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Source verified October 3, 2026
Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund
Community-led youth and family support
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Latest source updateLast Update: September 28, 2026Latest change: The application questions now require a signed collaborative agreement with the submission and update several project-selection and policy acknowledgment steps.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 28, 2026
Latest change: The application questions now require a signed collaborative agreement with the submission and update several project-selection and policy acknowledgment steps.
OTF Youth Opportunities Fund application rules updated
The Systems Innovations application questions now require applicants to upload a signed collaborative agreement with the application, and the collaborative must be selected as either groundwork or implementation rather than both. The grant-term choices were also reduced to 2 or 3 years, and the system-focus list no longer includes “other.” The application acknowledgements were expanded to reference OTF’s Digital Services and Data Policy, Access to Information Policy, and Privacy Statement, replacing the prior open-data wording. Additional declaration language was added, including authorization by a signing/decision-making representative and confirmation of a formal, legally binding grant agreement if approved.
Funding available
$ 250,000
Deadline
February 17, 2027
Opened October 14, 2026
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Overview
Youth Opportunities Fund supports community-led projects that create safe spaces, empower youth and families, support career pathways, and address issues faced by communities. It offers test, scale, and systems streams for youth-led groups, parent-led groups, and collaboratives, with capacity building support for grantees.
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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
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Pilot a new project idea
- Research an issue or new concept
- Strategize around an issue affecting youth or parents, guardians and caregivers
- Expand a current project to deepen impact or reach more youth, parents, guardians and caregivers
- Create new frameworks that challenge systemic barriers for youth and improve access to services
Documents Needed
- Project Plan and Budget as part of the Expression of Interest
- Financial statements for the most recent completed year
- 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
- A formal, signed collaborative agreement
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Youth-led grassroots groups
- Youth-adult partnerships
- Grassroots groups led by parents, guardians and caregivers
- Collaboratives
Who is not eligible
- Applicants with a history of engaging in political activity supporting or opposing any political party, elected representative, or candidate for public office
- Applicants whose main purpose and/or uses major resources to bring about change in law or government policy
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, including lost wages, childcare and local transportation to YOF gatherings.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- This expense cannot be used to compensate an existing core team member and/or board member.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- The collaborative’s readiness to do this work.
- The alignment of the strategy to a YOF Priority Outcome.
- The potential impact on selected YOF youth.
- The priority populations that are benefiting from the project.
- Financial health factors, including ability to manage funds, sound financial history, demonstrated need for project funds, diversified revenue stream, viability, and sectoral need and context.
How to apply
- Create an OTF account to access the Granting Portal.
- If your Expression of Interest is shortlisted, your group will be invited to submit the Grant Application with an Organizational Mentor.
Processing and Agreement
- OTF will notify all applicants of the final decision and invite shortlisted groups to submit an application.
Additional information
- Grant recipients receive capacity building support to learn and grow through specialized coaching and mentorship.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund Program
What is the Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund?
Youth Opportunities Fund supports community-led projects that create safe spaces, empower youth and families, support career pathways, and address issues faced by communities. It offers test, scale, and systems streams for youth-led groups, parent-led groups, and collaboratives, with capacity building support for grantees.
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?
Applications will open on October 14, 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:
Black-led grassroots groups must have the majority of core team members be Black and Black core members must have initiated the project and be central to its vision, design, delivery, and decision-making.
Indigenous-led grassroots groups must have the majority of core team members be Indigenous and Indigenous core members must have initiated the project and be central to its vision, design, delivery, and decision-making.
Scale grants are for groups that have already delivered core project activities over a two-year period.
What expenses are eligible under Ontario Trillium Foundation - Youth Opportunities Fund?
Pilot a new project idea
Research an issue or new concept
Strategize around an issue affecting youth or parents, guardians and caregivers
Expand a current project to deepen impact or reach more youth, parents, guardians and caregivers
Create new frameworks that challenge systemic barriers for youth and improve access to services
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.