The National Trust for Canada is seeking community groups with project ideas for its 2016 This Place Matters competition.

Ideas should contribute to the vitality of a traditional main street and enhance community pride. Local groups have the chance to raise funds, reach new audiences and compete for two cash prizes.

“Canada’s traditional main streets have enormous potential,” said Natalie Bull, executive director of the National Trust. “Main street is where people, art and culture converge and where Canada’s small businesses thrive. The 2016 This Place Matters competition will bring community partners and young people together to revitalize their main streets with projects that generate economic, social, cultural or environmental benefits for their communities.”

Eligible project groups will compete in two categories: Populations of 50,000 or fewer (Town Spotlight) and populations of more than 50,000 (City Beacon).

A winner will be declared in each category based on the number of votes received. Both winning projects will be awarded a cash prize of $40,000. Voting will be free and open to the public. Project groups will also receive one additional vote for every dollar they raise through crowdfunding.

The competition will run from October 4, 2016 to November 15, 2016. To read the complete rules and eligibility criteria, click here.