FAQs
The Helderleigh Foundation is a private foundation established in 1992. Its Mission is to improve the physical health and wellness of Canadians. We support applied nutrition, nutrition literacy and the consumption of pulses in Canada. Based in Toronto and funding partnerships primarily in Ontario, the Foundation operates through volunteers and supports no full-time staff. Learn more.
The Helderleigh Nutrition Application Fund is a partnership between the Foundation and George Brown College Centre (GBC) Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts (CHCA) and its food innovation and research studio (FIRSt) to advance applied nutrition and healthy eating in Ontario, which may also benefit other parts of Canada.
The Helderleigh Foundation has committed $400,000 to be disbursed between 2015 and 2018 for nutrition and innovative health-related applied research projects. HNAF supports these studies in partnerships with health agencies, hospitals, universities, colleges, schools and municipalities. We fund between four and ten grants of $15,000 to $30,000 annually, and will even consider larger projects that could have a significant impact.
The Helderleigh Foundation has committed $400,000 to be disbursed between 2015 and 2018 for nutrition and innovative health-related applied research projects. HNAF supports these studies in partnerships with health agencies, hospitals, universities, colleges, schools and municipalities. We fund between four and ten grants of $15,000 to $30,000 annually, and will even consider larger projects that could have a significant impact.
The Foundation typically provides grants for specific short-term projects, with a maximum granting period of three years. Only initiatives that align with The Foundation’s granting approach and fall within one of these three funding areas are eligible for funding.
1. Applied Nutrition
Evidence-based meal plans and recipes that reduce the burden of chronic disease such as obesity, diabetes, heart and cardiovascular diseases, several forms of cancer, dysphagia, and osteoporosis.
2. Nutrition Literacy
Support of initiatives aligned with Health Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy, and Ontario’s Food Literacy & Skills Directive. This may include production of websites, training modules and other forms of educational dissemination.
3. Consumption of Pulses
That is, increased awareness and consumption of pulses in our diet. Canada is a world leader in the production of pulses. They are nutrient dense, high in protein and fibre, with a very low fat content, and a lower cost, healthier alternative to consumption of animal-based proteins. Learn more.
1. Applied Nutrition
Evidence-based meal plans and recipes that reduce the burden of chronic disease such as obesity, diabetes, heart and cardiovascular diseases, several forms of cancer, dysphagia, and osteoporosis.
2. Nutrition Literacy
Support of initiatives aligned with Health Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy, and Ontario’s Food Literacy & Skills Directive. This may include production of websites, training modules and other forms of educational dissemination.
3. Consumption of Pulses
That is, increased awareness and consumption of pulses in our diet. Canada is a world leader in the production of pulses. They are nutrient dense, high in protein and fibre, with a very low fat content, and a lower cost, healthier alternative to consumption of animal-based proteins. Learn more.
- Fund raising campaigns
- General building funds, not specific to program delivery
- Bursaries and scholarships not related to its Mission
- General capital campaigns
- Deficit financing
- Emergency funds other than for victims of natural disasters in need of nutrition
- Endowments and Chairs
- General operating funds support
- Public policy research and advocacy outside of its Mission
- The advancement of religious organizations and schools
- Poverty relief assisted programs, including community kitchens
- Assistance for the sexually/physically abused
- Spousal and child abuse programs
- Assistance for the mentally challenged
- Substance abuse programs
- The arts
- Individuals
- Projects delivered outside of Canada
The HNAF is intended to focus on advancing current food nutrition research in an innovative way. Potential projects will stimulate targeted public interest, enhance specific health and nutrition dimensions for consumers, as well as provide opportunities for GBC faculty and student researchers to participate in the research work and generate measurable results to advance nutrition.
Potential outputs may take the form of recipes, menu development, nutritional information, and custom training and market research results. These must be disseminated for easy public access as meaningful resources.
Not-for-profit organizations, charitable organizations, the public sector and the broader public sector (e.g. post-secondary educational institutions; hospitals)
Projects are to be completed within six months of the approval of the application.
HNAF anticipates that between four and six grants will be awarded on an annual basis. It is expected that the size of grants will be in the range of $15,000 – $30,000 each. Applicants are expected to contribute a minimum of 25% of the project costs as matching funds (cash and/or in-kind)
Pulses are superfoods, the edible seeds of certain legumes. Dried peas, edible beans, lentils and chickpeas are the most common varieties of pulses. The word pulse refers to the dried seed only. So, fresh beans or peas are not considered pulses.
Pulses are rich in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. They are dense with nutrients, but contain relatively few calories. Moreover pulses have almost zero fat.
- Eating pulses helps reduce your bad cholesterol. Pulses feature two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. The soluble helps lower blood cholesterol and maintain blood sugar levels, while the insoluble aids your digestion and regularity.
- Pulses are especially helpful for anyone on a vegetarian or vegan diet because they typically contain around two times the protein of whole grains cereals.
- Pulses feature a “low glycemic index”. Meaning? After consuming them, you won’t experience a sudden surge in your blood sugar levels.
- Pulses are relatively inexpensive. Small wonder they are used for a variety of reasons by many cultures worldwide.
- Pulses produce a relatively small environmental footprint, especially compared to sources of animal protein. When you choose pulses, you promote a more sustainable economy and ecology.
- Canada is a leader in growing pulses. When you support the consumption of pulses, you’re supporting Canadian jobs.
It starts with revising Canada’s Food Guide by 2018 — much of it is dated — but involves several other important steps:
- Protecting vulnerable populations through the restricting of commercial marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages
- Strengthening labeling and product claims, updating the ingredients lists and nutrition facts tables on food and beverages containers
- Promoting new front-of-package nutrition information, particularly concerning sugars, sodium and saturated fat
- Reducing sodium content and elimination of industrially produced trans-fats in foods
- Increasing access to and availability of nutritious foods for isolated northern communities.