Grant and Funding Programs Offered by FES – Finance Engage Sustain (FES)

FES – Finance Engage Sustain is a national, youth-led and youth-serving charity dedicated to accelerating climate action in Canada by putting financial resources and practical support directly into the hands of young leaders. Based in so‑called Canada, it focuses on 13‑30‑year‑olds who are organizing local, youth-led initiatives that advance climate mitigation, adaptation, and environmental justice.

FES operates as a grantmaker and capacity builder. It pools contributions from individual donors and institutional funders into the FES Fund and redistributes this money through youth‑designed granting streams. Diverse youth committees decide on recipients of FES grants, ensuring that funding decisions reflect youth priorities and lived realities. Since its inception, FES has committed millions of dollars to nearly 200 projects, helping more than 130,000 Canadians engage in climate solutions.

The organization supports youth organizations and informal groups not only by funding project costs but also by investing in organizational development and leadership growth. Its portfolio includes core initiatives such as The Youth Harbour, which offers flexible, trust‑based funding, services, and resources to the youth‑led climate movement, and N:OW for Net‑Zero, which equips students and educators to implement meaningful climate action in schools and communities.

Funding is directed toward youth‑led projects that deliver environmental, educational, social, and community benefits while building a more climate‑resilient and fair Canada. FES emphasizes equity and accessibility, aiming for a growing share of its support to reach underrepresented and equity‑deserving groups, including Indigenous youth and communities most impacted by the climate crisis. Grants range from smaller access supports that enable participation in key events to larger action grants that sustain multi‑year local initiatives.

FES is a registered charity and holds special consultative status with multiple United Nations bodies, including ECOSOC, UNEP, UNFCCC, and UNCCD. It is audited annually, maintains several board and advisory committees—such as an Indigenous Youth Advisory Circle, Youth Steering Committee, and Equity, Risk, and Projects committees—and commits to a 50% youth quota on its board.

The organization publishes annual reports, financial statements, impact reports, and strategic plans, and embeds equity targets—such as increasing the share of grants led by equity‑deserving groups. An explicit equity statement and regular “lessons learned” reporting underpin its commitment to justice, diversity, and inclusion in all programs and granting streams.

By combining capital, coaching, and confidence‑building, FES seeks to ensure that young leaders can sustain their engagement in climate work beyond age 30. Alumni report that FES support significantly influences their career paths toward sustainability and strengthens leadership skills. Through its national network and partnerships, FES helps youth secure additional external funding, amplifies their stories, and contributes to a resilient, youth‑powered climate movement across Canada.