Promotional graphic for a Funding Navigation online session, featuring a process-flow icon and the text “Tips for community groups seeking funding.” The graphic includes the Victoria County and Island Food Network logos on a light background.

Funding navigation session for community groups

Securing funding can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to navigate grant opportunities, application requirements, and reporting expectations. That’s why Victoria County community development and the Island Food Network are teaming up to offer a Funding Navigation online session for local non-profit organizations and community groups.

Whether you’re applying for your first grant or looking to strengthen your organization’s approach to funding, this session will share practical tips and tools to help you along the way.

During the session, participants will learn about:

  • Finding funding opportunities that are the right fit for their projects and goals
  • Preparing stronger, more effective grant applications
  • Creating clear reporting processes that make grant management easier
  • Asking questions and sharing experiences during an interactive Q&A

This session is designed as a capacity-building opportunity for community organizations looking to grow their skills and confidence when it comes to funding and grant writing.

Event Details

Funding Navigation Online Session

📅 November 16

🕑 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

💻 Online via Microsoft Teams

Grab a notebook and click to join the conversation. We look forward to connecting with community organizations from across Victoria County and sharing strategies that can help turn great ideas into funded projects.

Related links

Portrait of a young person with long hair, outdoors in a green park setting. Graphic includes a “Victoria County 2026 Volunteer of the Year” logo and the name “Maya MacLeod.”

2026 Volunteer of the Year Recipient

Victoria County is pleased to announce Maya MacLeod as Volunteer of the Year for her outstanding commitment to youth, culture and community. Maya is a Grade 8 student at Baddeck Academy and a dance instructor at Sarah’s School of Music, where she mentors and encourages younger dancers while helping preserve and promote Cape Breton’s rich cultural traditions. She also volunteers with the Cape Breton Fiddlers Association and through her school band and choir programs, coaches soccer and is actively involved in Victoria County’s 4-H Club. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition Maya!  

Victoria County’s Community Development Coordinator, Yvette Rogers, recently sat down with Maya and Sarah Doran, who nominated her for the award, to ask a few questions about the impact that volunteers like Maya have on our communities.

A wooden sign marks a community garden, surrounded by greenery and flowering shrubs with clusters of small white blossoms in the foreground. The sign features a colorful logo with vegetables arranged in a circular pattern on the left and the words “COMMUNITY garden” with a wheelbarrow graphic on the right. Beneath the main title, the slogan reads, “Where Good Things Grow.” Trees and foliage fill the background, creating a natural outdoor setting. A green banner overlaid at the bottom of the image reads “2026 Community Garden Season.”

Baddeck Community Garden: 2026 Season

Victoria County is now accepting applications from residents and community groups interested in gardening at the Baddeck Community Garden for the 2026 season. 

The community garden offers a shared space for gardeners to grow vegetables, flowers and other plants while connecting with others in the community. Garden plots are open to individuals, families and community organizations. 

Applications must be submitted by May 20, 2026.  

If more applications are received than plots available, gardeners will be selected through a random draw. Payment is not required until you are notified that you have been selected.  

Plots are expected to be ready for planting in June. 

How to Apply  

Applications are available: 

  • At the Municipal Administration Building, 495 Chebucto Street, Baddeck  

Questions 

For more information, contact Steff MacLeod: 
Email: steff.macleod@victoriacounty.ca 
Phone: 902-295-3659 

Read the Baddeck Community Garden Application/Rules and Responsibilities.  

Promotional graphic with light background reading “Get Help Making Your Community Building More Efficient,” featuring the green Navigate Energy logo, and text announcing an online information session on May 11th from 2–3:30 p.m.

Getting Help to Reduce Community Building Energy Costs

Do you need some support reducing your energy costs? Victoria County is investigating options to help you out!

Navigate Energy is an organization that helps community groups like yours make their spaces more efficient. They help to find out where energy is lost in your building, and then locate and apply for the funding to do the required upgrades. They manage the whole process from applying for grants and rebates to coordinating contractors, while all the decision making stays with your community group.

Navigate Energy will be providing an online information session to share more about what they do, and how they have helped other communities in Nova Scotia. Tune-in on Monday, May 11, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. to learn if they can help you with your clean energy upgrades for projects like:

  • Lighting & Heat Pumps
  • Building Envelope & EV Chargers
  • Solar PV & Appliances

Community Information Session with Navigate Energy

Date: May 11, 2026

Time: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Join on Microsoft Teams

If you have questions or need assistance registering, please contact Yvette Rogers, Community Development Coordinator, at Yvette.Rogers@VictoriaCounty.ca or (902)295-8135.

