Overview and Guidelines

The Municipal Wellness Grants Program funds projects that promote workplace wellness for municipal employees and elected officials, through new initiatives, for example: activities, events, projects, or enhancements to existing initiatives.

• ​Eligibility: These grants are only available to municipalities participating in the NSFM Group Benefits program. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact Rebecca Kolstee at . Your CAO must endorse your municipality’s proposal.

• Deadline: Applications will be reviewed in April. Complete the application form by March 31 at 4:30 pm. Submissions can be sent to Rebecca Kolstee.

Selection: Proposals will be assessed and approved by the Municipal Wellness Committee. The Project Lead for each proposal will be contacted directly and informed if they have been awarded funds or not.

Important Details

• Click here to access the Municipal Wellness Grant Application form​
• Click here to access our Frequently Asked Questions page

Essential Elements for Selection:

• Promotes one or more of the five dimensions of health:
  • physical,
  • mental/emotional,
  • workplace/workload management,
  • financial,
  • social.
• Includes a well-defined rationale, objectives, and clearly explained methodology with expected outcomes.
• Benefits a significant number of employees and elected officials directly or indirectly.
• Outlines an evaluation process that will be used to determine how well objectives have been met.
• Explains how the project benefits will continue beyond the grant period of one year, as applicable
• Contains an appropriate and justified budget, with an explanation of associated costs.

Guidelines for Approval

• Proposals are invited for projects within the following dollar amount guidelines:
  • Benefits to municipal employees - up to $3000
  • Benefits to municipal employees and elected officials - up to $4000
• The selection committee reserves the right to award an amount different from what was requested.
• This is not an equipment fund.
  • However, if the project merits equipment, that component may be considered for funding. Applicants must demonstrat that the equipment is unavailable at the municipality, and is instrumental to the project.
• If a proposal is for partial funding of a larger project, a clear distinction must be made for what specifically is to be funded from the Wellness Grants Program.
• Only one application per municipality can be submitted.

Project Procedures:

• The successful applicants will have one calendar year from the date the funds are released to spend the total fund amount and complete project activities.
• Updates on progress throughout the project timeline is required and  encouraged.
• A final report, including an expense breakdown, is required within one month following the project completion date as indicated in the proposal.
• Transfers of funds to other budget accounts is not permitted.
• Any unused funds must be transferred back to the Wellness Wellness Program account.
• The Association of Municipal Administrators, Nova Scotia, reserves the right to communicate information about funded projects and their outcomes internally or externally, as deemed appropriate.​

2022 Municipal Wellness Grant Projects 

Inquiries: Rebecca Kolstee, Manager of Wellness and Professional Development Programs or 902-240-1857

Note: Thanks are extended to the following organizations for consultation and use of their documents to guide the development of the Municipal Wellness grants program:
- Campus Mental Health Strategy grants program, University of Calgary
- Healthy Workplace grants program, former Capital District Health Authority