疗愈之路
Community collaboration in grief, bereavement, and emotional wellness for all Nova Scotians.
Healing Pathways is a program designed to support grief, bereavement, and emotional wellness across Nova Scotia. The program includes two complementary components: Healing Pathways Community Funding Grants, which provide financial support to community-based organizations delivering grief and emotional wellness initiatives, and Healing Pathways-Grieving Well™ which focuses on building shared understanding, resources, and education to strengthen grief support across the province.
This work responds directly to the Mass Casualty Commission’s call for sustained community-based grief supports following the April 2020 event.
Funding Committed to Date: $1,655,000
Healing Pathways Community Funding Grants
Launched in 2024, Healing Pathways Community Funding Grants has invested in dozens of community-led initiatives supporting grief, bereavement, and emotional wellness across Nova Scotia. The program has distributed more than $1,655,000 to 68 projects, supporting approaches ranging from peer support and cultural healing to workshops and arts-based therapies.
The Healing Pathways Community Funding Grant Program provides up to $50,000 per project to support community-led initiatives focused on grief, bereavement, and emotional wellness. Applications are accepted once annually through a single call for proposals.
Healing Pathways- Community Funding
Is your organization eligible to apply for a grant?
To apply, you must be a registered not-for-profit organization or charity based in Nova Scotia.
Partnerships are encouraged between not-for-profits/charities and community groups, individuals, schools, health organizations, or workplaces. Anyone with a strong idea can partner with a not-for-profit or charity to submit an application.
The non-profit or charity must be the lead applicant and have a formal partnership agreement in place before applying.
Please review the Community Funding Guidelines for more information.
Exclusions
Ineligible project expenses:
- Funding to cover budget deficits
- Loan/Capital loan financing
- Costs covered by other funding, including other government funding
- Entertainment fees, alcohol, sponsorships, contests, gifts and souvenirs
- Interest expenses incurred on operating loans
- Legal challenges, costs, and settlements
- Mortgage financing unless specifically related to the project
- Administrative costs (beyond the direct costs associated with the project)
- Professional organization fees paid on behalf of staff for membership in professional organizations
- Organizations that received funding through a previous submission are not eligible to apply for the same project again in subsequent rounds.
Please review the Community Funding Guidelines (English & French) for more information.
Selection Process
1
Committee review
The Community-funding Committee evaluates and scores all applications that have moved through the process. The committee will score applications based on: • Response to identified community needs • Enduring impact • Public benefit • Uniqueness and innovation.
2
Final review
3
Notification
All successful applicants will be notified by email. Funds will be distributed within 30 days of notification. All unspent funds over $50 must be returned by NSHPCA when submitting a final report. Please review the Community Funding Guidelines for more information
What Initiatives/Projects Are Eligible?
Applicants are encouraged to develop projects or initiatives that have a clear focus on supporting those that are experiencing grief, loss, and bereavement, and which aims to restore them to emotional well-being.
A list of previously funded projects and organizations is available for review here.
Examples of community-level projects or initiatives might include, but are not limited to:
- Training in supportive grief and loss
- Community events
- Development of digital assets and online information resources
- After-school programs
- Family-centred activities
- Art therapy and equipment
- Creation of physical spaces (indoor/outdoor)
- Individual and group programs for grief and bereavement support, mindfulness, emotional well-being
- Grief navigation services
- Lecture series with experts on grief, loss, bereavement or positive mental outlook
- Library resources and/or acquisition of grief and bereavement tools
- Music therapy equipment and tools
- Outdoor activities aimed to restore emotional health
- Play therapy and equipment
- Pet therapy services
- Peer outreach programs
- Supportive exercise programs
- Projects and initiatives may focus on supporting any or all of
- Those directly or indirectly affected by the Mass Casualty event of April 2020, such as:
- Young children
- School-age children
- Youth
- Adults
- Parents and families
- Seniors
- First responders
- People with disabilities
- Diverse cultural communities
- Newcomers
- Others
For a full list of eligible initiatives that qualify for funding, please review the Community Funding Guidelines.
Questions? Contact Beth Lynch at funding@nshpca.ca / tel: (782) 321.9181
If a printable PDF Application Form is needed please email us at: funding@nshpca.ca.
Grieving Well™
Online Directory
Healing Pathways-Grieving Well™ is an online directory designed to support Nova Scotians as they navigate grief and emotional wellness.
Whether experiencing personal loss or supporting someone who is grieving, this directory provides accessible information, practical tools, and community-based supports to help individuals at every stage of their journey.
Developed by the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association, Healing Pathways – Grieving Well connects users to trusted resources, including grief education, support services, and peer communities. While the directory will expand province-wide in 2025, its initial focus is on resources available in Cumberland, Colchester, and East Hants.
Grief is a deeply personal experience, but no one has to navigate it alone. Healing Pathways – Grieving Well helps individuals find the support they need, when they need it.
Provincial Grant Recipients
Tajikeimɨk Mi'kmaw Health and Wellness ($50,000.00)
The Healing Through Loss Framework will be co-developed with all 13 Mi’kmaw communities through an advisory circle of Elders and community members, sharing teachings on grief, loss, and palliative care to guide culturally grounded support.
Bass River Fire Brigade ($5,950.00)
Bass River Fire Brigade will lead a wellness program for rural first responders, offering trauma-informed training on stress, grief, and resilience. Supporting four departments, it builds connection, peer support, and long-term mental wellbeing.
West Colchester Medical Society ($8,659.00)
“Supporting Young Minds” helps children and caregivers build resilience and manage emotions through family learning, nature experiences, and community activities—providing meaningful connection, immediate support, and lasting tools for wellbeing.
Music In Communities ($2,736.60)
This one-day workshop trains music therapists in grief literacy, legacy projects, and recording techniques for end-of-life and anticipatory grief. Held in Kings County and led by Sarah McInnis, it builds skills to better support clients and families.
Kemptown and Area Recreation Association ($11,949.00)
Kemptown Recreation Association will host 14 Music Circle workshops where participants create music, share stories, and explore grief in a supportive setting. Free and inclusive, sessions offer materials, translation, transportation, and livestream access.
Nova Scotia Community Living Organizations ($35,115.87)
NSCLO, with All About Inclusion, will create accessible grief and end-of-life resources for adults with IDD, families, and staff. Co-designed with lived experience, the project includes training and tools to improve support, wellbeing, and dignity.