Closed
Source verified July 10, 2026
Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund
Supports community-led youth and family innovation
Offered by
Latest source updateLast Update: July 10, 2026Latest change: The Youth Opportunities Fund now shows support-oriented changes on its Expression of Interest pages, with application questions and some direct contact links removed or replaced.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 10, 2026
Latest change: The Youth Opportunities Fund now shows support-oriented changes on its Expression of Interest pages, with application questions and some direct contact links removed or replaced.
Youth Opportunities Fund application pages updated
The Youth Innovations Test Grant and Youth Innovations Scale grant Expression of Interest pages no longer display the detailed application question sets; they now mainly direct applicants to support and a general Contact us page. On the Scale page, a direct application-specific email link was removed, and the visible purpose shifted away from application content toward support information. The test grant page also removed the Support Centre email and phone details, while the main grant overview and funding priorities shown on Youth Opportunities Fund remain the same. The core target audience and stream descriptions are still present, but the application-facing content now points users to support rather than a full intake form.
Funding available
$ 250,000
Deadline
March 11, 2026
Opened October 15, 2025
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Youth Opportunities Fund supports community-led projects for youth and families in Ontario through innovation, scaling, and systems work. It prioritizes Indigenous and Black communities facing systemic barriers, with funding available for experimental, scaling, and systems innovation streams.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Toronto
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- $ 50,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Social Services
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Children and Youth Organizations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Young adults
- Indigenous peoples
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Create and sustain safe community spaces for youth and families.
- Research important issues affecting youth or families.
- Explore approaches and test new ideas through innovation pilots.
- Scale or expand proven community projects to increase reach or impact.
- Collaborate to understand and strengthen systems so they work better for youth.
Documents Needed
- Financial statements for the most recent completed year, except municipalities and First Nations.
- A satisfactory explanation of an accumulated surplus greater than 12 months.
- A satisfactory explanation of an accumulated deficit greater than 10%, plus a deficit reduction plan.
- Consolidated financial statements for organizations with branches, chapters, subsidiary companies and/or any controlled entities.
- A formal, signed collaborative agreement.
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Application portal
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Grassroots groups led by and for Indigenous youth.
- Grassroots groups led by and for Black youth.
- Established groups led by parents, guardians and caregivers.
- Organizational Mentors applying in partnership with grassroots groups.
Eligible expenses
- Participation in capacity building opportunities that meet the specific needs and priorities of your group and align with YOF’s mandate.
- Participation in any YOF gatherings or summits, virtual or in-person.
- Lost wages, childcare and local transportation to YOF gatherings.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Collaborative readiness to do the work.
- Alignment with a YOF Priority Outcome.
- Potential impact on the youth population served.
- Benefit to the priority populations targeted by the project.
- OTF considers the applicant’s ability to manage funds, a sound financial history of responsibly managing OTF funds and grants from other funders, demonstrated need for project funds, and a diversified revenue stream when assessing overall financial health.
How to apply
- Create an OTF account to access the portal.
- Submit an Expression of Interest for the relevant stream.
- If shortlisted, complete the full grant application with an Organizational Mentor.
- For Systems Innovations, complete the required pre-application coaching call and submit Organization Information.
- Submit the application through OTF’s Granting Portal.
Processing and Agreement
- OTF will notify all applicants of the final decision and invite shortlisted groups to submit an application.
Additional information
- The Expression of Interest submission period is now closed.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund Program
What is the Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund?
The Youth Opportunities Fund supports community-led projects for youth and families in Ontario through innovation, scaling, and systems work. It prioritizes Indigenous and Black communities facing systemic barriers, with funding available for experimental, scaling, and systems innovation streams.
How much funding can be received?
Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund Funds up to $250,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was March 11, 2026.
Who is eligible for the Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund program?
To be eligible for the Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund program, you must:
The project must be led by and for priority populations.
The project must be community-led and community-designed.
For scale grants, the group must have already delivered core project activities over a two-year period.
What expenses are eligible under Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund?
Create and sustain safe community spaces for youth and families.
Research important issues affecting youth or families.
Explore approaches and test new ideas through innovation pilots.
Scale or expand proven community projects to increase reach or impact.
Collaborate to understand and strengthen systems so they work better for youth.
Who can I contact for more information about the Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund?
You can contact Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) by email at yof@otf.ca or by phone at 1 800 263-2887.
Where is the Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund available?
The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund program is available the province of Ontario.