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January 2026
Page 15-11.1
Grants Policy 15-11
Amended January 2026
Title
1. This Policy is entitled the Grants Policy.
Policy Statement
2. The Municipality of Cumberland recognizes the importance of having citizens actively
engaged in their communities and the contribution that non-profit organizations make
to the sustainability of our communities and our Municipality, and wishes to support
their efforts in various ways, including financial assistance.
3. This Policy enables the provision of funding programs which directly impact municipal
goals through community engagement, and will:
a) ensure that reporting processes are in place to enable the Municipality to
measure progress toward achieving its goals.
b) ensure grants are awarded in a uniform, fair and equitable manner with clear
processes and procedures.
c) identify roles and relationships; and
d) conform to the written guidelines for the grant and programs.
Overview
4. Requests for assistance regarding sponsorship or advertising will be dealt with
separately under the Advertising and Promotions Policy 23-03.
5. Student Bursaries will be dealt with under Policy 25-02.
6. It is Council's intent to support community initiatives which are consistent with
Municipal goals and strategic priorities, through the administration of the following
financial assistance programs:
a) Annual Grant - Given to organizations with which the Municipality has a signed,
multi-year agreement.
b) District Grant - Each Council member shall be provided an annual budget to
allocate to projects within their communities.
c) Large Capital Project Grant - for capital projects $20,000 or over in total value.
d) Small Capital Project Grant - for capital projects under $20,000 in total value.
e) Community Program Grant - for community-based programming and services.
f) Community Event Grant - for community-based events, festivals and workshops.
g) Large Operations and Maintenance Grant - multi-year operational support for
larger facilities.
Municipality of the County Cumberland
Grants Policy 15-11
January 2026
Page 15-11.2
h) Small Operations and Maintenance Grant - operational support for smaller facilities,
community halls, and museums.
Conditions
7. All funding assistance provided through any of the grant programs must comply with the
provisions of the Municipal Government Act.
8. Subject to section 6 and compliance with the Municipality's goals and strategic priorities,
funding through the grant programs may be used in support of any type of activity that
benefits the community including, but not limited to, Recreation, Health & Healthy Living,
Social and Community Service, Stewardship of the Environment, Education & Lifelong
Learning, Community Economic Development and Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
9. It is the intent of this Policy to create grant programs that provide funding based on
financial need. Should an approved project generate excess revenue, the recipient will
be required to refund the grant, up to the amount of the excess revenue.
10. Community organizations may be eligible to apply for assistance through multiple grant
programs, provided the applications pertain to separate and distinct projects, programs or
initiatives, except for Large and Small Capital Projects (see Appendix A for more details).
11. Where the proponent may not be an incorporated non-profit organization, the
Municipality will consider applications from a 3rd party incorporated non-profit as the
applicant on their behalf.
12. Applicants are encouraged to plan their projects and activities well in advance to ensure
compliance with application requirements and an optimum chance for success.
13. Activities and projects aimed primarily at fundraising are not eligible for assistance
through the Municipality's financial assistance programs.
14. Applicants applying for capital projects must demonstrate that they used a competitive
procurement process.
Guidelines
15. Guidelines are laid out for each program and include:
a) Program description
b) Eligibility criteria
c) Application frequency
d) Application deadlines
e) Approving grants
f) Application processes, procedures and requirements
g) Municipal and community contribution limits and/or requirements
h) Assessment criteria (if applicable)
i) Reporting and accountability requirements; and
j) Payment procedures and requirements
16. Program guidelines may be changed upon Council approval by ordinary resolution.
Municipality of the County Cumberland
Grants Policy 15-11
January 2026
Page 15-11.3
Roles and Relationships
17. Staff and councillors will encourage community residents to become engaged in
projects and initiatives to support the sustainability of their communities and to
consider the availability of the various grant programs as applicable.
18. Municipal staff will be assigned responsibility for the administration of each grant
program, and the role of each responsible employee will be clearly set out.
19. Municipal staff will prepare a report and recommendation for each application or
group of applications as applicable, to be presented to Council for approval.
Budget and Allocation of Funds
20. On an annual basis, Council will identify an amount to be allocated in support of each
grant program.
21. A portion of the total amount budgeted shall be allocated to each of the grant programs
set out in section 6 of this Policy based on anticipated demand, and that allocation may
be adjusted from year to year as needed.
Reporting and Evaluation
22. A report shall be prepared at the end of each fiscal year, providing an overview of the
allocation of funds in each grant program and the extent to which it supported
Municipal goals and strategic priorities. The report may also include recommendations
for changes to this Policy, the program guidelines and/or budget allocations.
Effective Date
23. This policy is in effect upon adoption and repeals all previous versions of the Grants
Policy.
Clerks Annotation for Official Policy Book
Date of Notice to Council Members of Intent to Consider (7 days minimum): November 2, 2015
Date of Passage of Policy: November 18, 2015
Date of Notice to Council of Intent to Consider the Amended Policy: January 21, 2026
Date of Passage of Amended Policy: January 28, 2026
I hereby certify that this Policy was adopted as indicated above.
Deputy Clerk:
Date: January 29, 2026
Municipality of the County Cumberland
Grants Policy 15-11
January 2026
Page 15-11.4
Appendix A
Grant Program Guidelines
Overview
The Municipality of Cumberland recognizes the important contribution that volunteer organizations
make to the sustainability of our communities and our County and wishes to support their efforts by
providing financial assistance when necessary. Grant programs provide support for any type of
activity that benefits the community, including recreation, health and healthy living, social
opportunities and community service, stewardship of the environment, education and life-long
learning, community economic development & tourism, heritage, culture, and creative arts.
