Nova Scotia is geographically rural and the fabric of our economy lies within the rural areas. We are in the midst of the COVID-19 with self isolation and closures of businesses, yet within rural areas, our milk, eggs, beef, poultry, wine, vegetables, fruit and honey and fish are still available, so consumers in the urban areas can be fed.

During 2019/20, many grants were awarded to many areas and for many reasons in rural Nova Scotia.

The RBC Future Launch Community Challenge, funded by the RBC Foundation through Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) is designed for community youth aged 15 - 29 and their partner organizations to turn the bold ideas of the youth into reality through leadership of programs. These programs include health, food security, education, the environment and many other community priorities. There are 7 projects, totalling $90,000.00 being conducted throughout Nova Scotia, all the way from Digby to Glace Bay. While participants are learning leadership and management skills, they are also contributing to the community through the rentals of halls and schools and the purchase of supplies. It is hoped that through the skills developed with the management of these projects, they will also become the future leaders in our communities.

The Community Sparks Program, funded by Susan Hirshberg and her family, is designed to empower youth to turn good ideas into direct action on climate change. “The youth are often already leaders on climate change issues in their community and are also a valuable resource for bringing creativity, energy and passion to solve the thorny issues surrounding climate change in Nova Scotia,” says Susan Hirshberg. A donation of $13,605.00 was made available to youth groups through an application process for seven grants to carry out projects.

The Gender Equality Program of 2 grants totalling $33,000.00 was made available to the Town of Port Hawkesbury and the Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation to carry out projects in their community. This program was funded through the CFC who joined the Equality Fund and the Government of Canada to advance gender equality known as the Pilot Fund for Gender Equality. This Pilot Fund will capture learnings that will help inform future learning opportunities.

Donations of land and properties continued to be made and added to the endowment fund. RCF continues to collaborate with our sister organizations including Community Foundation of Nova Scotia (CFNS) and has assisted them with the IRP program. Literacy Nova Scotia (LNS) continues to provide us with dependable support in our operations.

RCF committees Granting and Nomination, Fund Development, and Engagement continue to work diligently in carrying out the duties of their committee work to ensure the programs and efforts of RCF are in good hands.

This past year, monthly board meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month and are enhanced by the use of the Zoom program. We welcome 4 new directors: Eirinn Fraser, Penny Day, Mark Embrett and Ella Lentz. Their skill sets and interest in RCF will be an added bonus to our work.

As I write this report, many things are in limbo. Because of COVID-19, we’ve had to postpone Anniversary celebrations for 20 years of operation planned for June 2020, and vital conversations for the RBC grantees.

Many thanks to the board of directors, to LNS, to Chris Atwood who is retiring, and to Arthur Bull who stepped down as chair last year.

Jean Ward
Chair, Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia