Youth Innovations Scale Grant to Enhance or Expand Youth-Led Projects (Canada)

Deadline: 15-Apr-2026

The Youth Innovations Scale Grant supports grassroots youth-led initiatives in Ontario to expand, scale, and deepen the impact of successful local projects. Funding of up to $150,000 per year over 2–3 years is available for groups that demonstrate strong youth leadership, community impact, and commitment to serving Indigenous and Black youth or other marginalized populations.

Overview

The Youth Innovations Scale Grant is designed to help grassroots leaders scale proven youth projects and strengthen their impact within communities. The program emphasizes youth-led leadership, community-rooted decision-making, and initiatives that address systemic barriers facing Indigenous, Black, and other marginalized youth.

Key objectives include:

• Scaling successful local initiatives to reach more youth

• Enhancing existing projects to create deeper and measurable impact

• Strengthening youth-adult partnership leadership

• Supporting projects led by and for youth who share the identities and lived experiences of participants

• Addressing systemic barriers affecting youth well-being, opportunities, and inclusion

This grant prioritizes projects that are community-rooted, youth-led, and demonstrate proven local success, providing funding and mentorship to grow sustainably.

Funding Details

• Grant term: 2–3 years

• Funding amount: Up to $150,000 per year

• Use of funds: Scaling, expanding reach, enhancing impact, youth leadership development

• Limitations: Groups can only hold one Youth Opportunities Fund grant at a time; active grantholders may apply only in the final year of current funding

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Grassroots groups that are not registered charities

• Incorporated not-for-profit organizations without share capital

• Groups based in Ontario

• Groups operating independently of larger institutions

• Projects serving youth aged 12–25, or up to 29 for youth with special needs, disabilities, mental health needs, or addictions

• Core group must be majority youth, and leadership must reflect the identities and lived experiences of the youth served

Organizational mentorship: All applicants must partner with an Organizational Mentor who provides:

• Administrative support

• Financial accountability

• Project mentoring

• Collaborative partnership

How the Program Works

1. Prepare Application: Demonstrate proven local success, community impact, and youth-led governance

2. Partnership with Mentor: Identify and confirm an Organizational Mentor

3. Submit Application: Include project plan, goals, and strategy to scale or deepen impact

4. Assessment: Applications are reviewed based on:

   • Demonstrated success and impact

   • Youth leadership and participation

   • Community relevance and alignment with systemic equity priorities

   • Sustainability and scalability potential

5. Grant Award: Successful applicants receive multi-year funding and mentorship support

Priority Areas

The program prioritizes projects that:

• Are led by Indigenous and Black youth

• Strengthen youth well-being, opportunity, and long-term impact

• Address systemic barriers to participation and growth

• Promote youth-adult partnership models that share decision-making power

• Maintain a strong connection to community needs and leadership development

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting applications without youth-led leadership or decision-making

• Applying with projects that are not proven or community-rooted

• Failing to partner with an Organizational Mentor

• Requesting funding while holding an active Youth Opportunities Fund grant (unless in final year)

• Serving a population outside the eligible youth age range

FAQ

1. Who can apply for this grant?
Grassroots groups or incorporated not-for-profits based in Ontario, led by youth or youth-adult partnerships, serving youth aged 12–25 (or up to 29 for those with special needs).

2. What is the maximum funding available?
Up to $150,000 per year for a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years.

3. Can groups with current grants apply?
Only in the final year of their active Youth Opportunities Fund grant. Groups cannot hold more than one grant simultaneously.

4. What are the key priorities for funding?
Projects led by Indigenous or Black youth, addressing systemic barriers, fostering youth leadership, and expanding proven initiatives to reach more youth.

5. What is the role of an Organizational Mentor?
To provide administrative support, financial accountability, mentoring, and act as a collaborative partner throughout the project.

6. Can projects be led solely by adults?
No. Projects must be youth-led or governed through youth-adult partnerships where youth hold decision-making power.

7. Who is ineligible?
Registered charities, larger institutions, groups outside Ontario, and initiatives not led by youth or youth-adult partnerships.

Conclusion

The Youth Innovations Scale Grant empowers youth-led grassroots groups in Ontario to scale impactful projects, strengthen youth leadership, and expand access to opportunity. With funding up to $150,000 per year and mentorship support, this program enables proven initiatives to grow sustainably while addressing systemic barriers for Indigenous, Black, and other marginalized youth.

For more information, visit Ontario Trillium Foundation.