Program Categories
The Municipality's Grant Programs include:
Category
Purpose
Possible Funding
Other conditions
Annual
These are given to
Organizations with which the
Municipality has signed a
multi-year funding
agreement.
As negotiated.
Agreements will be
considered for
renegotiation upon
expiration.
District
To provide Council members
with an annual budget to
support projects in their
communities.
Up to $3000 per
application.
Applicants may seek
funding from up to 2
Council members
plus the Mayor.
Large Capital
To provide financial
assistance to non-profit
organizations undertaking a
major community capital
project. These projects may
include the construction or
expansion of a facility or the
purchase of large capital
items.
For projects over
$20,000 in total
value. The
Municipality may
provide up to 1/2 of
the capital costs to a
maximum of $75,000.
1 application per
year, per
organization.
If approved, an
applicant cannot
apply again for the
large capital program
for 2 fiscal years.
Applicants cannot
apply for the small
capital project in the
same year.
Multi-year requests
for major facilities
will be considered.
Municipality of the County Cumberland
Grants Policy 15-11
January 2026
Page 15-11.5
Small Capital
This funding is intended to
support minor capital
projects, such as facility
improvements or upgrades.
For projects with a
total value of $20,000
or less.
Up to 1/2 of the
capital costs to a
maximum of $10,000.
1 application per
year, per
organization.
Applicants cannot
apply for the
Large capital project
in the same year.
Large
Operations &
Maintenance
To aid with the costs of
operating and maintaining
major indoor or outdoor
community facilities, such as
insurance, heating,
electricity, and general
upkeep
Council will approve
eligible organizations
for a 3-year annual
agreement of an
amount approved by
Council.
1 application per
year, per
organization.
Agreements will be
considered for
renegotiation upon
expiration.
The applicants will
provide their annual
financial statements.
Small
Operations &
Maintenance
To aid with the costs of
operating and maintaining
smaller indoor or outdoor
community facilities, such as
insurance, heating,
electricity, and general
upkeep.
20% of the facility's
total annual
operating costs
(excluding
programming), up to
a maximum of
$3,000.
1 application per
year, per
organization.
Community
Programs
To aid with the costs of
providing programs or
services for the benefit of the
community.
1/3 of the total
budget for a program
up to a maximum of
$4,000.
1 application per
year, per
organization.
Community
Events
To provide aid with costs
associated with hosting an
annual special event, festival,
or workshop.
1/3 of the total
budget for an event
up to a maximum of
$4,000.
1 application per
year, per
organization.
Note: For all categories, a portion of the applicant's contribution may be in the form of "in
kind", provided the value of the contribution is included in their budget.
Exceptions
In exceptional circumstances where the need is clear and urgent, Council may approve funding
exceeding the maximum percentages and limits described in the table above.
Municipality of the County Cumberland
Grants Policy 15-11
January 2026
Page 15-11.6
Deadlines
-
Annual Grants and Large Operating & Maintenance Grants will be negotiated with the
applicant.
-
District Grants are received on an ongoing basis until funds are depleted, beginning April
1, 2026.
-
The deadline for all other grants is March 31st, 2026.
Eligibility
As outlined in the Grants Policy 2015-11, only non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. All
applicants must be an organization within Cumberland County. Exceptions may be made for
organizations outside of Cumberland County that can demonstrate their projects benefit the
residents of the Municipality.
For capital grants, applicants may apply to either the large or the small program, but not both.
For all other grant programs, applicants may only apply for one project per grant category each
year. Each project must be on its own separate application form.
For capital construction, renovation, or major repair projects, applicants must own the
property, have a long-term lease to the property, or have an acceptable written agreement
with the landowner.
Churches and religious organizations are eligible to apply for assistance with facilities, projects
and programs which are readily available to the community at large. Projects relating to the
sanctuary and programs for the church's religious activities are ineligible.
Application Procedure & Checklist
Applications must be submitted using the applicable application form and must include all
additional materials listed on the checklist, which can be found on the last page of the
application.
Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to budget availability.
All applications must include:
- A complete application form and project budget template.
-
The applicant's most recent annual financial report (where applicable).
Capital program applications must also include:
- Proof of property ownership (normally a deed), or long-term lease or written
agreement.
- Applicants must demonstrate a competitive pricing process, such as quotes for any
goods or services to be purchased as part of their project.
Municipality of the County Cumberland
Grants Policy 15-11
January 2026
Page 15-11.7
Application Review & Approval Process
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Municipality (see contact information) to
discuss their application prior to submitting it.
Upon receipt of an application, applicants will receive acknowledgment via email within 7 days
and will be notified of any additional information that may be required for the application to be
considered. If you do not receive the notification within 7 days, please contact us.
The following is a table outlining who approves grants for each program:
Grant
Approver
Annual Grants
Council
District Grants
Administration (Councillor recommended)
Large Capital
Council
Small Capital
Council
Large Operations and Maintenance
Council
Small Operations and Maintenance
Administration
Community Programs
Administration
Community Events
Administration
Applicants will be notified of the status of their application once approved or denied.
Payment of Grants & Final Reports
If the application is approved, a cheque will be issued and mailed to the organization. Upon
completion of their project, all grant recipients must submit a Final Project Report Form.
Payment will be withheld from applicants who have outstanding final project report forms for
previously funded projects.
Contact Information
To submit your application and for inquiries, please contact:
Mail: Municipality of Cumberland
Attention: Peter McCracken
Upper Nappan Service Centre
1395 Blair Lake Road
Upper Nappan, NS B4H 3Y4
Email: grants@cumberlandcounty.ns.ca
Phone: 902-397-3431