Helping Community Organizations Access Opportunities and Drive Positive Change | | |
  This month, we're highlighting opportunities that support community impact across Newfoundland and Labrador, including funding programs, policy developments, professional learning events, volunteer opportunities, sector resources, and career postings. Explore what's new and discover ways to connect, collaborate, and strengthen your community. | | Coffee's On: Peer Support in Substance Use Health and Addiction | | |
Coffee’s On is a Community Sector Council NL initiative. It serves as a networking, information-sharing, and community space for government agencies, community groups, and service providers interested in well-being, poverty reduction and the social determinants of health.
Join us province-wide on September 11th at 10:00 a.m. NST on Zoom as Lindsey Hynes from CSCNL hosts a conversation with Lifewise Mental Health Peer Services to discuss Peer Support in Substance Use Health and Addiction: Walking the Path Together.
Substance use touches more lives than many of us realize, whether it's a family member, friend, coworker, neighbour, or someone in the community. Yet many people are left wondering, how can I help without causing harm?
In recognition of National Substance Use Health Week of Action, join us for this free, engaging session as we explore the realities of substance use health and addiction, challenge common misconceptions, and highlight the powerful role of a support system in recovery. Grounded in lived experience, this conversation will offer practical insights, hope, and compassionate approaches that anyone can use to better support others, and themselves.
Whether you work in the community sector, provide care, or simply want to be there for someone you love, this session will leave you feeling more informed, confident, and connected.
| | Building Momentum for Mental Health and Well-Being Through Collaboration | | |
The Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador was pleased to host the Mental Health Is More Than You Can Imagine workshop at O'Brien's Farm in July in partnership with the Atlantic Summer Institute on Healthy and Safe Communities (ASI) and the National Collaborating Centre for the Determinants of Health.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us for a morning of learning, meaningful conversation, and cross-sector collaboration. A special thank you goes to Patsy Beattie-Huggan from the Atlantic Summer Institute and Melissa Pearce for facilitating such an engaging and thought-provoking session.
The workshop encouraged participants to think beyond individual experiences of mental health and explore how policies, systems, and the social determinants of health shape the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Through discussion and shared learning, participants reflected on how organizations across sectors can influence positive change by advancing upstream approaches and policies that support mental health and well-being.
This workshop is an important step in an ongoing conversation. We look forward to continuing to work alongside ASI, our community partners, and organizations across Newfoundland and Labrador to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and advocate for policies that create healthier, more equitable communities for everyone.
Learn more about the Atlantic Summer Institute: https://asi-iea.ca/en/
| | Help Shape New Plain-Language Legal Resources for NL Nonprofits | | |
The Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador (CSCNL), in partnership with the Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (PLIAN) and with support from the Law Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, is launching a new initiative to develop free, plain-language legal resources for nonprofit organizations across the province.
Nonprofit leaders and volunteer boards are increasingly required to navigate complex legal, governance, employment, privacy, compliance, and risk management responsibilities—often with limited access to affordable legal expertise. This project will create practical, Newfoundland and Labrador-specific resources designed to help organizations better understand their obligations, strengthen governance practices, and make informed decisions with confidence.
As part of this work, we want to hear directly from nonprofit organizations about the legal and governance topics that matter most. Your feedback will help shape the content, tools, and resources that are developed, ensuring they reflect the realities and needs of community organizations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
We invite you to take a few minutes to complete our survey.
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Canada Child Benefit Payments Increasing for 2026–27

Approximately 47,000 families in Newfoundland and Labrador benefiting from more generous payments starting this month.
The Government of Canada has announced increases to Canada Child Benefit payments for the 2026–27 benefit year. The adjustment is intended to help families manage rising living costs and provide additional financial support to children and families across the country.
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Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy Public Engagement

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is continuing public engagement on its Poverty Reduction and Prevention Strategy.

Community organizations, service providers, and residents are encouraged to provide feedback before the engagement closes on August 31. Input gathered will help shape future actions and priorities related to poverty reduction in Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Canadian Index for Measuring Integration and Inclusion Launches New Website
The Canadian Index for Measuring Integration and Inclusion (CIMII) has launched a redesigned website featuring improved navigation, mobile accessibility, and enhanced user experience.
The platform allows users to explore immigrant integration outcomes and compare indicators across Canadian provinces and cities.
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Volunteer Week 2026 Announced
In recognition of the United Nations' designation of 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, CharityVillage and its partners will host Volunteer Week 2026 from September 14–18.
The week will feature webinars, resources, and discussions celebrating volunteerism across Canada.
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Women's Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund 2026
Women and Gender Equality Canada has launched a call for proposals supporting projects that remove barriers and increase access to women's economic and leadership opportunities across Canada.
The Government of Canada is investing $100 million to support initiatives focused on leadership advancement, workforce participation, and women's success in an AI-driven economy.
Deadline: September 15, 2026
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National Anti-Racism Fund Project Grants
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is accepting applications for projects that address systemic racial barriers, public awareness, education, community-building, and anti-racism initiatives.