A promotional graphic for Cabot Trail 100 Community Engagement Sessions. The text reads: “Help Shape the 100th Year Commemoration. April 13–27, 2026.” Additional text invites people to share perspectives and help define the long‑term legacy of the Cabot Trail’s 100th anniversary in 2032, with a website link at the bottom. The background image shows a winding road through lush green hills along a rugged coastline with blue ocean water.

Cabot Trail 100: Community Engagement Sessions

Cabot Trail 100 is inviting community members to help shape how the 100th anniversary is marked by hosting a series of local engagement sessions taking place in April 2026.

At each session, community members will be invited to share ideas, stories, and perspectives to help shape how this milestone is celebrated. The sessions are open to all and are designed to gather community input in a respectful and inclusive way. They will follow a consistent two-hour format that encourages open and respectful dialogue.

In Victoria County, community engagement sessions are taking place in Wagmatcook (April 20), Baddeck (April 22), Bay St. Lawrence & Ingonish (April 23), and St. Ann’s (April 27).

For more information, or to RSVP, please visit: www.CabotTrail100.com

If you are unable to attend in person, a digital survey option will be available to share your feedback.

A schedule poster titled “Cabot Trail 100 – Community Engagement Sessions” with the headline “Help Shape the 100th Year Commemoration.” The poster lists meeting dates, times, and locations from April 13 to April 27, 2026, including Pleasant Bay, Chéticamp, Margaree, Wagmatcook, Eskasoni, Membertou, Baddeck, Bay St. Lawrence, Ingonish, St. Ann’s, and We’koqma’q. A stylized map of the Cabot Trail region appears in the center. The poster includes a link to www.cabottrail100.com for information and registration.

Promotional graphic announcing “Volunteer of the Year” for Victoria County, 2026. A circular badge in the center reads “Victoria County – Naturally Connected – 2026,” surrounded by the words “Volunteer of the Year.” The background is teal-blue with the categories “Youth,” “Individual,” and “Group” placed around the badge. Text at the bottom states, “Nominations are open!”

Victoria County Now Accepting Nominations for 2026 Volunteer of the Year 

Victoria County is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award, recognizing the individuals and groups who make a lasting difference in communities across the County. 

Residents are encouraged to nominate a youth, individual or community group who demonstrates exceptional commitment to volunteerism by April 27, 2026. 

Volunteers play a vital role in shaping strong, connected communities. Whether it’s organizing events, supporting neighbours, leading community initiatives or quietly helping behind the scenes, their contributions often go unrecognized. This award is an opportunity to formally acknowledge that impact. 

“Volunteers are the backbone of our communities,” said Warden Jackie Organ. “This program is a way to recognize their dedication and ensure their efforts are celebrated.” 

One nominee will be selected as Victoria County’s Volunteer of the Year and will: 

  • Receive a $500 honorarium 
  • Be recognized on Victoria County’s website, social media and in News & Views 
  • Have the option to attend the Provincial Volunteer Awards ceremony 

Nominations are open in three categories: 

  • Youth (ages 13–24) 
  • Individual 
  • Community Group 

All nominees must volunteer within the Municipality of the County of Victoria. 

How to Nominate 

Nominations can be submitted online or by completing a printed form. Paper copies are available at the Municipal Administration Building in Baddeck or by request. 

Residents are encouraged to take a few minutes to recognize someone who is making a difference.  

Deadline for nominations: April 27, 2026 

For more information or assistance with submitting a nomination, contact: 
Yvette Rogers, Community Development Coordinator 
yvette.rogers@victoriacounty.ca 
902-295-8135 

Submit your nomination

8 Tips for Navigating Funding Applications 

Staff from the Municipality of Victoria County and Nova Scotia Department of Communities Culture, Tourism and Heritage hosted information sessions in Baddeck and Neil’s Harbour this month with the goal of helping community groups navigate funding opportunities.   

At each session, attendees were given an overview of the grant program offered and a presentation on the partnership opportunities from Tourism Nova Scotia. They also met with representatives from the province during breakout sessions for direct conversation with program officers.  

An important part of the discussion included tips to keep in mind when applying for funding which we will share here.  

WHERE TO START 

When considering your funding needs it is important to first identify a category for your project or idea:  

  • Capital: building, repairing, physical upgrades, equipment purchases etc. 
  • Project or Program: workshop(s), event(s), community engagement etc. 
  • Operational: ongoing costs, utilities, staffing, insurance etc. 

