Submission Form for the Next Great Save Competition 2026 |
Next Great Save Competition Eligibility
During the Next Great Save competition, project groups compete for public votes to win up to $50,000 in cash prizes for projects that will protect, adapt, renew, or improve a historic place for the future, and inspire us all in the process. The winner of this competition will receive $50,000 to go towards their Next Great Save. The second-place winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize, and the third-place winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize.
To be eligible for this competition, projects must be submitted by a lead project group that is either a not-for-profit organization, a registered charity, or an Indigenous organization from within Canada. The lead project group must own or be a long-term lessee (with a minimum 7-years remaining in their lease agreement or proof of intention to renew their lease for the upcoming 7 years) of the historic place that is benefiting from the Next Great Save project or be acting on the authority of an eligible owner or long-term lessee, giving the lead project group the responsibility and authority to carry out the proposed project.
Not-for-profit organizations that represent or work with municipalities, provincial or federal governments are eligible to apply, provided they are applying on their own behalf. Ineligible applicants include individuals, for-profit organizations, or business entities. Municipalities, provincial or federal governments (i.e. federal departments, Crown corporations and/or agencies) may not apply on their own.
To review the complete Next Great Save Competition eligibility criteria, please read the Submission Guidelines.
Not-for-profit organizations that represent or work with municipalities, provincial or federal governments are eligible to apply, provided they are applying on their own behalf. Ineligible applicants include individuals, for-profit organizations, or business entities. Municipalities, provincial or federal governments (i.e. federal departments, Crown corporations and/or agencies) may not apply on their own.
To review the complete Next Great Save Competition eligibility criteria, please read the Submission Guidelines.
Please note: Lead project groups must provide supporting documentation that prove their eligibility in order for their submission to be considered. Please consult the list of documents below to ensure you have all that is required to complete this submission form. Prior to submitting this form, you will be asked to upload your supporting documents. Please verify that you have successfully attached all your supporting documents.
LIST OF DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO ENTER THE NEXT GREAT SAVE COMPETITION:
The following forms and documents are mandatory and must be included with your application unless otherwise indicated:
Proof of Eligibility (Mandatory)
- Proof of ownership or long-term capital lease for the site.
- Proof of not-for-profit or charitable status, or proof of being an Indigenous organization. This may include a certificate of incorporation, letters patent, or another similar document. For Indigenous organizations, this may include proof of registration with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), or a provincial Indigenous affairs ministry. A letter of recognition or support from a First Nation Band Council, Tribal Council, or Indigenous government or Self-governing First Nation, or similar will also be accepted.
Supporting Financial Documents (Mandatory)
- Most recent audited or unaudited financial statements (prepared for the last closed financial year).
Endorsement (Mandatory)
- A letter of support from another community organization (such as a downtown business improvement organization, a heritage NGO, a local service organization, band council or a municipal government) providing an endorsement of the lead project group and the Next Great Save project.
Other Documentation (Not Mandatory)
- Applicable photos, plans, drawings and sketches, architectural and engineering studies.
- Any existing recent condition assessments or conservation plans.
- Applicable designated substances and hazardous materials reports.
- Preliminary cost estimates, prepared within the last 12 months, reflecting approximate pricing obtained from contractors, architectural firms or professionals, conservation specialists, for all proposed conservation work.
Community and Media Outreach
Each project group is responsible for developing a social media strategy to mobilize their community to vote for their project. Prior to submitting this form, please prepare a 1–2-page plan for how you plan to engage your audiences through communication channels (e.g. radio, flyer campaign, social media posts, local events, etc.) which you will be required to upload. Please include considerations like what kind of audiences are you planning to engage with, what kind of posts do you plan on making, as well as what your outreach team looks like.
Each project group is responsible for developing a social media strategy to mobilize their community to vote for their project. Prior to submitting this form, please prepare a 1–2-page plan for how you plan to engage your audiences through communication channels (e.g. radio, flyer campaign, social media posts, local events, etc.) which you will be required to upload. Please include considerations like what kind of audiences are you planning to engage with, what kind of posts do you plan on making, as well as what your outreach team looks like.