New Horizons for Seniors Program Application Guidelines

Tips for developing a project

While these tips will not guarantee a New Horizons for Seniors grant, they will help you better understand the program's goals and funding criteria as you plan your project.

Some criteria are mandatory and some are not. You should still strive to include as many of the following as possible. (Remember to review the eligibility criteria before completing your application.)

• Align your work with the program goals. Your project must reflect at least one of the program's two main objectives, which are:
  
  
  • to encourage seniors to contribute their skills, experience and wisdom in support of social wellbeing in their communities; and
  • to promote the ongoing involvement of seniors in their communities to reduce their risk of social isolation.
    
    
• Address one of your province's or territory's needs. Your project must reflect at least one of the funding priorities identified for your province or territory for each Call for Applications. The priorities are developed in collaboration with your province's or territory's review committee. Committee members include people active in seniors' issues who help set priorities they feel represent your region's needs.
  
  
• Make sure that seniors are taking a leadership role in your project. Seniors must be involved in your project's development and implementation; they should not only be participants, but play a leadership role in the project.
  
  
• Think of a project that speaks directly to your community. It must be oriented toward a local community and your activities must benefit that community. The most valued projects are often those that not only touch seniors, but also children, youth, persons with disabilities and others in your community who are in need. New Horizons for Seniors recognizes that community issues are often best addressed by multiple groups working in partnership.
  
  
• Recognize that volunteers are vital for a successful project. The program encourages and recognizes the value of volunteering both by seniors and other community members.
  
  
• Be original. Be innovative. Bring forward new, interesting ways to involve seniors and their communities while promoting the main program objectives and your province or territory's priorities.
  
  
• Work with others in your community to carry out the project. Partnerships secured by your organization help strengthen a project. When assessing applications, New Horizons for Seniors looks for established partnerships and cooperation with other community-based organizations and sponsors.
  
  
• Highlight the value of your proposal. The program can only consider projects that introduce new activities to your organization or your community.
  
  
• Think about the long term. If you foresee project activities carrying on after New Horizons for Seniors funding, explain how you expect this to happen.
  
  
• Find ways to stretch your dollar. The most valued applications show cost-effective administration of projects and a strong reach in the community.
  
  
• Relate budget items to specific projects activities.
  
  
• Stay within funding limits. The maximum amount available is $25,000. Any applications above that amount will not be considered. The other funding maximums are:
  
  
  • $10,000 for capital costs, and
    
    
  • 25 percent of the total budget for administrative costs.
    
    
• Read the application guidelines carefully. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
  
  

If you would like to discuss a project idea with us before submitting an application, contact us at 1 800 277-9914. We will arrange for a regional representative from your province or territory to call you back.

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Approved Projects 2004-2005
Examples of funded projects
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