Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The Children’s Grief Foundation of Canada (CGFC)

The Children’s Grief Foundation of Canada (CGFC) is a national charitable foundation dedicated to improving supports for children and youth who are grieving the loss of a significant person. Rather than delivering front-line services itself, the foundation raises donations from individuals, companies and community partners, and redistributes this funding to Canadian registered charities that run grief-support programs, camps, counselling services and related initiatives for children and their families.

CGFC focuses on reducing the financial barriers that limit access to bereavement care. Its grants help develop or expand community-based programs, improve geographic reach—including rural and underserved regions—and support innovation and research in childhood bereavement and mental health. Funded projects showcased on the site include grief camps, creative arts and storytelling programs, and specialized supports for neurodivergent teens.

The foundation runs structured grant cycles twice per year, typically in the spring and fall. Registered charities in Canada, or organizations affiliated with a registered charity, can apply for project funding of up to $4,000. Grants are generally for up to one year and are intended to have a substantial impact on the children’s bereavement sector, whether through direct services, education, outreach or research.

Eligible expenses include project staff salaries and benefits, program resources and materials, professional services, training, rent and a modest allocation for administrative costs. Ineligible costs include capital and ongoing operating expenses, projects outside Canada, religious or political activities, deficits and general fundraising. This structure ensures that grants are directed to time-limited, outcome-focused initiatives.

Applications are reviewed by the Children’s Grief Foundation of Canada against published criteria. Assessors consider alignment with grant guidelines, potential impact on grieving children and families, realism of the proposed budget and work plan, clarity of evaluation mechanisms and timelines, as well as how inclusion, accessibility and sustainability are addressed.

Successful applicants enter into a funding agreement with CGFC that specifies project details, eligible uses of funds and reporting obligations. Funded organizations must provide interim and final reports within set timelines, documenting activities, measurable outcomes and overall results. This reporting framework supports accountability and helps the foundation understand and communicate the broader impact of its grant portfolio.

CGFC prioritizes children and youth up to age 18 who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or other significant person. Many funded initiatives focus on peer support, resilience-building and grief literacy for both children and the adults who support them. The foundation also recognizes the distinct needs of specific populations, for example neurodivergent teens or families in rural communities, and funds projects that tailor approaches to these realities.

By connecting bereavement organizations, community groups and institutions, the Children’s Grief Foundation of Canada helps build a more coordinated network of grief resources. Its grants complement limited public healthcare resources by enabling preventive, community-based supports that can mitigate long-term mental health risks for grieving youth across Canada.