# Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund

From Government of Nova Scotia. Listed on naturefunding.org, a free directory of nature restoration and conservation funding where every fact is read from the funder’s own page or the organisation that runs the programme for it.

- Status, as of 3 November 2026: No call open now. The last call we found closed on 23 July 2026; check the funder’s page for the next round.
- How to apply: Apply directly
- Amount: $75,000 to $1,000,000 CAD (Covers 60-80% of eligible project costs)
- Who can apply: NGOs, Indigenous organisations, Government bodies and Research institutions
- Where: Nova Scotia: Canada
- Rounds: Fixed rounds with deadlines
- Co-funding required: Yes
- Restoration approach (our classification): Wetlands, Coasts and oceans, Rivers and lakes and Community conservation
- Last checked: 3 November 2026. Every quote below was read on or after this day.

How to apply, who can apply and where are our categories, from the funder’s words; the quotes are below.
- Listing: https://naturefunding.org/p/ns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund/
- Funder’s programme page: https://nschallengefund.ca/

Summary in naturefunding.org’s own words: Provincial climate-action grants for Nova Scotia community organizations; the adaptation stream funds ecosystem and nature-based projects such as coastal restoration, alongside mitigation work like buildings and energy.

## The facts, in the funder’s words

**Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, how to apply:** Apply directly. When a call is open, eligible applicants apply to the funder or the organisation running the call.

> “Create an account and log into the Submittable portal to complete the pre-screening form.”

Source: https://nschallengefund.ca/how-to-apply/, checked 3 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/ns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund/#access

**Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, amount:** $75,000 to $1,000,000 CAD (Covers 60-80% of eligible project costs). Covers 60-80% of eligible project costs.

> “The Fund will provide non-repayable grants between $75,000 and $1,000,000 per project that range from 60 - 80% of eligible project costs.”

Source: https://nschallengefund.ca/funding-opportunities/, checked 3 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/ns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund/#amount

**Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, where:** Nova Scotia: Canada

> “The Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund is a provincial grant program for local action on climate change in Nova Scotia.”

Source: https://nschallengefund.ca/, checked 3 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/ns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund/#geography

**Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, who can apply:** NGOs, Indigenous organisations, Government bodies and Research institutions

> “The following groups are eligible lead applicants: Nova Scotia municipalities First Nations bands and tribal councils Post-secondary institutions Non-profit organizations operating in Nova Scotia”

Source: https://nschallengefund.ca/how-to-apply/, checked 3 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/ns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund/#applicant_types

**Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, rounds:** Fixed rounds with deadlines

> “May 28, 2026: Open for round 4 funding applications June 25, 2026 @ 2:00PM: Pre-screening deadline July 23, 2026 @ 2:00PM: Full application deadline”

Source: https://nschallengefund.ca/how-to-apply/, checked 3 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/ns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund/#window

**Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, co-funding required:** Yes

> “A minimum of 20% of eligible project costs must be contributed by the applicant.”

Source: https://nschallengefund.ca/funding-opportunities/, checked 3 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/ns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund/#co_finance_required

## The call

### Round 4

Call page: https://nschallengefund.ca/how-to-apply/

**Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, Round 4, status:** Closed

> “May 28, 2026: Open for round 4 funding applications June 25, 2026 @ 2:00PM: Pre-screening deadline July 23, 2026 @ 2:00PM: Full application deadline”

Source: https://nschallengefund.ca/how-to-apply/, checked 3 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/ns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund/#call-round-4-status

**Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, Round 4, opens:** 28 May 2026

> “May 28, 2026: Open for round 4 funding applications June 25, 2026 @ 2:00PM: Pre-screening deadline July 23, 2026 @ 2:00PM: Full application deadline”

Source: https://nschallengefund.ca/how-to-apply/, checked 3 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/ns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund/#call-round-4-opens

**Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, Round 4, deadline:** 23 July 2026, 14:00 (America/Halifax) (the funder writes “July 23, 2026 @ 2:00PM”)

> “May 28, 2026: Open for round 4 funding applications June 25, 2026 @ 2:00PM: Pre-screening deadline July 23, 2026 @ 2:00PM: Full application deadline”

Source: https://nschallengefund.ca/how-to-apply/, checked 3 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/ns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund/#call-round-4-deadline

## What the funder asks grantees to report

**Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, reporting:** Brief quarterly progress reports; after completion a final impact report with a financial report.

> “Recipients are required to provide brief quarterly progress reports on whether their project is on track and any challenges they are experiencing. Upon project completion recipients submit a Final Impact Report, including a financial report on how the Fund was spent,”

Source: https://nschallengefund.ca/how-to-apply/, checked 3 November 2026.
Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/ns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund/#reporting

## How to cite

naturefunding.org, “Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund”, checked 3 November 2026, https://naturefunding.org/p/ns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund/. Data CC BY 4.0. Quotes are the funder’s words; cite the funder’s page for them.

## Something wrong?

Report a problem: mailto:contact@naturefunding.org?subject=Problem%20with%20Sustainable%20Communities%20Challenge%20Fund&body=Listing%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnaturefunding.org%2Fp%2Fns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund%2F%0A%0AWhat%20is%20wrong%20(deadline%2C%20amount%2C%20eligibility%2C%20link%E2%80%A6)%3F%0A%0A%0AWhere%20did%20you%20see%20the%20correct%20information%3F%20A%20link%20to%20the%20funder%E2%80%99s%20own%20page%20helps%20most.%0A
Funders can correct their listing: mailto:contact@naturefunding.org?subject=Funder%20correction%3A%20Sustainable%20Communities%20Challenge%20Fund&body=Listing%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fnaturefunding.org%2Fp%2Fns-sustainable-communities-challenge-fund%2F%0A%0AYour%20name%2C%20role%20and%20organisation%3A%0A%0AWhat%20should%20change%2C%20and%20the%20page%20on%20your%20website%20that%20says%20so%3A%0A%0AWe%20change%20a%20listing%20only%20after%20confirming%20it%20on%20your%20own%20website.%20Listings%20can%E2%80%99t%20be%20bought.%0A