NWT Recreation & Parks: Water Smart Grant

The NWT Recreation & Parks Water Smart Grant offers funding for organizations to host three community events focused on Water Smart topics. These grants cover various expenses, including equipment, venue fees, instructor costs, and promotional activities. Eligible applicants must ensure all events are free and accessible to the public, adhering to GNWT health directives. This initiative aims to enhance community engagement in water safety education while providing valuable resources for future use.

NOTE: The application period is June 12 to October 1, 2023. Funds are limited. Applications will be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Water Smart® grants are available for organizations to host three (3) Water Smart learning events in their community. All events must teach Water Smart topics from the Water Smart manual from the Life Saving Society.
The grants can be used for equipment (which can then be kept and used after the events!), rental space or venue fees, instructor fees, event promotion and advertising, healthy snacks, hand sanitizers, and/or other items to help you follow GNWT public health directives at your events.
All events must teach water safety topics from the Water Smart manual from the Life Saving Society, found here.

Eligibility

Organizations and community governments are encouraged to apply for the grants to help their community members stay active.The following conditions must be met in order to receive funding:An NWT community organization will either plan, organize, and host three recreation opportunities that follow GNWT public health directives, whether online or in-person;OR an NWT community organization will purchase (this includes shipping) and look after (this includes sanitizing) recreation equipment that will be made available to everyone in the community to use for free while following GNWT public health directives;Applications must fit within one of the grant categories All events and equipment must be free for anyone attending the event or using the equipment;All events and equipment must be open and available to the public;A final report on your event must be submittedYou can use the grant for costs related to the events, such as:Equipment purchase* or rentalRental space or venue feesInstructor feesEvent promotion and advertisingHealthy snacksHand sanitizers or other items to help you follow GNWT public health directives at your eventsPurchasing equipment that can be used by community members for years to come is one way to make the most out of the grant money you receive. Walking poles purchased for events, for example, can be used by the community long after the events have ended.You can use the grant for costs related to the equipment, such as:Recreation equipment purchaseShipping feesSanitizing and cleaning items to help you follow GNWT public health directives when using/lending equipment