Apply for Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Community Funding (Canada)

Deadline: 27-Oct-2026

The Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Community Funding Program is inviting registered non-profit and charitable organizations in Nova Scotia to apply for community-led initiatives advancing equity, anti-racism, inclusion, organizational capacity, and community safety. Three funding streams offer grants of up to $40,000 through the Community Network Grant, $25,000 through the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Impact Grant, and $5,000 through the Faith-Based Community Safety Grant pilot.

About the Community Funding Program

The Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Community Funding Program is an initiative of the Government of Nova Scotia. It supports community organizations addressing systemic hate, racism, discrimination, inequity, exclusion, and safety concerns throughout the province. The program recognizes that community-led organizations have valuable knowledge, lived experience, and trusted relationships that enable them to identify barriers and develop locally appropriate solutions. Purpose of the Program

The program aims to:

- Advance equity and anti-racism. - Address systemic racism and discrimination. - Respond to hate and exclusion. - Strengthen community-led organizations. - Promote inclusion and belonging. - Improve the safety and wellbeing of underserved communities. - Support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. - Assist faith communities affected by hate-motivated incidents. - Build sustainable organizational capacity. - Support advocacy, research, and policy development. - Encourage innovative community-led solutions. - Promote systemic and institutional change. Available Funding Streams Organizations may apply through three streams: - Community Network Grant. - 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Impact Grant. - Faith-Based Community Safety Grant pilot. Organizations may apply to all streams that align with their mandate and proposed activities. Each application should clearly respond to the distinct purpose and eligibility requirements of the selected stream. Community Network Grant The Community Network Grant supports projects that advance equity and anti-racism while addressing systemic hate, discrimination, and exclusion.

Funding information includes:

- Maximum grant: $40,000 per organization.

- Total 2026–27 allocation: $360,000.

This stream may support initiatives involving: - Anti-racism education. - Public awareness. - Community engagement. - Advocacy. - Research. - Policy development. - Capacity building. - Community support. - Systemic-change initiatives. - Innovative responses to hate and discrimination. Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed project will address an identified barrier or inequity within Nova Scotia. 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Impact Grant The 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Impact Grant strengthens organizations serving Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other gender- and sexually diverse communities.

Funding information includes:

- Maximum grant: $25,000 per organization.

- Total 2026–27 allocation: $135,000.

This stream focuses on organizational capacity and sustainability.

Potential initiatives may include:

- Organizational planning. - Governance development. - Volunteer or staff training. - Community outreach. - Resource development. - Partnership building. - Leadership development. - Improved service delivery. - Community-engagement systems. - Operational capacity. - Sustainability planning. - Inclusive program development. Applicants should explain how the funding will strengthen their ability to serve 2SLGBTQIA+ communities over time. Faith-Based Community Safety Grant Pilot The Faith-Based Community Safety Grant is a pilot funding stream supporting faith communities affected by hate-motivated incidents.

Funding information includes:

- Maximum grant: $5,000 per organization.

- Total 2026–27 allocation: $100,000.

The stream assists eligible faith-based organizations in improving safety and security.

Potential initiatives may include:

- Safety assessments. - Security planning. - Safety equipment. - Facility-security improvements. - Emergency-preparedness activities. - Staff or volunteer safety training. - Community safety protocols. - Incident-response planning. - Security-related consultations. - Other eligible measures responding to hate-motivated risks. Applicants should connect the requested safety measure to an identified risk, concern, or hate-motivated incident. Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must be:

- Registered non-profit organizations; or - Registered charitable organizations.

Organizations must also:

- Operate in Nova Scotia. - Have a primary mandate or sustained focus aligned with the selected stream. - Demonstrate relevant experience or community relationships. - Propose activities consistent with the purpose of the funding. - Have the capacity to manage and report on public funds. - Meet any stream-specific requirements. An organization may apply to more than one stream if its mandate and proposed activities align with each stream. Mandate and Sustained-Focus Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate either:

- A primary organizational mandate related to the funding stream; or - A sustained history of work aligned with the funding stream.

Evidence may include:

- Governing documents. - Mission and vision statements. - Strategic plans. - Previous projects. - Annual reports. - Community partnerships. - Service-delivery records. - Advocacy experience. - Research or policy work. - Testimonials from participating communities. Applicants should provide specific examples rather than relying only on broad statements about inclusion. Eligible Communities Depending on the selected stream, supported work may benefit: - Racialized communities. - African Nova Scotian communities. - Indigenous communities. - Newcomers, immigrants, and refugees. - Religious or faith communities. - 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. - People experiencing multiple forms of discrimination. - Other underrepresented or underserved groups. Applicants should define the