Who can apply for funding?

Any non-profit incorporated board, or the overseeing nonprofit organization (e.g. Church) for a nonprofit cemetery located in Cumberland County Nova Scotia or any group of Canadian citizens who are desirous of establishing a nonprofit Board with the purpose of establishing ownership of a cemetery or burial ground within Cumberland County Nova Scotia, and subsequently restoring and/or improving it.

What kind of projects can we fund?

The Foundation will consider funding requests for improvements, repairs, or protection of cemeteries or burial grounds. Past projects have included:

• releveling,
• cleaning,
• repairing headstones
• removing, trimming trees or shrubs
• repairing or erecting fences or walls that protect the cemetery
• improving access to cemeteries, e.g. by repairing bridges, making entrance, or internal roads more useable
• providing funds for fill to make cemeteries more level
• assisting with the costs of retaining walls
• signage which helps to identify the cemetery

As mentioned, in an effort to assist in preserving cemeteries that are no longer adequately cared for, or when ownership is unclear, the Foundation may assist in incorporating a nonprofit board, and also may assist with cost of surveys to assist in obtaining ownership of a cemetery for a nonprofit organization.

A rather unique ongoing project is data collection: No matter how well looked after, headstones will deteriorate. In 1988 the Trust saw the need to preserve the information found on these stones. In partnership with the Cumberland County Museum this information was collected. With the new technology available the information was then put in a database. The original database was cumbersome, and desperately needed updating, so we currently are working to extend the viability and scope of this database.

How to apply

The Foundation Board makes decisions on funding at their late fall meeting for the following calendar year. Exceptions have in rare circumstances been made for emergency situations, e.g. when a bridge had to be repaired to allow access to a cemetery.

The Foundation has application forms which can be downloaded from this site. Also application forms may be sent out to potential applicants via email or hard copy. The Administrator is available by phone, by email or if necessary in person to explain the process. Generally the applicants need to supply information on their financial situations, information on the cemetery for which they seek assistance, and approved representatives. For applicants who have not received funding in the past, legal papers showing ownership of the cemetery, incorporation as a nonprofit organization, and a short history of their cemetery is needed.

The Foundation also requests a description and rationale of the work proposed, estimates from potential contractors, and information on what financial or other contribution that can be provided by the applicant. If this is a second or repeat application it is helpful for the applicant to provide a description of any improvements done by the cemetery board and/or other volunteers.

The Administrator is available to answer questions, via phone email or letter, and if appropriate, will make a site visit to see what the current situation is. S/he can often assist in the application process.

Except in unusual situations, the completed applications should be submitted by October 1st.

For individuals or groups who wish to acquire a cemetery, and/or need to be incorporated, financial assistance may be available for legal or survey costs. Discussions should be held with the Administrator to determine if the Foundation can help.