Funding boost enables Indian communities in Canada to empower seniors

For seniors from Indian communities in Canada, community events are a way of life, keeping people connected so far from home. Now, there’s fresh support from the Government of Canada to help keep that spirit alive.

The 2025–2026 call for proposals under the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is officially open, offering community groups the chance to secure funding for projects that keep seniors engaged, supported, and celebrated.

A program with deep roots

The NHSP isn’t new. Since its launch in 2004, it has funded over 43,000 projects nationwide, investing more than $970 million in initiatives that strengthen communities through the involvement of seniors.

At its core, the program seeks to:

• Promote volunteerism among seniors and across generations
• Involve seniors as mentors
• Raise awareness of elder abuse
• Support social participation and inclusion
• Provide small-scale capital assistance for seniors’ facilities

For community-based projects, eligible groups can receive up to $25,000 for initiatives lasting up to 52 weeks — as long as seniors take the lead in planning and delivery.

“I am thrilled that, for the past 21 years, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded 43,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada,” said Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors). “This program continues to improve the quality of life of seniors in every part of the country.”

The 2025–2026 funding call

This year’s application window closes September 17, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. EDT. Eligible applicants include:

• Not-for-profit organizations
• Municipal governments
• Indigenous organizations
• Public health and educational institutions

For-profit businesses are not eligible, and all proposals must meet at least one of the NHSP’s national priorities:

• Supporting healthy aging
• Preventing senior abuse
• Celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion
• Supporting financial security

Applications are to be submitted via the Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) portal.

Ideas already making a difference

The NHSP doesn’t earmark funding for any one cultural group — but its past projects show how flexible the program can be for communities of all backgrounds, including the Indian diaspora.

Recent examples include:

• Ville de Gatineau – Collective Impact Initiative received $5 million over five years to support vulnerable seniors aged 55 and over in Gatineau. The project aims to develop and offer programs and services that help seniors better connect with others and their community.
• Parent Support Services Society of BC – Promoting Volunteerism Among Seniors: The project involves engaging seniors in mentoring roles and fostering intergenerational connections. 
• Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto – Empowering Senior Immigrant Women: a specialized initiative aimed at addressing social isolation among senior immigrant women in Toronto. The program focuses on enhancing social participation and inclusion for these seniors.

A chance to strengthen Indian voices

For Indian communities in Canada, this funding call is more than a grant opportunity — it’s a way to ensure that seniors remain active contributors, cultural custodians, and proud participants in Canada’s diverse social fabric.

With the right project proposal, Indian seniors could be at the heart of initiatives that promote well-being, prevent isolation, and share their heritage with future generations.