Community Catalyst Grant

PEI municipalities can apply for up to $5000 of grant funding for initiatives that positively influence well-being, foster community connectedness, and promote healthy and resilient people and communities. All applications must be submitted by September 2, 2022.

What is the Community Catalyst Grant?

The PEI Wellness Grant Program’s Community Catalyst Grant provides an opportunity for Island municipalities to build local capacity and mobilize around wellness efforts in their communities. The intention of the Community Catalyst Grant is to support community-led health and wellness initiatives that lead to outcomes such as: new knowledge or resources; asset-mapping and skill-building; and increased capacity for sustainable action on healthy living within communities. 

Possible project outcomes include:

• Project plan or strategy
• Knowledge-building/information sharing 
• Programs, activities, and services*
• Policy development at municipal or organizational level

*At least one of the priority areas of action listed in the criteria below must be a primary focus, outcome, or aim of any proposed program, activity, and service. 

What projects will be considered for funding? 

Project proposals must meet the following criteria: 

1. Proposals for the Community Catalyst Grant should support community capacity-building and community-led solutions to an identified need in one of the following areas: mental wellness, healthy eating, physical activity, responsible alcohol use and tobacco reduction. 

2. Additionally, funding will be awarded based on evidence of (at least one of) the following priority areas: 

1. Organizational capacity-building and knowledge sharing/education to strengthen local groups, communities, and non-profits engaged in health promotion programming.
2.  Removing barriers to community participation and healthy living for populations susceptible to health inequities (e.g., low-income families, newcomers, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, etc.)
3. Enhancing social connectedness and social supports through bringing community members together.

Notes:  All projects funded through the Community Catalyst Grant Program must adhere to the directives of PEI’s Chief Public Health Office regarding COVID-19 (approved projects must be revised if recommendations change). Applicants are responsible for ensuring that activities comply with the directives of the Chief Public Health Office.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Mi’kmaq First Nations or other Indigenous communities
• Municipalities

Notes:

• Community groups/organizations are encouraged to partner with municipalities on an application; however, the municipality must be the project lead and principal applicant.

• Individuals are not eligible to apply.

• Eligibility is restricted to municipalities and partner organizations within Prince Edward Island.

• Applicants can submit multiple applications for different projects; however, applicants will not receive funding for more than one project for the Community Catalyst Grant.

• Proposed projects must align with the Wellness Grant Program funding priorities and meet eligibility requirements of the Community Catalyst Grant.

What are eligible expenses?

Costs associated with the implementation of the approved project following the notification of approval.

Grant funds may cover the following eligible expenses:

• Training
• Transportation (within PEI)
• Materials for program, events, training etc.
• Research activities (e.g., community needs assessments)
• Professional fees (e.g., consultants, trainers, expertise not available in the community, etc.)
• Facility rentals

What are ineligible expenses?

• Grant funds will not cover existing salaries or wages; organizational overhead fees; capital or infrastructure costs; prizes and contests; provincial branding activities, scholarships and/or bursaries; individual conference attendance costs, including registration; out of province travel and accommodations, etc.
• Grant funds will not be awarded for one-time events or activities that do not meet the above criteria (e.g., fundraising or awareness-raising events, expos, conferences, children’s camps, etc.)
• Expenditures made prior to application approval are not eligible for reimbursement.

What does the application process look like? 

Applicants must submit their application online. Instructions and details for the online application can be found in the next section. 

All applications must be submitted by September 2, 2022.

All grant funds awarded must be spent by March 6, 2023 and a final project wrap-up must be submitted by March 24, 2023.

Funds will be allocated based on availability. Successful applicants will be contacted following the grant deadline(s) and will be assigned a Health Promoter to provide ongoing project support.

Approved projects will be required to sign a small funding agreement before receiving funds. 

What do I need to complete the online form?

Please note: You must complete the online form in one sitting. You cannot save your work and return to finish it later. You are advised to complete the project plan (described below) before opening the online form so you can either upload the completed document or copy and paste prepared text into the text field provided for each section.

You will be asked to provide:

• Contact information for the business or organization 
• Type of organization
• Detailed project information including:
  •  Project title
  • Expected start and end dates
  • Estimated total cost of project and grant amount requested
  • Region the project will take place, including specific community and/or settings
  • Health behaviour being addressed
  • Priority area for action being addressed
  • Detailed plan for proposed project using the Project Plan Template. The template can be filled out in advance to upload, or you can have questions prepared to enter into the online form. The questions are as follows:
    • What is your proposed project?
    • Who will be impacted by this project and how many people do you expect to reach?
    • Why is this project needed and how will it create healthier people and communities in PEI?
    • What do you anticipate the impact of the project will be on your community or population?
    • How do you plan to promote this project in your community?
    • List any other organizations or partners that will be involved in the implementation of your project and their anticipated contribution

* Budget of all anticipated project expenses (fields provided to upload or enter itemized text; download the budget template)

Additional background information on health promotion concepts and grant application writing resources can be found here. 

Who can I contact for more information?

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Health Promotion Unit if they have any further questions about this funding opportunity. 

Email: livewellpei@ihis.org

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram (@LiveWellPEI) for future grant announcements and health promotion information.