Funding and Grants

Twillingate Masonic Lodge generates revenue through membership dues, rental of the Square and Compass Social Club and various fundraising initiatives throughout each year. This allows us to do some restoration work on the building but we always try to leverage that through various grants and programs administered by the provincial and federal governments.

Below lists some of the government organisations through which we have previously received assistance and others that may offer funding opportunities in the future. While most programs seem to be looking for applications in the spring after they have their budgets allocated, their websites should be consulted regularly as programs may open at any time of year.

Government of Newfoundland & Labrador

Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

Heritage NL’s typical annual budget is about $120,000. It is normally allocated to them in April but grant applications are reviewed upon receipt year-round. Their grants are intended to direct funding to projects that demonstrate community value as well as a need for material conservation. Project proposals in the $30,000 to $50,000 range are considered, and successful projects will be funded on a 50/50 cost shared basis. Heritage NL also provides smaller ‘maintenance grants’ of $3,000 that organisations may apply for every three years.

Larger projects may be done in phases and typically Heritage NL requests that the grant applicant have three quotes for the work to be done. This they view primarily as a protection for the grant applicant.

Website: https://heritagenl.ca/restoration/grants/


MUN Graduate Student Co-op Program

Memorial University offers a wide range of co-operative education programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Employers may post opportunities for students at any time in the four months prior to the start of the work term. Students in these co-op programs are placed on an ongoing basis; there is no fixed match day. Employers who post early in the term have access to the largest number of students.

Website: https://www.mun.ca/coop/programs/


Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP)

This program is aimed at community heritage organizations such as museums, archives, and historical societies. Applications will be considered beginning April 1. While there is no deadline for Heritage Project Support, due to the heavy demand on the program and the limited funding, it is recommended that organizations submit their applications as close to April 1 as possible. For Twillingate Lodge to become eligible for any grants, there are several prerequisites, as noted below.

General Eligibility Criteria:

Have as their primary purpose the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of the province. Eligible groups will be limited to museums, archives, historical societies and historic trusts (preservation of built heritage).

  • Be governed by an incorporated, non-profit board of directors elected by a membership open to the general public.

  • Be active members of MANL or ANLA. This condition does not apply to province-wide organizations.

  • Eligible organizations may be committees of town councils or other incorporated bodies, or they may be independent of any such bodies.

Regional organizations are also eligible to receive support if their primary focus is on heritage. Such organizations are defined as representing individuals or groups on a regional basis, as being managed by a board of directors with representation from throughout the region, and as offering programs to all parts of the region. Regional organizations must be current members of either MANL or ANLA to be eligible to apply for this support.

To be eligible for CEDP Heritage Operational funding, all groups must meet the following minimum standards:

  • Mission Statement

  • Compliance with the Tourism Assurance Plan (TAP)

  • Collections Management Policy and Procedures

Website: https://www.gov.nl.ca/tcar/artsheritage/culture/funding-programs/cedp-heritage/


Summer Student Employment Program

There are two Student Summer Employment Programs funded provincially, one for post-secondary students and one for high school students. Each site should be checked in early January each year for application submission deadlines.


High School: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ipgs/students/ssep-high-school/

Post Secondary: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ipgs/students/ssep-post-secondary/


JobsNL Wage Subsidy

The JobsNL Wage Subsidy program is designed to connect employers and employees by providing funding to employers to create sustainable long-term employment or seasonal / short term employment. The subsidy is intended to offset salary costs to create new positions. They have 28-week and 42-week programs. The latter effectively subsidizes ~47% of total wage costs. Hourly rate of pay cannot be above $20 to achieve the full benefit of the subsidy.


Website: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ipgs/empservices/jobsnl/


Job Creation Partnerships

The Job Creation Partnerships (JCP) program is designed to support community-based, not-for-profit projects. These projects will provide EI-eligible participants with opportunities to gain work experience to improve their employment prospects. Project activities should benefit both the participant and the community. The primary focus of the JCP program is helping insured participants who need work experience to increase their chances of successfully finding ongoing employment.


Website: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ipgs/lmda/jcp/


Community Enhancement Employment Program

CEEP is a provincially funded program that provides short-term employment. Workers in rural areas are employed by local governments or community organizations for up to 400 hours to assist them with eligibility for Employment Insurance benefits. The department provides funding towards projects that contribute to tourism development, economic development, community/municipal infrastructure, and community services. The department also encourages project sponsors to develop projects that provide skills development opportunities for workers and ongoing benefits to the region. Project sponsors must be established not-for-profit organizations or local governments.


Website: https://www.gov.nl.ca/mpa/ceep/

Other Possible Provincial Sources

Cultural Events Fund

https://www.gov.nl.ca/tcar/funding-programs/cultural-events-fund/Tourism Market

Tourism Market Readiness Subsidy Program

https://www.gov.nl.ca/tcar/funding-programs/tourism-market-readiness-subsidy-program/

Tourism Season Extension Program

https://www.gov.nl.ca/tcar/funding-programs/tourism-season-extension-program/

Government of Canada


Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

ACOA supports projects that build the economies of communities in Atlantic Canada. They have several programmes but only one may be accessible to TML as a non-profit organisation. The Rediscover Main Streets initiative that helps non-profit organizations team up to generate new ideas that inspire locals and tourists alike to rediscover all that their main streets, downtowns and neighborhoods have to offer. A non-profit organization could get non-repayable funding for up to 100% of eligible costs. Projects with a targeted scope could get $25,000 to $500,000. From my estimation, to pursue any such grant through ACOA, we should articulate our longer-term goals in the form of a project, at least in general terms, and then contact a local ACOA representative in Gander, 109 Trans Canada Highway, 709-424-5597 (general inquires)


Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/atlantic-canada-opportunities/services/rediscover-main-streets.html

New Horizons for Seniors Program

The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants and contributions program. It provides funding for projects that make a difference in the lives of seniors and in their communities including accessibility issues (ex. chairlift, elevator etc.). Grants up to $25,000 are available.

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/new-horizons-seniors.html


Canada Summer Jobs Program

Canada Summer Jobs is a program under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which aims to provide flexible and holistic services to help all young Canadians develop the skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition into the labour market. The Canada Summer Jobs Program is the program that Twillingate Lodge has taken advantage of in recent years to pay for our summer tour guide.


Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summer-jobs.html

Legacy Fund

Building Communities through Arts and Heritage - Legacy Fund component provides funding for community-initiated capital projects, intended for community use. Recipients may receive up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenses up to a maximum of $500,000. (Must be an incorporated non-profit organisation to apply.)

Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/building-communities/legacy-fund.html