Next identify a label that fits best:  

  • Sport and Recreation 
  • Arts 
  • Heritage 
  • Community Building  

This helps to describe your project and how to best pair your needs with the funding programs available.  

8 GRANT FUNDING APPLICATION TIPS 

When reviewing a grant program to prepare for an application these are important tips: 

  1. Review all program guidelines carefully. Look at eligibility criteria and expectations from the funder.  
  2. Find other funding partners (other levels of government, sponsors, etc.)  
  3. Be mindful of deadlines (if you are applying for more than one fund, make sure the timeline dovetails well together).  
  4. Use the grant program guidelines and their objectives to build your application. Explain how your project helps the funding program meet its objectives.  
  5. Remember there may be a panel reviewing your application who are unfamiliar with your organization, so explain yourself well and provide clear examples of relevant work.  
  6. Stay current with reporting requirements from previous grants and pay attention to reporting requirements for applications you plan to submit, so you can plan to measure impact accordingly.  
  7. Start early because some things take time like getting contractor quotes or support letters. Giving yourself adequate time to prepare a strong application gives you a better chance at grant approvals.  
  8. This is the most important tip! Reach out to your friendly neighbourhood program officer for more information and to discuss your application before you submit it.  The program officer will confirm your eligibility and that you are including key information for a strong application. This will help save time in the long run. Don’t hesitate to call or email a program officer, they are there to help. Program officer information can be found on grant guidelines or application forms.  

              RESOURCES  

              Here are some helpful links for navigating funding: 

              QUESTIONS 

              Any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Community Development Coordinator Yvette Rogers Yvette.Rogers@Victoriacounty.ca 

              Related Links 
              Previous Sessions: How to navigate funding opportunities 
              Community Development 

              Help Shape a More Inclusive Victoria County: Complete the IDEA Community Survey

              Victoria County has set out to make our region a more welcoming, inclusive and accessible place for everyone, and your voice matters.

              We’ve launched our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) engagement project page to listen, learn and act based on the lived experiences of our community members. Whether you face challenges or are simply passionate about positive change, we want to hear from you.

              Visit our IDEA engagement page to take a short survey.

              Why should you take part?
              Your feedback will help shape the future of Victoria County, its programs, services, public spaces and community supports. When more voices join in, we can better identify barriers, see where things are working and build a stronger, fairer community together.

              How to get involved:
              Simply visit the engagement page and open the survey, or another engagement tool that works for you. It takes just a few minutes and could make a big difference.

              Upcoming Sessions: How to navigate funding opportunities

              Victoria County and the Nova Scotia Department of Communities Culture Tourism and Heritage is hosting information sessions focused on funding. These events aim to address some common challenges and identify opportunities.

              Two sessions are being held in Victoria County:

              Session 1 – Baddeck

              Session 2 – Neil’s Harbour

              What You’ll Learn

              The sessions will cover the most common questions community volunteers have when preparing funding applications:

              • What funding programs are currently available?
              • What are the key deadlines?
              • Is our project eligible for support?
              • Which funding path makes the most sense for us?

              These sessions will:

              • Provide an overview of funding programs and eligibility requirements
              • Help organizations align their goals with the right funding opportunities, from facility upgrades to community events
              • Share practical tips and best practices for grant writing

              All community groups and volunteers are welcome
              Join us to learn how to strengthen your applications and make the most of available funding programs.

              For more information, please contact:

              Yvette Rogers

              Community Development Coordinator

              Phone: 902-295-8135

              Graphic for Victoria County’s Washroom Fund Pilot Project offering funding for public washroom access.

              Victoria County Launches Pilot Funding Program for Public Washrooms  

              Victoria County has introduced a new pilot funding program to support businesses and organizations that provide washrooms for public use within the municipality.  

              This pilot funding project offers up to $1,000 per site or 50% of eligible expenses, whichever is less. 

              Eligible expenses include:  

              • Cleaning supplies 
              • Routine general maintenance 

              The funding is on a first come, first served basis or until all the funds are allocated.  

              Applications will be accepted from August 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.  

              To apply, businesses and organizations must complete the Washroom Fund 2025 Pilot Application Form and submit it by email to yvette.rogers@victoriacounty.ca.  

              All applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified if they are accepted.  

              This pilot project aims to ensure that residents and visitors have greater access to well-maintained washroom facilities throughout the County. 

              Terms and conditions are outlined in the application form.