Community Investment - Before You Apply

Responsible Care

Communities Community Investment – Before You Apply

We can’t wait to learn more about your organization, program or initiative. However, too many applications come in that do not fit our criteria and we unfortunately cannot accept them. Reading through these guidelines now can save you valuable time by ensuring your application is eligible before you apply.

Note, eligibility does not guarantee support. It’s only the first step in determining the value and opportunity of a funding request. Please read through our guidelines of what we do/don’t support.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for funding from NOVA Chemicals, requests for support are screened against defined criteria. We support organizations and causes that are working to advance three core focus areas aligned with NOVA Chemicals’ values and business strategy We seek to be a catalyst for:

  • Inspiring Tomorrow’s Innovators (STEM, education, trades)
  • Strong, Thriving Communities (basic needs, safety, health)
  • Environmental Stewardship

Successful requests generally are:

  • Registered charitable/non-profit organizations (U.S. applicants must include a current W9 with their application)
  • Programs that support an identified community need and are beneficial to multiple stakeholders
  • Organizations that directly serve the communities where we have operations

We like to see:

  • Clearly articulated need/gap and benefits to the communities served
  • Measurable outputs and outcomes associated with your organization and initiative
  • Organizations in sound financial condition (please provide financial statements and/or program/initiative budgets)

Limitations and exclusions

Except in special circumstances as determined by NOVA Chemicals, our support is typically not:

  • Directed toward capital expenditures
  • Directed to national or international initiatives  
  • Available for individual United Way-funded programs supported by the umbrella community campaigns
  • Available to support non-company sponsored fundraising initiatives or events, including auction or prize items
  • Directed to religious organizations unless their programs benefit members of society as a whole
  • Available for initiatives benefitting limited audiences versus the broader community (e.g.. Make-a-Wish, individual K-12 school facilities/assets)
  • Provided for travel or accommodation expenses
  • Committed for longer than a three-year period

Our preference is to directly fund programming focused on achieving outcomes as opposed to sponsoring fundraising events.

We do not fund the following:

  • Recreational &/or sport initiatives, teams, competitions or tournaments
  • Individuals or individual pursuits
  • K-12 private schools
  • School-affiliated orchestras, bands, choirs, drama groups, yearbooks, class parties or class/team projects
  • Student or alumni associations
  • Service clubs and professional/technical associations funded through fees
  • Political groups or candidates
  • Organizations focusing on advocacy work
  • Film, video, television or book productions
  • GoFundMe or similar crowdfunding campaigns
  • Organizations or projects that conflict with NOVA Chemicals’ interests and values
  • Organizations that discriminate based on culture, gender, sexuality, colour, language, national or social origin, economic status, religion, political or other conscientiously held beliefs

What to expect:

Are you eligible based on the above criteria? If yes, you can move forward with your application.

  • NOVA Chemicals’ Community Investment team reviews applications quarterly, with intakes closing February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30 annually. We strive to inform successful applicants of their approval within 90 days of the date we received their request.
    • *Requests for signature investments ($50,000 and up) should apply a minimum of six months ahead of when funding is required.
  • If you submit an application that requires immediate attention, we cannot guarantee it will be reviewed or approved in time.
  • Please note that due to a high volume of requests we can only accept one request per organization each fiscal year.
  • We only accept online applications.