Eligibility Criteria

 

During the Next Great Save Competition, project groups compete for public votes to win cash prizes for projects that will protect, adapt, renew, or improve the historic place for the future, and inspire us all in the process. 

The Next Great Save voting competition launches on April 7, 2026, and ends on April 24, 2026. 

 

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 from within Canada.
  2. 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.
  3. Non-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. 
  • Please note that lead project groups are required to provide documentation proving their eligibility for the Next Great Save Competition. 
  • They will also need to provide 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. 
  • Lead project groups will also be required to provide their most recent audited or unaudited financial statements (prepared for the last closed financial year). 

 

PROJECT ELIGIBILITY:

Note: A “historic place” is any place with local cultural or historical value to the community. Formal heritage designation is not a requirement for the Next Great Save Competition. 

  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.
  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 1st place winner, the project group must be in a position to demonstrate progress on the project within six months of winning $50,000 and will have the opportunity to present their winning project and its progress at the National Trust Conference in Kitchener-Waterloo, October 2026. 
 
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 protection and promotion of the place’s heritage values.
  4. The Next Great Save project’s potential social, economic, or cultural benefit for the community.
  5. The Next Great Save project’s alignment with the following key goals:
    1. Reducing environmental impact and addressing climate change.
    2. Promoting inclusion and working in collaboration with diverse communities.
    3. Addressing needs in the community such as housing affordability or youth engagement.
    4. Reaching more people through access, experiences, education, or inspiration.
    5. Championing heritage restoration and traditional craftsmanship. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 
  • All Next Great Save projects must be submitted by January 27 no later than 2pm 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 Competition.
  • The project groups admitted to compete in the Next Great Save Competition will be informed on February 20, 2026, 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 www.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.
  • See the Rules & Regulations for more information about the Next Great Save Competition.