The Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation strives to maintain a balance between its accountability requirements and ensuring that the opportunities to receive funding are not out of reach for a small organization.  The Foundation staff will assist you where possible with preparing your grant application, but they will not write it for you.  They will also try to match you up with other resources in your community that may be helpful to you.

The Foundation is currently in the process of having the application forms and formats evaluated.  Be sure to check the website to ensure that you have the most up-to-date version of the application.

Since its inception, the Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation has funded diverse projects in communities across the province.  Projects supported have been both big and small, touching all aspects of problem gambling – from research at our province's universities to organizations helping people in everyday settings.

Examples of the kind of projects funded by the Foundation include: helping organizations buy new educational resources; supporting research to study the link between gambling and alcohol abuse; and helping to raise awareness with seniors and youth who are struggling with the affects of gambling.  For more in-depth information, go to the Current and Past projects section of the website and/or read our Annual Reports.

Do you fund more research projects or community projects?

The percentage of funding that has gone to research and community projects has been fairly consistent over the years.  Approximately one-third of all monies awarded have gone to research, the remaining two-thirds has gone to community projects in the areas of prevention, education, treatment and remedial intervention.

What kind of help does the Foundation provide to me when I have an idea but don't know where to take it from here?

The Foundation staff can assist you in determining the best fit for your idea and the level of funding that you should be applying for.  The Foundation will also try to match you up with other resources in your community that may be helpful to you.  Contact the office and staff will respond quickly to your inquiry.

How do I apply?

After determining the level and type of funding that you will be applying for, you can get the application information one of two ways: by downloading the correct application form from this website; or, by contacting the Foundation office which will send you an electronic copy of the application.  If you do not have email access, contact the Foundation office – they will send you a disk with the requested information on it.

Different types of funding have different due dates for applications.  Check the application deadlines on the website, or contact the Foundation office.

What is the Foundation's relationship to government?

The Province of Nova Scotia created the Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation in 1998 through an act of legislation.  The Foundation is an arms-length entity, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.  The Foundation is accountable to the province through the Minister of the Department of Health Promotion and Protection.

Where does the Foundation's money come from?

The Foundation is funded by a portion of video lottery terminal (VLT) revenues.   The portion of the VLT revenues contributed constitutes one percent of VLT retailer commissions in Nova Scotia.  This amount is matched by the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.