Question 1

Who can apply?

Accepted Answer

We cannot give grant money to individuals, but organizations and community governments are encouraged to apply for the grants to help their community members stay active.

Question 2

How Do I Apply?

Accepted Answer

To apply, complete the online application at the link above.
Funds are limited! Applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

Question 3

Important Dates

Accepted Answer

• The application period is June 1 - September 31, 2026
• All activities must take place before October 30, 2026
• All final reports are due October 31, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Question 4

What is Swim to Survive?

Accepted Answer

Here is a good 3-minute long video from Lifesaving Society Ontario branch on what swim to survive looks like.

Question 5

What resources are available?

Accepted Answer

Here is a link to the Swim to Survive activity guide from the Lifesaving Society  AB/NWT

Many resources can be found on the Lifesaving Society Website here: https://www.lifesaving.org/public-education/be-water-smart/water-smart-resources

Question 6

What do I need to do to receive funding?

Accepted Answer

The following conditions must be met to receive Water Safety funding:

• Water Smart® events must teach topics from the Water Smart manual from the Life Saving Society, found here: Water Smart Topics
Swim to Survive events must teach participants the basic skills needed to survive a fall into deep water taught by a qualified Swim to Survive® Instructor.  
• All events must be free for participants.
• All events must be open to the public.
• Participants must attend the event.
• The event must occur between June 1, 2025, and October 30, 2026.
• A final electronic report must be submitted by October 31, 2026

Question 7

What type of funding is available?

Accepted Answer

Grants will be awarded in the following categories:

Category 1: Water Smart® 
Grants of $750 are available for organizations to host TWO distinct Water Smart learning events in their community. All events must teach water safety topics from the Water Smart manual from the Life Saving Society. (Found here: https://www.lifesaving.org/public-education/be-water-smart/water-smart-resources)

Category 2: Swim to Survive®
Grants of $875 are available to assist organizations in hosting one Swim to Survive® event at a Community swimming pool in the NWT. Participants will learn the basic skills needed to survive a fall into deep water taught by a certified Swim to Survive® Instructor.

Question 8

What can I use the money for?

Accepted Answer

You can use the grant for costs related to the events, such as:
·       Equipment purchase* or rental
·       Rental space or venue fees
·       Instructor fees
·       Event promotion and advertising
·       Healthy snacks
·       Hand sanitizers or other items to help you follow GNWT public health directives at your events

*Purchasing 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.

Question 9

How do I receive the funding?

Accepted Answer

Each grant will be awarded in two parts. When an application is approved, half the grant will be sent to the organization. After all events take place, or after the equipment is purchased and put to use, and you submit your final report, you will receive the remaining half of the grant.

The NWTRPA will be approving grants in the order in which they are received. All applications submitted online will automatically receive a time stamp (similar to a fax). If approved, you can receive payment by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). For EFTs, please email a copy of a VOID cheque to ac_director@nwtrpa.org or fill out the form here: https://www.nwtrpa.org/copy-of-resources and follow the instructions to return it to the NWTRPA.

Question 10

What does the Water Safety grant reporting entail?

Accepted Answer

Reporting is an important step to ensuring funding for future Get Active grants. All organizers must assess the number of participants and to the best of their ability, assess numbers on the following:

Home Community: Given the NWTRPA commitment to increasing accessibility, the organization should be able to demonstrate that programs and activities are reaching all regions; and if the data don’t indicate this, you will want to do some analysis to figure out why.

Age category: This information will be helpful in demonstrating the achievement of the goal of increasing accessibility to recreation for all residents; and will support reporting to funders for specific programs that may be focused on youth or Elders.
•       Number of Youth
•       Number of Adults 
•       Number of Elders

Indigenous identity: This information will be helpful in demonstrating the achievement of the goal of increasing accessibility to recreation for all residents; and may be useful in developing funding proposals for programs targeted at increasing Indigenous engagement in recreation.
•       Number of Indigenous
•       Number of Non-Indigenous
•       Number of participants who prefer not say

Gender identity: This information will be helpful in demonstrating achievement of the goal of increasing accessibility to recreation for all residents; and will be needed to meet MACA’s accountability requirements related to increasing the number of women and girls in sport.
•       Number of Female participants
•       Number of Male participants
•       Number of Non-Binary participants 
•       Number of participants who prefer not to say

Why are we collecting this information?

The NWTRPA is committed to improving the accessibility of recreation programs so that all residents can choose to participate in active living. Collecting this information helps us to see whether people of all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds are accessing recreation opportunities in the NWT.

Reporting on this information is also a requirement for many of our funding sources.

How will this information be used?

The NWTRPA is asking for this information only so that we can compile aggregated information about who is accessing our programs and services.  For example, government funding agencies may want to know how many youth, Elders, or women and girls participated in our programming. Indigenous partner organizations may want to know to what extent Indigenous residents of the NWT are taking advantage of our services. This information will also help us to understand if we are meeting our goal of increasing accessibility of recreation services.

Will this information be kept confidential?

We will never disclose this information at an individual or personal level.

What if you don’t want to provide this information?

The only information that is required for you to register for one of our events or programs is your name, e-mail address, and home community.  You are free to decline to answer all the other questions.

Question 11

What is the Community Price Index?

Accepted Answer

The Northwest Territories Community Price Survey which has been conducted since 1982 allows for a comparison of prices across communities. This comparison takes the form of an index showing average prices compared to Yellowknife. Grants for communities will be calculated using the same ratio that is reflected in the linked index (the lowest-scoring community will be given the basic amount).

Yellowknife has the lowest food price index, hence organizations in this community will receive either $750 or $850 for their event. However, as an example, an organization based out of Inuvik, where the price index is 1.59, would be entitled to $1192,5 ($750 x 1.59) or $1351.5 ($850 x 1.59) For more information on your community price index visit: https://www.statsnwt.ca/prices-expenditures/community-price-index/

Water Safety Grants

To assist NWT Communities, the NWTRPA is funding Water Safety grants to underline safety around bodies of water, where there is a risk of injury or drowning.

Two categories of grants are available: Water Smart® Learning & Swim to Survive®.

Swim to Survive®

Water Smart®

Water Smart® grants are available for organisations to host two (2) Water Smart learning events in their community. All events must focus on Water Smart® topics from the Water Smart® manual from the Life Saving Society.

Applications are now open!