The Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation (NSGF) is a not-for-profit, arms-length government organization that encourages and supports an independent response to problem gambling in Nova Scotia. This is accomplished, in part, by providing funding to community groups and researchers to help address problem gambling. In addition to funding community and research grants, the NSGF monitors local, national, and international gambling-related developments and utilizes multi-level communications strategies to inform and engage Nova Scotians in balanced dialogue about gambling issues.
The NSGF is guided by four strategic priorities:
- Building Capacity to Make a Difference
- Informing Balanced Dialogue on Gambling Problems
- Mitigating or Reducing the Undesirable Effects of Gambling
- Raising Awareness of Gambling as a Public Health Issue
The NSGF operates through a volunteer Board of Directors.
Board members are appointed by, and accountable to, the Minister of the Department of Health Promotion and Protection for a period that generally lasts for three years.
The NSGF has a professional staff that supports the Board of Directors by:
- Facilitating ongoing stakeholder input
- Participating in national problem gambling research initiatives
- Collaborating with other government and non-government organizations
- Developing and delivering province-wide, capacity-building programs
- Linking community organizations to researchers, addiction services and other potential partners
- Monitoring, encouraging and providing balanced dialogue across the province
- Maintaining a high level of visibility for the Foundation
- Outreach activities to discuss the work of the Foundation
- Promoting the call for grant submissions
- Working with applicants to strengthen proposed initiatives to ensure maximum impact in their communities
- Administering a peer review process of all project submissions
- Notifying successful grant applicants and administering grant funding
- Supporting grant recipients in the promotion of their projects
- Ensuring outcome and reporting requirements are met
