New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) - Community-Based Projects

• Maximum funding amount per project is $25,000, including taxes and shipping if applicable.
• Administrative costs are eligible up to a maximum of 25% of total project costs.
• Each location of an organization operating independently may receive up to $25,000 if governance and operations are distinct and justified.

• The applicant must be a not-for-profit organization, coalition, network, ad hoc committee, municipal government, research organization, educational institution, public health or social services institution, or an Indigenous organization.
• The project must be led by, or involve the active participation of, seniors in its planning and/or delivery.
• The project must address at least one of the program's objectives, such as promoting volunteering among seniors, engaging seniors in mentoring, raising awareness of elder abuse, or supporting social participation and inclusion of seniors.
• The project must provide direct benefit to seniors and their communities.
• All required supporting documents, including proof of operations and a letter of community support, must be included with the application.

Who is eligible?

• Not-for-profit organizations
• Coalitions, networks and ad hoc committees
• Municipal governments
• Research organizations and institutes
• Educational institutions (universities, colleges, CEGEPs, school boards/school districts)
• Public health and social services institutions
• Indigenous organizations (band councils, tribal councils, self-government entities)
• Organizations of persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirit (2SLGBTQIA+)

Who is not eligible

• For-profit businesses or commercial enterprises.
• Organizations seeking funding for projects not led by seniors or without volunteer-based activities.
• Entities primarily requesting funding for core operational tasks unrelated to seniors’ programming (such as human resources or accounting).
• Organizations proposing activities that are not directly tied to the needs or inclusion of seniors.
• Applicants seeking funding for projects involving medical interventions, therapy, or the purchase of personal medical equipment.

Eligible expenses

• Purchase of capital assets directly linked to eligible project activities and continuing use after the funding period.
• Staff wages and mandatory employment-related costs for personnel preparing, presenting, and delivering direct project activities.
• Professional fees for external professionals not already employed by the organization (such as instructors, presenters, external facilitators).
• Expenses related to event planning and implementation, including costs for event tickets or nominal membership fees related to the event.
• Shipping costs for equipment, materials, or supplies required for project activities.
• Honoraria to express gratitude or symbolize respect for contributions to project activities.
• Capital expenditures on facilities, such as renovations or repairs to facilities owned by the applicant that provide programming directly related to seniors (with a required minimum of one current quote for renovations).
• Administrative costs for project administration (up to 25% of project costs), such as office supplies, utilities, bookkeeping, and insurance.
• Transportation expenses for providing personal services to seniors (e.g., for appointments, home visits, or meal delivery directly related to the project).

Eligible geographic areas

• Businesses located throughout Canada
• Organizations operating in Canadian provinces and territories
• Organizations established in Quebec may be eligible, subject to the approval of the Government of Quebec
• Organizations active in rural or remote municipalities in Canada

• Demonstration of how the project meets program objectives and, if applicable, national priorities (10%).
• Active involvement of seniors in project planning, development, and/or implementation (10%).
• Clear demonstration of benefits to seniors and how their needs are addressed (15%).
• Benefits to the community, including demonstrated community support via a signed letter of support (15%).
• Cost effectiveness and justification for the use of funds (10%).
• Clarity and realism of project activities, timelines, and expected results (10%).
• Consideration for new recipients or organizations that have not received NHSP funding since before 2020 (10%).
• Targeting of vulnerable seniors’ populations, including specific demographic groups and seniors in rural or remote areas (20%).

• Letters of support for applications must be signed, provided in PDF format, and dated no earlier than July 1, 2025.
• Applications missing any required documentation, such as a letter of support, will be screened out and deemed ineligible.
• If the application involves renovations, at least one contractor quote dated within the prior year must be included.
• The system will generate a tracking number upon successful online application submission; if not received, the application was not submitted.