Expression of Interest Deadline: September 2, 2026
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Build Communities Strong Fund
Through the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) - Local Impact stream, nearly $76 million is now available through ACOA to help communities enhance the public spaces and systems Atlantic Canadians use every day. This initiative is supporting a wide range of regionally significant infrastructure projects that enhance local community spaces and increase climate resiliency.
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Cooperation with the Community Sector
Canadian Heritage's Cooperation with the Community Sector subcomponent supports official language community organizations through innovation, capacity building, and engagement initiatives.

Eligible organizations must represent the interests of official-language minority communities. Their missions, mandates or the majority of their activities must support the development and enhancement of official-language minority communities nationally, provincially, regionally or locally.
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Accessible Canada – National AccessAbility Week Funding

This funding opportunity will support projects that promote the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act and its regulations through National Accessibility Week (NAAW) activities delivered in 2027, 2028 and in 2029, that highlight the contributions of persons with disabilities, raise awareness, and promote accessibility and inclusion in communities and workplaces across Canada.
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Seniors' Social Inclusion Initiative
Applications are now open for Newfoundland and Labrador's Seniors' Social Inclusion Initiative.
Grants of up to $1,000 support social opportunities that encourage healthy aging, social inclusion, and community connection among seniors.
Deadline: August 31, 2026
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Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security Call
This funding program supports collaborative applied research projects focused on Canada's defence and security priorities, including AI, cybersecurity, aerospace, quantum technology, Arctic sovereignty, and advanced manufacturing.
Deadline: August 17, 2026
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Daryl K. Seaman Canadian Hockey Grants
These grants support charitable organizations that are helping young people play hockey and amateur sport across Canada. The grant can be used for things like equipment, transportation, facility improvements, and fee subsidies to help remove barriers and make participation more accessible. Applications are open now and close on November 6, 2026, at 4 p.m. MT.
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Recreation NL Active Living Leadership Network
Registration is open for ALL IN! Event 2026: Naturally Engrained, taking place September 17-18 in Mount Pearl.
The event will bring together active living professionals and community leaders from across Newfoundland and Labrador.
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First Point Event Space
Looking for an accessible venue for your next meeting, workshop, or community event?
First Point offers flexible rental space in downtown St. John's while supporting programs that help seniors stay connected and engaged.
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The Many Sides of Directors’ and Officers’ Liability
Recruiting and retaining the right members for a non-profit board is a key differentiator in the success of your organization’s goals and initiatives. Ensuring the organization and those individuals is not easily done, but with the right D&O insurance policy in place, both the entity and board members can be protected from liability. Joing Tracy Eso for this 60-minute session.
| | Community Futures 101

The future is arriving faster than ever. From shifting demographics and economic uncertainty to climate impacts and emerging technologies, the communities that thrive will be those that are prepared to adapt, anticipate, and act.

Join Daren Okafo on September 17, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET, for this 3.5 hr virtual workshop and learn practical tools that will help you move beyond reacting to change and begin planning for what comes next. | | | | Volunteer & Board Opportunities | | |
Cathedral Basilica Foundation Board Opportunities

The Cathedral Basilica Foundation is seeking individuals committed to governance, stewardship, and community impact.
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Mi'kmaw Cultural Foundation Board of Directors
The Mi'kmaw Cultural Foundation is recruiting board members, including representatives from Qalipu First Nation, Miawpukek First Nation, youth representatives, Elders, and Directors-at-Large.
Deadline: August 30, 2026
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Choices for Youth Board Recruitment

Choices for Youth is seeking dedicated board members to support its mission of ending youth homelessness and improving youth well-being in Newfoundland and Labrador.
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St. John's Tool Library Volunteer Opportunity

The St. John's Tool Library is seeking volunteers interested in helping develop and support its new She Shed initiative, a community space focused on connection, practical learning, and shared skills.
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