The Next Great Save Competition
$65,000 in cash prizes!
The Next Great Save Competition offers an incredible opportunity to win $65,000 in cash prizes to help protect cherished heritage places! Canadians have a deep love for their historic sites and rise to the challenge when these treasures are at risk. This competition empowers communities with a $50,000 Grand Prize, generously provided by Ecclesiastical Insurance, along with two runner-up prizes of $10,000 and $5,000. These funds will support projects that protect, adapt, renew, or improve heritage places for the future—while inspiring us all along the way!
Congratulations to our 2025 Winners!
1st place – Historic O’Keefe Ranch, Vernon, BC
2nd Place – Tam Kung Temple, Victoria, BC
3rd Place – Sharon Assembly Church, Yarmouth, NS
Meet the 2025 Finalists
From a historic theatre to a 19th-century ranch, this year’s finalists are all cultural landmarks in Canada’s rich history. The finalists have proposed innovative projects to transform historic places to better serve their modern communities, including initiatives to advance belonging, public engagement, and climate adaptation:
- Battle Harbour Marconi Towers – Battle Harbour, NL
- Dove Brook Church – Dove Brook, NL
- Empyrean Cemetery – Wildwood, AB
- Historic O’Keefe Ranch – Vernon, BC
- Hourie House – Portage la Prairie, MB
- Maison Doucet Hennessy House – Bathurst, NB
- Sharon Assembly Church – Yarmouth, NS
- Mark’s Heritage Church – Port de Grave, NL
- Sylvester’s Church – Nipigon, ON
- Tam Kung Temple – Victoria, BC
- The Grand Theatre – Indian Head, SK
- Willowbank School of Restoration Arts – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Voting is now closed – Congratulations to our winners!
Questions? Reach out to us via email nextgreatsave@nationaltrustcanada.ca
About our Title Sponsor
Ecclesiastical Insurance is an award-winning commercial insurance company and a proud part of the Benefact Group – a charity owned, international family of financial service companies that gives all available profits to charity and good causes. Ecclesiastical provides specialist insurance solutions to the arts, culture and heritage community, faith organizations, retirement living, educational institutions, registered charities, and non-profit organizations. Protecting Canada’s historic places, both large and small, with regional offices in Dartmouth, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.
What is the competition all about?
The competition is an exciting opportunity to support and highlight meaningful preservation in Canada. Registered charities and non-profits with plans to protect a heritage site and give it a vibrant, community-enhancing role are invited to apply. By submitting a completed application, you could become a finalist and secure the funding and recognition needed to bring your vision to life!
Competition Timeline
December 17 – January 24
Community groups develop a submission with details of the heritage place they want to be Canada’s Next Great Save. Ten to twelve exciting projects will be shortlisted and featured in public voting to win $65,000 in prizes as the Next Great Save.
February 14, 2025
Competition finalists are contacted.
February 15 – March 15, 2025
Competition finalists put together their case to convince voters their project should be voted the Next Great Save using photos, text, and video.
March 31 – April 17, 2025
People across Canada cast votes to determine the Next Great Save winners, who will receive $65,000 in cash prizes.
April 17, 2025
The National Trust for Canada and Ecclesiastical announce the winners of the Next Great Save competition.
What is a Next Great Save?
A Next Great Save is a project that successfully protects, adapts, renews or improves a heritage place in a way that extends its useful life, and more, such as:
- responds to new pressures and community needs such as climate change or affordable housing;
- reduces environmental impact; and/or
- reflects diversity and inclusion of new voices and new stories.
