In 2022, we received 529 applications from across Nova Scotia. Once again, our Member Advisory Council was engaged in the selection process, and we are pleased to share that we have selected a record number of 27 recipients who will receive $100,000 in total. This year, we made a concerted effort to support traditionally under-represented groups, guaranteeing that a minimum of $10,000 would be awarded to organizations within the BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ communities. The successful recipients, listed below, are all creating a positive social and economic impact.

The recipients of the 2022 Community Investment Grant Program include:

Small Business

Scotian Shores Shoreline Clean Up and Debris Removal

The $3,000 grant will be used to invest in Mobile cleanup kits for groups to use. These would include tools and equipment specific to shoreline clean up, information on how to conduct an event, directions and the materials needed to collect data, safety gear and signage.

Visit the Scotian Shores website »

Tatamagouche Ice Creamery

The $7,500 grant will be used to significantly expand manufacturing and distribution capacity. The recipient of the 2021 Taste of Nova Scotia Product of the Year Award, this business is looking to acquire an ice-cream pint filler and lidding machine, a water recycler, a freezer cargo van, and water-cooled batch and blast freezers to increase production and reduce their carbon footprint.

Visit the Tatamagouche Ice Creamery website »

Natural Butter Bar Cosmetics

The $4,500 grant will be used to purchase a commercial mixer, bottle filling machine, and butter melting machine to produce all-natural shampoo, conditioner, and body cream on a commercial scale.

Visit the Natural Butter Bar Cosmetics website »

Fine Grind Reusable Coffee Filters

The $500 grant will be used to service and replace the motor on an industrial sewing machine. This small business makes 100% cotton, reusable coffee filters, and a new motor would expand production.

Visit the Fine Grind website »

The Trainyard

The $750 grant will be used to purchase new retail display stands for local prints & stationery, increasing product visibility and sales of locally manufactured crafts. 

Visit The Trainyard's website »

Mule Mother Books

The $2,500 grant will be used to purchase automation equipment for the production of handmade custom books, journals and photo albums.

Visit Mule Mother Books' website »

Thief&Bandit

The $6,750 grant will be used to install an LED exposure unit to burn silkscreens used for in-house fabric printing at our Halifax studio. This will solidify production to exclusively in-house and potentially allow for hiring opportunities for a darkroom technician. Our team will have complete control over the exposing of our screens, eliminating the wait time of 2-3 weeks for an outsourced screen to just a few hours on location.

Visit the Thief&Bandit website »

Hive to Home Beeswax Wraps

The $1,500 grant will be used to purchase a commercial electric griddle to reduce production time of sustainable beeswax wraps by 90%. Read their grant update »

Visit the Hive to Home website »

Maple Grove Nursery

The $3,000 grant will be used to expand production facility for sustainable organic plant pots and increasing tree planting across the Maritimes.

Visit the Maple Grove Nursery website »

Community

Souls Harbour Rescue Mission

The $6,000 grant will be used to purchase two full- size couches, coffee and end tables, and a “kids” table for eating, games, and homework. Located on the Eastern Shore, The Souls Harbour Women and Children’s home provides supportive shared housing for women and children in distress. Through improving the living environment, this initiative seeks to give residents dignity and a sanctuary for healing.

Visit the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission website »

Out of the Cold Community Association

The $5,000 grant will be used to provide residents of with regular, free, and low- barrier access to computers and the internet. This access will enable residents to participate in important programming and employment, social and recreational activities.

Visit the Out of the Cold Community Association website »

Neil Squire Society

The $5,000 grant will be used to create affordable, customizable assistive devices for people with disabilities and support the STEM development of youth by having them become active participants in creating a more equitable community. This program connects people with disabilities and disability professionals to makers who can assist in fabricating assistive technologies from an open-source library of assistive technology.

Visit the Neil Squire Society website »

Family SOS Association

The $3,000 grant will be used to increase food sources and educate residents on the importance of sustainability, growing your food, sourcing local foods, and further developing the community's assets. This initiative would establish a community garden in a Public Housing Community.  The garden will be used in youth leadership programming as well as added support to the weekly food support program for predominantly single-parent households.

Visit the Family SOS Association website »

Blk Women in Excellence

The $6,000 grant will be used to fill a gap in marginalized communities and Black-owned businesses by educating, supporting, and encouraging Black women in business. Funding will support a rigorous 12-week "LEVEL UP Your Business" program. The program will work with 10 businesses that are 51% Black women-owned and have been operating for 3-5 years. Its focus will be on marketing, revenue streams, financial projections re-evaluated, scaling, social media marketing, e-commerce, and branding. Read their grant update »

Visit the Blk Women in Excellence website »

Health, Wellness and Recreation

Laing House

The $1,000 grant will be used to replace the chairs in the Laing House’s Shared Space so that it becomes more accessible and comfortable.

Visit the Laing House website »

Wellness Within

The $2,000 grant will be used to support the professional development of BIPOC and/or 2SLGTBQIA+ doulas through the creation and ongoing maintenance of a community resource library.

Visit the Wellness Within website »

The Nova Scotia Brotherhood

The $6,200 grant will be used to fund “Barbershop Talks,” which promotes health and wellness among black men in Nova Scotia by offering them a safe space for open and confidential conversations.

Visit the Nova Scotia Brotherhood website »

Richmond River Roots Market Garden Society

The $2,000 grant will be used to modify the tearoom and commercial-grade kitchen to ensure safe access for those with mobility issues, including a widened exterior doorway.

Visit the Richmond River Roots Market Garden Society website »

Spencer House Senior Centre

This $2,000 grant will be used to implement a Tower Garden aeroponic system to increase the number of fresh vegetables in resident meals and provide a social and accessible community space. Read their grant update »

Visit the Spencer House Senior Centre website »

North Highlands Orchard Project

The $1,800 grant will be used to purchase supplies for a rejuvenation of the 1/2-acre organic community orchard that is maintained by volunteers in an area that is a “food desert” with the exception of fishing.

Visit the North Highlands Orchard Project website »

Tourism

Shubie Campground

The $3,500 grant will be used to purchase equipment for the development of a “Learn to Camp” program for low-income families.

Visit the Shubie Campground website »

Pleasant Street Inn

The $3,000 grant will be used for the creation of an outdoor wellness space (including a sauna, yoga deck, and furniture) to entice more guests and lengthen stays.

Visit the Pleasant Street Inn website »

East Rivers Monarch Restaurant at the Marina

The $4,000 grant will be used to purchase equipment and heaters to double the size of the outdoor patio.  This will lengthen the season and allow for the hosting of community events.

Visit the East Rivers Monarch Restaurant at the Marina website »

Halifax Surf School

The $4,500 grant will be used to increase inventory to be able to service more clients during peak season and to increase available cold-water rental inventory that will expand the rental season.

Visit the Halifax Surf School website »

Arts & Culture

Sherbrooke Opportunities Society

The $2,000 grant will used for hosting a gallery show for art projects created by participants, all with varying levels of abilities. 

Visit the Sherbrooke Opportunities Society website »

Breaking Circus

The $7,500 grant will be used to purchase a Mât (a traditional ancient Chinese apparatus) to integrate into their free, interactive and immersive circus experiences.

Visit the Breaking Circus website »

African Nova Scotian Music Association

The $5,500 grant will be used for a workshop program for African-descended youth with musical interests to learn more about the music industry through education, entrepreneurship and community-building.

Visit the African Nova Scotian Music Association website »