grant recipients will be selected in this category, with a maximum grant value of $7,500.
Read our CIGP Recipient Stories
Centre for Women in Business
In 2024, the Centre for Women in Business was awarded a CUA Community Investment Grant—learn how Natalie Frederick-Wilson and her team used their funding to expand access to programming for underrepresented food entrepreneurs.
Mobile Food Market
In early 2024, CUA awarded the Mobile Food Market $4,000 to purchase two new display refrigerators for their home base, to keep supplies fresh and safe, supporting their mission to provide healthy, sustainable, and affordable food options across HRM.
Halifax Surf School
In 2022, Halifax Surf School received a $4,500 grant from CUA’s Community Investment Grant Program to increase available cold-water rental inventory and expand their rental season.
Breaking Circus
In 2022, Breaking Circus received a $7,500 grant through CUA’s Community Investment Grant Program to purchase a ‘mât chinois’, a traditional ancient Chinese circus pole, to be integrated into their performances.
Spence House Senior Centre
In 2022, Spencer House Senior Centre received a $2,000 grant from CUA's Community Investment Grant Program to implement a tower garden aeroponic system to increase the number of fresh vegetables in resident meals.
Sacred Lotus Holistic Wellness
In 2023, Sacred Lotus Holistic Wellness received an $8,000 grant from CUA’s Community Investment Grant Program to deliver an eight-week health and self-care program to BIPOC and other marginalized communities.
South Shore Sexual Health
In 2021, South Shore Sexual Health applied for one of CUA’s Community Investment Grants and was awarded $5,000 to fund the TransFORMATION Closet, a pay-as-you-can service that offers gender affirming gear for both youth and adults in Lunenburg and Queens counties.
Hive to Home
In 2022, Hive to Home was one of the recipients of CUA’s Community Investment Grant Program, receiving $1,500 to be put towards a commercial electric griddle to reduce production time of the beeswax wraps.
Blk Women in Excellence
In 2022, Blk Women in Excellence received a $7,500 grant from to fund facilitators, guest speakers, honorariums, travel, and childcare associated with executing She Means Business, a program designed to support Black women entrepreneurs.
Past Community Investment Grant Program Results
Since it's inception in 2015, CUA's Community Investment Grant has provided direct funding to projects, organizations and small businesses making a difference in communities across Nova Scotia.
2024 CIGP Recipients
2024 CIGP Recipients
In 2024, grants were awarded in five categories to 20 businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2023 CIGP Recipients
2023 CIGP Recipients
In 2023, grants were awarded in five categories to 20 businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2022 CIGP Recipients
2022 CIGP Recipients
In 2022, grants were awarded in five categories to 27 businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2021 CIGP Recipients
2021 CIGP Recipients
In 2021, grants were awarded in five categories to 19 businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2020 CIGP Recipients
2020 CIGP Recipients
In 2020, grants were awarded in three categories to 15 businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2019 CIGP Recipients
2019 CIGP Recipients
In 2019, grants were awarded in three categories to nine businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2018 CIGP Recipients
2018 CIGP Recipients
In 2018, grants were awarded in five categories to nine businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2017 CIGP Recipients
2017 CIGP Recipients
In 2017, grants were awarded in three categories to six businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2016 CIGP Recipients
2016 CIGP Recipients
In 2016, grants were awarded in two categories to five businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2015 CIGP Recipients
2015 CIGP Recipients
In 2015, grants were awarded in two categories to four businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2024 CIGP Recipients
2024 CIGP Recipients
In 2024, grants were awarded in five categories to 20 businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2023 CIGP Recipients
2023 CIGP Recipients
In 2023, grants were awarded in five categories to 20 businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2022 CIGP Recipients
2022 CIGP Recipients
In 2022, grants were awarded in five categories to 27 businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2021 CIGP Recipients
2021 CIGP Recipients
In 2021, grants were awarded in five categories to 19 businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2020 CIGP Recipients
2020 CIGP Recipients
In 2020, grants were awarded in three categories to 15 businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2019 CIGP Recipients
2019 CIGP Recipients
In 2019, grants were awarded in three categories to nine businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2018 CIGP Recipients
2018 CIGP Recipients
In 2018, grants were awarded in five categories to nine businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2017 CIGP Recipients
2017 CIGP Recipients
In 2017, grants were awarded in three categories to six businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2016 CIGP Recipients
2016 CIGP Recipients
In 2016, grants were awarded in two categories to five businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.
2015 CIGP Recipients
2015 CIGP Recipients
In 2015, grants were awarded in two categories to four businesses and organizations in Nova Scotia.