PROJECT GROUP ELIGIBILITY:

1. Projects must be submitted by a Lead Project Group that is a not-for–profit organization, registered charity or Indigenous organization.
2. The Lead Project Group must own the historic place or have a written agreement in place with the owner or appropriate governing body, giving the Lead Project Group the responsibility and authority to carry out the proposed project.

Please note that Lead Project Groups must provide a letter of support from a recognized organization such as a downtown business improvement organization, a heritage NGO, a local service organization, band council or a municipal government confirming the viability of the Lead Project Group and an endorsement of the project as part of the application process.

PROJECT ELIGIBILITY:

1. The following types of projects are eligible:
   1. Projects that will protect, adapt, renew or improve a historic place.
   2. Projects that will connect the community and visitors to the history, heritage and cultural diversity of a historic place.

A “historic place” is any place with local cultural or historical value to the community. Formal heritage designation is not a requirement for NEXT GREAT SAVE.

2. Projects that involve protecting, adapting, renewing or improving a historic place will be expected to respect the heritage character of the site. Please refer to the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.

3. Projects must take place in Canada.

4. For the 1^st place winner, the Project Group must be in a position to demonstrate progress on the project within six months of receiving $50,000 and present their winning project and its progress at the National Trust Conference in Montréal, November 2024 (A limited number of Conference Bursaries are available to offset costs to presenters).

SELECTION OF COMPETITION PROJECTS:

Submissions to the NEXT GREAT SAVE Competition will be assessed using the following criteria:

1. The Lead Project Group’s capacity to engage their community (e.g. demonstrated experience, or a credible plan to develop, social media presence, networks, and enthusiasm).
2. The Lead Project Group’s capacity to implement the project (e.g. track record, team skills, partners).
3. The Next Great Save project’s potential social, economic, or cultural benefit for the community.
4. The Next Great Save project’s protection and promotion of the place’s heritage values.
5. The Next Great Save project’s alignment with the following key goals:
   • Reducing environmental impact and addressing climate change.
   • Promoting inclusion and working in collaboration with diverse communities.
   • Addressing needs in the community such as housing affordability or youth engagement.
   • Reaching more people through access, experiences, education, or inspiration.
   • Championing heritage restoration and traditional craftsmanship.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• All Next Great Save projects must be submitted by March 8 no later than 4pm PT.
• Projects will be selected to participate in the competition based on their eligibility and the evaluation of their submission using the criteria noted above. The National Trust reserves the right to decline Projects and Project Groups based on this assessment.
• No more than 10-12 Projects will be selected to compete in the NEXT GREAT SAVE
• The Project Groups admitted to compete in the NEXT GREAT SAVE Competition will be informed on March 22, 2024, and will be announced publicly in April.

After Project Groups have been notified, and before the competition launches:

• The National Trust will host a webinar for competing Project Groups to provide competition advice, and to answer any questions about the competition process.
• The Project Group will have the opportunity to provide updates for their project page on nextgreatsave.ca and provide additional text, photos and video.
• We ask that all shortlisted groups wait until the official announcement to share information publicly about the contest.