The Halifax Assistance Fund (HAF) looks to make catalytic investments, over a defined period of years, that help to establish important and innovative projects that improve the lives of those in greatest need in our community.  HAF has not tended to provide funding for salaries, but has been able to fund most other things (food, clothing, equipment, necessities, etc.). In particular, we focus our efforts on three groups, especially when their needs are not being met through other programming:
1. Youth 16–19 years of age experiencing or at-risk of homelessness who, without intervention and/or support, risk living in poverty for years; 
2. Single adults struggling with pervasive issues relating to mental health, addiction, violence, criminal justice and/or physical illness; and/or
3. Single mothers with young children who also may fall into the previous two categories. 

In addition, the HAF is willing to consider providing “emergency funds” for a period of time to help service providers to meet pressing, unfunded basic needs of their clients (such as nutrition, heating, shelter, etc.).  In return, HAF asks applicant organizations to provide a report on how the emergency funds were disbursed to clients (e.g., what, how much, when).  These data enable informed discussions as to possible sustainable substitutions for the emergency funding.  Accordingly, all applicants for HAF contributions to emergency funds must include in their application a commitment and practical plan to gather and report to HAF, accurate, verifiable disbursement data as it relates to all HAF emergency funding the applicant may receive.