Alumni Speak Up

Joanne Rose, Our Lady of Mercy Complex Committee, Next Great Save 2024
“Participating in the National Trust’s Next Great Save competition has been an exceptional experience for the Our Lady of Mercy Complex. The exposure brought an influx of visitors, reconnecting past guests and welcoming new ones inspired by the competition. By July, we matched last year’s total attendance! Community support was extraordinary—local businesses, individuals, and even voters from as far as Honolulu and BC rallied behind us. Winning the $50,000 prize enabled us to repaint our 100-year-old structure, and a subsequent $227,000 grant in funding further restoration. This experience has been nothing short of transformative, and we are deeply grateful!”

Michael Rawley, Managing Artistic Director, SaveTheLaSalle, Next Great Save 2024
“At risk of hyperbole, being part of the Next Great Save Contest 2024 was perhaps the most exciting event in my long career in the arts. I was absolutely blown away by the support my community brought to this endeavour. I was both surprised, touched and humbled by the outpouring of support. The usual greeting of Good Morning etc. in our community was replaced by “Are you voting?” or “I voted. Did You?” all throughout the voting period.

When the 100 Women Care Kirkland Lake and Area matched our prize win, it allowed us to get our new roof. We are now a dry facility.

But, more importantly, this amazing contest brought national exposure to both our theatre and our community and that has proved invaluable. The outpouring of support also showed us that the community of Kirkland Lake is a community that values their historic buildings.”

 

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Adrien Comeau, President of Société Vieille Maison, Next Great Save 2023
“Participating in the Next Great Save was a fantastic experience. It not only galvanized our own group of volunteers to work even harder to reach our goal, but we also benefited from unprecedented national media coverage.  Winning second place, ten thousand dollars, and gaining over fifty thousand votes has allowed us to significantly leverage other funding sources.”

Competition Details

2026 Eligibility Requirements

2026 Rules and Regulations

Additional Reading

O’Keefe Ranch marks Next Great Save Victory with a Celebration

Aug 20 2025

Photo courtesy of Roger Knox, Morning Star

Celebration was in the air at the O’Keefe Ranch on August 12 as volunteers, supporters, and guests gathered to mark the Ranch’s victory in this year’s Next Great Save Competition.

Patricia Kell, CEO of the National Trust for Canada which hosted the competition, and Colin Robertson of Ecclesiastical Insurance which sponsors it were on hand to congratulate the local team on their exceptional campaign.

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Next Great Save: Where are they now?

Aug 21 2025

A weathered window of a lighthouse keeper’s house on Greenly Island, reflecting the metal, automated and new lighthouse tower in the distance, highlights the contrasting charm of the old and the new and the urgent need for repairs. Photo: Christelle Shepherd

Did you follow the Next Great Save Competition? Over nineteen days, twelve finalists captivated us with passionate pleas, inspired entertainment, and amusing entreaties, all while sharing their stories of remarkable heritage saves. They competed for the $50,000 grand prize, decided by popular vote. Organized by the National Trust for Canada and sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance, the competition ended on an inspiring note on May 6, 2024.

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Next Great Save: Sparking Heritage Excitement Nationwide

Jun 22 2023

For five weeks this past winter, saving historic places was a big news story in ten communities across the country as almost 200,000 people voted in the National Trust for Canada’s Next Great Save competition. Heritage enthusiasts from not only Canada, but Japan, France, and the United States were compelled to vote and encourage all their friends and family to support a participating historic place.

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Ecclesiastical is deeply committed to protecting the needs of organizations that enrich the lives of others; to preserving Canada’s distinct communities, cultures, and history; and to supporting initiatives that help improve the lives of people in need. The National Trust for Canada has a long-standing relationship with Ecclesiastical Insurance – our most faithful sponsor – and we are excited to be working with them to fund the Next Great Save!

All inquiries and media requests NextGreatSave@Nationaltrustcanada.ca