Family Innovations Test Grant (Canada)

Deadline: 9-Apr-25

Applications are now open for the Family Innovations Test Grant to support grassroots groups led by parents, guardians or caregivers to test new ideas, explore different approaches, or research important issues.

By investing in grassroots projects that are community-led and community-designed, opportunities are created for families to develop culturally anchored solutions to issues faced by people like them, and empower parents, guardians and caregivers to improve their social and economic stability. Through shared identities, culture and traditions, families can find ways to connect and create networks of support to navigate social systems and services that present obstacles to their success through a Family Innovations Grant.

With a Family Innovations Test grant, parents, guardians and caregivers can:

• Try out a new idea that has the potential to make a positive impact on the wellbeing of parents, guardians and caregivers
• Research, learn and understand more about a specific topic or issue
• Bring parents, guardians and caregivers together to discuss an issue and explore new approaches collectively

Funding Information

• Amount awarded (per year): Maximum $100,000
• Term length: Minimum 1 year, Maximum 3 years

Outcomes

• Create opportunities for Indigenous and/or Black parents/guardians and caregivers to help families build strong community and cultural connections, strengthen relationships, and heal from trauma
• Supporting parents, guardians, and caregivers to navigate and access resources for economic stability
• Supporting parents, guardians and caregivers to effectively navigate, access, and influence systems that affect family wellbeing

Eligibility Criteria

• YOF supports projects led by parents, guardians and caregivers who share identities, experiences, and face the same systemic barriers as the parents, guardians and caregivers who will benefit from the project.
• Eligible groups
  • A grassroots group that is not registered as a charity or as an incorporated not-for-profit
    • The work of a parent, guardian and caregiver-led grassroots group is community-led and community-inspired. Grassroots group means that core group members share identities and lived experiences with the parents, guardians and caregivers who will benefit from the project.
    • If you are a grassroots group from a First Nation, you are eligible to apply. Your group cannot have more than 50% of its members as part of the band office or band council.
  • An organization incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction
    • This includes a Chartered Community Council, operating under the Métis Nation of Ontario, or Inuit communities that are registered as not-for-profit corporations without share capital in Canada.
    • The organization cannot have more than $50,000 in gross revenue in each of the last two fiscal years. Revenue also needs to be independently managed.
    • Board members and day-to-day management must also be parents, guardians and caregivers.
    • The group is led by parents, guardians and caregivers.
• Group requirements
  • Groups need to meet the following requirements to be eligible for funding.
    • Reflect communities served
      • Core group members (including board members, where applicable) reflect the identities and experiences of the parents, guardians and caregivers they are working with and for.
      • YOF prioritizes projects led by and for Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) and Black parents, guardians and caregivers.
    • Core group
      • The group has at least three core group members.
      • More than 50% of core group members need to be at arm’s length relationship to each other. An ‘arm’s length’ relationship means board members and group members are not married or related to each other, do not work as business partners or are otherwise in a relationship where interests may be compromised.
      • Parents, guardians and caregivers must make up more than 50% of the core group.
      • The group is based in Ontario and the work will benefit parents, guardians, and caregivers in Ontario.
      • The group exists independently of a larger organization (other not-for-profit), charitable organization or municipality, university, school, religious institution and/or hospital.
      • The group agrees to work with an Organizational Mentor and has autonomy to choose their Organizational Mentor, design the project, identify group members, and plan for the future.
• Note
  • Groups can only apply for one Youth Opportunities Fund grant at a time.
  • If your group has an active Youth Opportunities Fund grant, you can only apply for funding if you are in the last year of your active grant.

Ineligible Groups

• The following are not eligible to apply:
  • Registered charities
  • Religious entities established for the observation of religious beliefs, including, but not limited to, churches, temples, mosques and synagogues.
  • Municipalities
  • Groups/projects based at an existing organization (not-for-profit or for profit)
  • Groups specifically designed to serve parents, guardians, and caregivers through committees or clubs of institutions, including municipalities, universities, schools, and hospitals
  • Groups looking to design programming for children
  • For-profit organizations or businesses
  • Individuals

For more information, visit OTF.