Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Association des Scouts du Canada (ASC)

The Association des Scouts du Canada (ASC) is the official francophone scouting organization recognized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement. While its primary mission is educational and youth‑focused, the ASC also plays a concrete role as a grant provider. It manages financial support programs that enable young people and local scout groups to carry out community projects and make scouting more accessible across Canada.

The flagship program “Un coup de pouce à ton coup de main” (#CoupDePouce) offers micro‑grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 for community projects led by ASC members aged 15 to 30. Eligible initiatives must take place in Canada, respond to a community need, and may cover expenses such as equipment, transportation, meals, promotion, venue rental, professional fees and other project costs. A youth‑led selection committee, in collaboration with the national centre, reviews applications on a rolling basis and allocates a defined funding envelope for each year of the program.

In addition to covering project costs and reimbursing eligible expenses, the ASC provides tools and training in project management and, when desired, personalized support from staff or partners. This combination of financial backing and capacity‑building helps young people design, implement and evaluate meaningful volunteer initiatives in fields such as environment, social inclusion, culture, education and health.

Through its projects & innovations portfolio, the ASC has launched a “Programme d’accessibilité au scoutisme”, described as a new funding program and accessibility fund. Its purpose is to offer financial support so that any young person who wishes to join a scout group can do so regardless of family income or financial constraints. The site also highlights the broader project “Tout le monde scoute”, focused on inclusion and accessibility, which is supported by public partners and aims to reduce barriers for youth with disabilities.

The ASC regularly collaborates with governments and institutional partners, for example with Service jeunesse Canada for youth service grants, or the Gouvernement du Québec and the ministère de l’Éducation for specialized programs. These partnerships increase the funds available for grants and allow the ASC to deploy national initiatives that include financial assistance, educational resources and recognition tools for participants.

For the Coup de pouce micro‑grant program, the ASC outlines clear assessment criteria such as alignment with participants’ motivations, teamwork, social impact, project feasibility and sound financial management. Projects must present a realistic plan, a clear budget and a measurable benefit for the community. Successful applicants then submit a final report and supporting invoices to receive reimbursement or, in some cases, an advance on costs.

As a registered charitable non‑profit, the ASC publishes governance documents, financial reports and strategic plans through its internal library. A national board of directors oversees strategy, risk management and long‑term financial viability, while district‑level committees manage local budgets and initiatives. This structure ensures that funding programs are administered transparently and remain aligned with the organization’s mission to help francophone youth reach their full potential and contribute to a better world.