What is the Healthy Choices Fund?

The Healthy Choices Fund (HCF) provides financial support for health promotion and prevention activities within the Northwest Territories. It aims to address risk factors associated with chronic and communicable diseases, as well as injury prevention. The fund seeks to promote healthier lifestyle choices through focused initiatives that encourages healthier lifestyle choices among individuals, families, and communities.

Who can apply for the Healthy Choices Fund?

• Indigenous governments in the Northwest Territories that have negotiated, or are in the process of negotiating, self-government agreements.

• Community governing authorities (Band Council, Métis Local, Charter Community or municipal council).

• Non-government organizations that demonstrate Indigenous outreach and have formed partnerships or receive support from an Indigenous or community governing authority.

From February 1, 2024 onwards, health authorities will no longer be eligible to apply for the Healthy Choices Fund. This change comes in response to consultations with indigenous governments and is being made to prioritize non-government and Indigenous organizations for project funding.

What types of projects are eligible for funding under the Healthy Choices Fund?

Eligible projects may include new initiatives or enhancements of existing projects and should:

• Focus on children, youth, seniors, and their families.
• Be located and delivered in the Northwest Territories.
• Build knowledge and skills to prevent injuries and chronic diseases such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and preventable cancers.
• Create supportive environments for healthy eating, active living and reducing use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances of concern.
• Build knowledge, skills, and support behaviours to maintain sexual health throughout life.
• Deliver education and awareness to help support the health and well being of NWT seniors.
• Enable residents to learn and enhance life skills in community settings and with available resources.
• Strengthen community capacity, partnerships, and collaboration to reduce duplication and build sustainability.

Projects that undertake research or consultation will not be considered.

Can I see examples of other successfully funded projects?

Yes. For ideas and information on what others doing, as well as past examples, please email hcif@gov.nt.ca.

Are multi-year projects considered under the Healthy Choices Fund?

A small number of multi-year projects are considered for funding, to a maximum of three years. In the past, most approved multi-year projects have been two years in length.

What happens if there are competing projects?

If there are multiple competing projects, and there is insufficient funding to provide support for each project, priority will be given to projects that:

• Demonstrate strong partnerships.
• Demonstrate sustainability beyond the life of this funding.

How do I demonstrate my project’s sustainability?

There are several ways that a project’s potential for sustainability can be measured. Examples include:

• The project can be sustained by innovations in staffing or partnerships.
• Project planners can identify more than one source of funding and can shift financial support for project implementation to new funding streams.
• Project planners provide a clear plan for monitoring progress and evaluating project outcomes which can be used to access longer term funding.

Can I submit several applications for different projects?

Organizations may submit as many applications as they want. However, there is no guarantee that all applications submitted from one organization will be funded due to competing proposals and limited funding availability.

What information do I need to provide in my Healthy Choices Fund application?

You will need to provide a project description, an activity schedule or time table, partnership list, and an evaluation plan along with a detailed budget.

You will need to provide the following documents to support your proposal:

• Liability insurance with an expiry date after March of the calendar year.
• Letter of good standing from Societies Registrar or Letter of Incorporation (if applicable); and
• Up to three (3) partnership letters from organizations that state their understanding of the project and identify how they will support the project.
• List of additional funding applied for/received for this project.

How long does it take to process my application?

Review, rating, discussion and final approval for of all applications can take two to three weeks.

Processing time for Contribution Agreements is dependent on the applicant submitting all relevant documentation with the application as well as ensuring the project budget is calculated correctly.

Who makes the decision on which applications get funded?

Applications are reviewed by a committee composed of members from the Departments of Health and Social Services (Chairperson), Education, Culture & Employment (ECE), Justice (DoJ) and Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA).

How are decisions made to determine which applications get funded?

• Applications are rated on a set of criteria which includes eligibility of applicant, how well the project’s activities fit the Healthy Choices Fund’s objectives, identification of partners and collaborators, project’s timelines, clear plans for evaluation and a well-planned, realistic budget.

Will I be notified if my application gets approved or not approved?

All applicants receive a letter or email advising whether their application has been approved or not.

What project costs are covered under the Healthy Choices Fund?

Funding covers various expenses, including:

• Program materials and supplies.

• Equipment for food storage/preparation, injury prevention, and outdoor activities.

• Traditional structures such as teepees, smokehouses, and yurts.

• Rentals for venues and equipment.

• Staff expenses, facilitator fees, and travel within the NWT.Administration fees equal to 5% of total projected costs.

Expenses not eligible under this fund include:

• Vehicle purchases, including snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.

• Capital projects exceeding $50,000 such as new construction, major renovation, or alteration of facilities or other buildings that are intended for human occupancy or that involve site-servicing works (i.e., the installation of electrical, water and/or wastewater infrastructure).

Do I have to provide narrative reports and revenue expenditures reports on the project I receive Healthy Choices Funds for?

Yes, interim and final narrative reports and revenue expenditures reports along with pictures of the project, project materials developed etc., are the deliverables the applicant is expected to submit to the GNWT.

Schedule C of the Contribution Agreement will identify the deliverables owing to the Government of the NWT.

Can I apply for Healthy Choices Funding if I received other Government of Northwest funding (e.g. Anti-Poverty Funding)?

Yes, you can apply for Healthy Choices Funding when you have received funding from other sources. However, you need to identify other sources of funding as indicated in the application form.

Will my application be shared with other GNWT departments that offer related funding streams?

Yes. The Department of Health and Social Services will share the application with other GNWT departments to ensure the best fit for funding and make it easier for projects to be considered for all available funding sources.