Wellness Funds
the spring 2024 APPLICATION PROCESS IS NOW closed
Stay Tuned for the 2025 Dates!
Wellness Funds are for non-profit groups working to improve health in their communities and must address the health priorities identified by the Community Health Boards (CHBs) in their current community health plan. Wellness Funds support a health promotion or population health based approach to wellness. This model seeks to maintain and improve the health of people and the communities in which they live through partnerships, and by addressing those aspects of a person’s life that determine their health.
Wellness Funds are intended to support the implementation of the CHB Community Health Plan recommendations by funding local community projects that use a population health approach, addressing the Social Determinants of Health, such as income, education, social supports, early childhood development, etc. To see the most recent CHB Community Health Plans, click here.
For a copy of our Guidelines & FAQ in English click here and in French click here and for a copy of our previous application form in English click here and French click here.
NOTE: To see lists of additional grant opportunities from a variety of organizations, see the links below:
Previously Funded Projects:
Projects funded in 2023/2024 process:
Western Zone Eastern Zone Central Zone Northern Zone
See below for articles on how Wellness Funds have been used in community:
· People Power: NS strong communities making province healthier one project at a time.
Community residents of all ages come together to build Washer Toss boxes in Londonderry.
Washer Toss in Londonderry
What project can multiple generations build and then have fun using all year round?
This was a challenge accepted and completed by the Londonderry Community Council last year. The community group wanted a fun physical activity that that folks of all ages and abilities could play. They decided upon washer toss (a popular game in the Maritimes) and began to make it a reality. The group applied to the Along the Shore Community Health Board for a Wellness Fund Grant. The community health board saw how an activity like this could improve health and support an active lifestyle. It could provide the place and time for this fun and social activity, so they provided the funds requested for the project.
The day of the “build” brought a variety of residents of all ages and of all skills together!
The planning team also ensured that this activity could happen indoors in the winter by purchasing protective surfaces for the walls and floor of the community centre. Now the community has a fun and rewarding activity that is offered in their own community. Washer toss anyone?
Londonderry Playforest
Playing Along
Whether you are 3 or 93, finding a place to play is important! Play is important to both these ages for similar reasons of development…besides being fun! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (2007), play “allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.” But just because you are an adult, doesn’t mean you should stop developing these traits! One definition of play is to “truly engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.” Hopefully, we can embrace play as a lifelong activity and find enjoyment in multiple, varied activities.
Residents of the Along the Shore area are fortunate to have many opportunities to play. The local Along the Shore Community Health Board (CHB) has helped to create the Londonderry Playforest.