The Doctor Gerald Gordon Memorial Award

Program Overview

In 1995, the Atlantic Child Guidance Centre Foundation, now the Gordon Foundation for Children and Youth, established an award to honor the memory of Dr Gerald Gordon. Dr Gordon was a psychologist and the Executive Director of the centre for more than 20 years, and a strong advocate for child and adolescent mental health services. He was also keenly interested and active in theater. We continue to honor his memory through this award. The award offers an opportunity to recognize recipients who have demonstrated the wide range of creativity and energy that exists in the community that encourages children, youth and families in the development of their mental and emotional well-being. By giving recognition to these activities, the Foundation supports the creative and dedicated individuals and organizations in communities across Nova Scotia. Traditionally, one recipient is identified each year.

Purpose

The Award rewards, recognizes or facilitates individuals or groups based in NS who are furthering the objectives of the Foundation by carrying out special projects, programs, educational activities, conferences, classes or seminars on mental health related subjects that have the mental health of children and youth as their goal. Examples may include: recognition for a significant individual contribution or achievement, an artistic or other relevant activity, support for youth training or recreational programming, recognition of leadership in youth work or the arts, and the development of programs for children and youth at risk.

Award Amount

The recipient will receive $ 1,000 and an engraved plaque.

Nomination Process and Deadline

Completed nominations are due January 31st of each year. Nominations must be submitted in an electronic format. For assistance or inquiries contact us at info@gfns.ca. Internal nominations are also possible.

In February, annually, the Foundation will review all nominations and send out written notifications in early March. The Recipient of the Award will be invited to the Foundation's Annual General Meeting for a formal presentation. Presentations may also be arranged at special events organized by the nominating organization.

Speakers Program

The Foundation contributes up to $3000 per application to sponsor a limited number of speakers each year for registered charities, non-government, non-profit organizations, conferences, annual meetings, educational institutes and workshops. The following criteria are used by the Board to help in its decisions:

1. The topic is relevant to the mental or emotional well-being of children and youth.
2. The speaker has achieved recognized expertise in his or her field of interest.
3. Recognition of the Foundation is given in all introductions of the speaker.
4. The event is well publicized in the following ways:

   a. The speaker is made available to the print and broadcast media.
   b. Efforts will be made to reach as wide an audience as possible, such as local and regional experts, professionals, organizations and their staff, and members of the general public.

Nova Scotia is not directly on the travel routes of major speakers and trainers. The Gordon Foundation’s Speakers Program provides funding to defray some of the cost of bringing new educational information and trainers to the province.

The beneficiaries in this project are:

• the organizers, who now have money to bring in speakers
• the participants, who have, and can afford, new educational and information opportunities
• children and youth, who benefit from the extra knowledge and skills gained by the participants
• the media, who have access to the speakers and can follow up with local stories
• the public, who learn more about issues relevant to children’s mental health

Availability

The funding is available to individuals, schools and organizations working with children and youth.

Grant Amount

Grants are to a maximum of $3,000 per application.

Application Process and Deadline

Applications must be submitted in an electronic format. For assistance or inquiries contact us at info@gfns.ca.

Special Projects

The Gordon Foundation contributes funds for special projects that reflect and support the mental health and well-being of children and youth.

Examples of successful Special Projects applications include:

• a special “sensory” room developmentally appropriate for children and youth with special needs;
• the “Youth in Care” newsletter project;
• publishing the “Peace” CD of the Atlanticview Elementary School;
• productions of The Mermaid Theatre;
• school trips for urban students to visit rural communities.

Availability

The funding is available to individuals, schools and organizations working with children and youth.

Grant Amount

The Gordon Foundation contributes up to $3,000 for the Special Projects.

Application Process and Deadline

Applications must be submitted in an electronic format. For assistance or inquiries contact us at info@gfns.ca.

Disbursement of Funds

The general guidelines for the disbursement of the funds will be that one half will be available in advance of the speaker’s presentation or commencement of the project and the second half after the presentation or conclusion of the project upon receipt of a summary report within 60 days noting:

1. Media contacts; number of participants
2. Size and background of audience
3. Brief financial report
4. Other key facts regarding the event or project

Note

Applicants are advised that the Board does not meet in June, July or August.

