Deadline: 15-Mar-23
If you had up to US$10,000 to make your school better for 2SLGBTQ+ students, what would you do? If, you are interested then apply now.
It Gets Better looking to fund projects that uplift, empower, and connect 2SLGBTQ+ youth in schools in all 13 provinces and territories. Do you want to install a mural highlighting all identities in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, boost your library’s range of literature from 2SLGBTQ+ authors, or help your GSA fund your first-ever Pride Week? They want to help you do it!
Grants of up to US$10,000 will be awarded from a US$130,000 fund to at least one secondary school in every Canadian province and territory. They want to support educators, administrators, and 2SLGBTQ+ clubs that prioritize the empowerment and wellbeing of 2SLGBTQ+ youth while at school. The grants are funded by the US-based It Gets Better Project, with financial support from Aerie and American Eagle and operational support by It Gets Better Canada, a registered Canadian charity.
There are the examples of projects, and not limited to the following. Projects could include:
- School-wide Projects
- Build a 2SLGBTQ+ section for books and other resources in your school library (For example: Build an Inclusive Library w/ Welcoming Schools)
- Paint a mural or other art installation in your school highlighting local 2SLGBTQ+ history (For example: Install History Panels w/ ONE Archives Foundation)
- Provide 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive training for your entire school staff (For example: Support Professional Development w/ GLSEN or Provide 2SLGBTQ+ History Webinars for Educators w/ ONE Archives Foundation)
- Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Projects
- Launch your school’s first GSA
- Install a school garden or gender affirming closet that supports the GSA
- Provide leadership training for your GSA student leaders (For example: Provide 2SLGBTQ+ History Webinars for Students w/ ONE Archives Foundation)
- Community Projects
- Organize a school float for your city’s Pride Parade
- Help establish a student-focused program with a local 2SLGBTQ+ center or nonprofit
- Establish a partnership between the 2SLGBTQ+ students at your school with 2SLGBTQ+ seniors in your area.
Funding Information
- Requested Grant Amount: US$10,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- All grant applicants must demonstrate the following criteria in their application:
- School is a public and/or charter secondary (middle, junior high or high)) school recognized by your province that serves students between 13-18 years old.
- Clear demonstration that funding will effectively support the school’s 2SLGBTQ+ students and educators.
- Clear student/youth participation in the planning and execution of the proposed project; all applications must include at least one student leader and one faculty advisor as signatories.
- Unique project plan that must be executed within one school year, demonstrating a clear understanding of the needs of 2SLGBTQ+ students at that school, as well as measurable objectives/impact.
- Limited to one application per school.
Eligibility Questions
- Is your school located in Canada?
- Is your school a public or charter secondary (middle, junior high or high) school?
- Will this grant support 2SLGBTQ+students and educators at your school?
- Will your grant project successfully include student/youth participation in the planning and execution of the proposed project?
- Do you have a project plan that can be executed within one school year?
- Will this grant fund research, political activities, scholarships, or the needs of a single student (NOTE: These types of activities will NOT receive funding.)?
Priority Criteria
- Grants will be prioritized to schools that demonstrate the following additional criteria:
- Diverse student population (ex. 50% or more of all students are students of colour).
- Supportive environment for 2SLGBTQ+ students (including Two-Spirit, trans students, queer students of colour, queer students with disabilities, etc.) through resources, policies, curriculum, mand more.
- Project plan that incorporates broader community impact and involvement.
- Project will be targeted towards a primarily francophone or Indigenous population.
- Project will be targeted towards a rural, remote and/or northern community.
For more information, visit IT Gets Better Youth Grant.