Heritage Development Fund: Conservation Advice Grants
The Heritage Development Fund recognizes the culture and heritage value of our built heritage and supports conservation measures for heritage properties registered under the Heritage Property Act.
The Heritage Development Fund invests in conservation advice projects carried out by the property’s owner to ensure the exterior appearance and core structure of the registered heritage property maintains the property’s unique heritage values.
Offered by Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
Amount
Up to $5,000
Up to 50% of eligible costs, generally up to a maximum of $5,000, for the development of a conservation plan prepared by an architect, engineer, or other qualified person
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
As described in the program’s Guidelines document, if the property is solely a registered municipal heritage property, the applicant must be a registered not-for-profit Society in good standing or a federally registered Charity or not-for-profit Corporation (i.e. a place of worship such as a church, temple, mosque, or synagogue) in good standing.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be an individual or corporation that is the legal owner of a registered heritage property, or
- Be a registered not-for-profit Society in good standing that is the legal owner of a registered heritage
property, or
- Be a federally registered Charity or not-for-profit Corporation (a place of worship such as a church,
temple, mosque, or synagogue) in good standing that is the legal owner of a registered heritage property, or
- Be a Nova Scotian Mi’kmaw band/council that is the legal owner of a registered heritage property, or
- Be a municipality that is the legal owner of a registered heritage property.
We encourage applications from eligible applicants whose registered heritage properties represent Nova Scotia’s underrepresented and/ or underserved communities.
Eligible Projects
An eligible conservation advice project can be for:
- A building or structure located on a registered heritage property, or
- Monuments that are 1) in situ and 2) at least 100 years of age that are located within a cemetery that is a
registered heritage property.
Building or Structure An eligible project for a building or structure would identify the need for professional advice to better conserve the exterior appearance of a registered heritage property or its core structural integrity.
Professional advice must be prepared by an architect and/or engineer who are licensed by the relevant association to practice in Nova Scotia and demonstrate knowledge of building conservation standards. In exceptional situations, a qualified person in good standing with a recognized association of conservation professionals (e.g. Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals) and can demonstrate their knowledge of building conservation may be considered.
Cemetery An eligible project specifically for a cemetery would identify the need for professional advice to better conserve their monuments that are 1) in situ and 2) at least 100 years of age. While an architect and/ or engineer may not be required, a qualified person in good standing with a recognized association of conservation professionals (e.g. Canadian Association of Professional Heritage Consultants) or can clearly demonstrate their knowledge of monument conservation may be considered.
Legislative Compliance Applicants must comply with all necessary legislative requirements such as, but not limited to, the Fire Safety Act, the Building Code Act, the Accessibility Act, and the Heritage Property Act.
About the funding
The department may contribute up to 50% of eligible costs generally up to a maximum of $5,000 for the development of a conservation plan prepared by an architect, engineer, or other qualified person. In-kind support can be used when there is a demonstrated value of the services and/or materials that relate directly to the expenses of the project.
Please note if more than one heritage property is owned by an eligible applicant, not more than 2 properties can be considered for a conservation advice grant per fiscal.
Funding is based on estimated project costs. Funding terms include, but are not limited to:
- Successful applicants will be advised of the funding amount for the approved conservation project. If the
Show all funding details
funding amount is less than requested, the applicant must confirm their ability to complete the scope of work as proposed.
- Successful projects that receive funding must submit a final report within 60 days of the project end
date. The report will require PDF copies of 1) the final conservation advice plan document prepared by architect, engineer or qualified person, 2) the final invoices and 3) proof of payment (i.e. paid receipts/canceled cheques) for purchases/services rendered in completion of the project.
- The Province’s support must be recognized as outlined in the Requirements for Acknowledging
Funding.
- Once funding has been provided, no substantial changes can be made to the project without the written
consent of the Program’s Coordinator. Funds are to be returned if not completely used for the project.
- Once funding has been provided, the applicant must support the publishing of their awarded grant
amount, brief project description and the name/address of the registered property.