Applications Calendar

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Funding Streams	Intake Dates	Review Dates	Notification
Dr. Gerald Gordon Memorial Award	January 31	February 28	March 31
Speakers Program	March 31 September 30 December 31	April 30 October 31 January 31	All applications will be notified within 10 business days of the Board’s decision.
Special Projects	March 31 September 30 December 31	April 30 October 31 January 31	All applications will be notified within 10 business days of the Board’s decision.

The Gordon Foundation funds initiatives that are committed to improving the mental and emotional health of children and youth in Nova Scotia.

The Gordon Foundation for Children and Youth has two project/program funding streams and one award for which nominations are accepted.

Dr. Gerald Gordon Memorial Award

The Dr. Gerald Gordon Memorial Award recognize or facilitate individuals or groups who are furthering one of the objectives of the Foundation by carrying out special projects, programs, educational activities, conferences, classes or seminars on mental health related subjects that have the mental health of children and young people their goal.

Individuals or initiatives are nominated for this Award. Nominations are accepted from individuals or organizations.

Maximum contribution - $1,000 per nominee. Download an application HERE.

Speakers Program

The Gordon Foundation contributes funds to sponsor a limited number of speakers each year. The following criteria are used by The Gordon Foundation Board to help in its funding decision:

1. The topic is relevant to the mental or emotional well-being of children and youth.
2. The speaker has achieved recognized expertise in his or her field of interest.
3. Recognition of the Foundation is given in all introductions of the speaker.
4. The event is well publicized in the following ways:

   a. The speaker is made available to the print and broadcast media.
   b. Efforts will be made to reach as wide an audience as possible, such as local and regional experts, professionals, organizations and their staff, and members of the general public.

Maximum contribution - $3,000 per application. Download an application HERE.

Special Projects

The Gordon Foundation contributes funds for special projects that reflect and support the mental health and well-being of children and youth.

Maximum contribution - $3,000 per application. Download an application HERE.

Application Process

• Read each program or project funding criteria
• Determine which funding stream aligns with your initiative
• Complete the appropriate application or nomination form
• Submit completed application (in PDF format) to info@gfns.ca
• Notification of receipt of application will be within 10 business days

Application Calendar

>

Funding Streams	Intake Dates	Review Dates	Notification
Dr. Gerald Gordon Memorial Award	January 31	February 28	March 31
Speakers Program	March 31 September 30 December 31	April 30 October 31 January 31	All applications will be notified within 10 business days of the Board’s decision.
Special Projects	March 31 September 30 December 31	April 30 October 31 January 31	All applications will be notified within 10 business days of the Board’s decision.

Recent Recipients

Congratulations to the Gordon Foundation’s most recent recipients:

Special Projects

Organization	Project
Phoenix Youth Programs	Phoenix Community Choir
HomeBridge Youth Services	Expressions Project
The Empathy Factory	"Turning Tides" 2012 conference workshops
Musquodoboit Valley Education Center	School Peace song- CD
AboutFace Craniofacial Family Society	NS camp for children and youth with facial differences.

Speakers Program

Organization	Project
Bridgeway Academy	Speaker-Sir Ken Robinson and Bill Strickland at the “Turning Tides” 2012 conference
HeartWood Center for Community Youth Development	Speaker - Hannah Taylor, Lady Bug Foundation at "Do Your Part National Conference on Positive Youth Development"
Autism Nova Scotia	Speaker - Dr. Hénault - talk on tools to educate youth on the Autism Spectrum Disorder about sexuality

Dr. Gerald Gordon Memorial Award

Organization	Project
CMHA Colchester East Hants Branch	"Acting Out" Youth drama club
Zuppa Circus Theatre	Theatre camps for children and youth
Camp Triumph	Summer Camp supporting children with chronically ill or disabled family members
Laing House	Arts infusion projects for youth