OTF — Youth Innovations Scale Grant
- Open continuously
Overview
The Youth Innovations Scale Grant aims to support established youth-led or youth-adult partnerships in Ontario that wish to expand or enhance successful community projects targeting young people, particularly those experiencing systemic barriers. Eligible activities include enhancing the quality of existing projects to deepen impact or expanding current projects to reach more youth. The grant provides up to $150,000 annually for two to three years.
At a glance
Funding available
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 15% of project cost
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Ontario
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- All revenue ranges
- All organization sizes
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Rural or Northern Residents
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Youth (<40)
- Women
- Social Services
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Children and Youth Organizations
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Children & youth
- Young adults
- Indigenous peoples
- New immigrants & refugees
- People with disabilities
- Women & girls
- LGBTQ+ community
- Rural / Remote communities
- Low-income individuals / families
- Minority groups
- Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
- Local
- Provincial
Next Steps
Activities funded
The Youth Innovations Scale Grant is designed to help groups enhance or expand current projects that support youth and have demonstrated success and impact over a minimum of two years. The grant aims to further their social and economic well-being by reaching more youths or deepening the impact of the project.
- Enhance the quality of youth experiences to deepen the impact of a current project by adding new program components or making refinements to the existing model.
- Expand a current project to impact more youth by increasing accessibility, which can include adding more locations or program hours.
Documents Needed
- Expression of Interest form
- Project Plan and Budget
- Signed Collaborative Agreement with an Organizational Mentor
- Organizational Mentor application materials
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
Eligible applicants for the Youth Innovations Scale Grant include youth-led grassroots groups or youth-adult partnerships that have been successfully delivering a community project for at least two years. These groups must be community-led and inspired, with core group members sharing identities and lived experiences with the young people they aim to serve. Entities eligible to apply include:- Grassroots groups not registered as charities or not-for-profit organizations.- Youth/adult partnerships that are community-focused.- Indigenous grassroots groups where not more than 50% of members are affiliated with a band office or council.- Incorporated not-for-profits with independently managed revenues of $50,000 or less in the past two years.- Groups based in Ontario facilitating projects that benefit Ontario youth.Ineligible applicants include:- Registered charities and religious entities.- Municipalities, universities, schools, and hospitals.- Groups consisting entirely of individuals aged 30 or older.- For-profit organizations, businesses, or individuals.
Who is not eligible
Certain groups and organizations are not eligible for the Youth Innovations Scale Grant due to their registration status, governance structure, or primary activity. These restrictions are in place to ensure that the funds support grassroots, community-driven initiatives that directly benefit youth.
- Registered charities.
- Religious entities established for the observation of religious beliefs, including churches, temples, mosques, and synagogues.
- Municipalities.
- Groups composed entirely of members aged 30 years or older (all-adult groups).
- Groups that are part of an existing organization (not-for-profit or for-profit).
- Committees or clubs of institutions like universities, schools, and hospitals.
- For-profit organizations and businesses.
- Individuals.
Eligible expenses
The Youth Innovations Scale Grant supports projects focused on enhancing or expanding successful community projects to benefit youth. Eligible activities align with objectives like improving the quality of youth engagements or increasing the reach of projects to impact more young people.
- Enhancing the quality of current youth initiatives to deepen their impact.
- Adding new components or modifying existing project models for greater effectiveness.
- Expanding current projects to reach a larger number of youth beneficiaries.
- Increasing the accessibility of programs by adding more locations or operational hours.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Political activities or activities aimed at changing law or government policy.
- Fundraising campaigns.
- Capital infrastructure costs, such as renovations.
- Personal one-on-one professional services, including therapy, counselling, legal, or accounting advice.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Group eligibility and completeness of the Expression of Interest.
- Youth leadership and lived-experience alignment with the youth served.
- Readiness to scale an existing project with at least two years of core activities.
- Strength of the project strategy and expected impact on the chosen Priority Outcome.
- Ability to administer the project, including planning, reporting, and budget management.
How to apply
Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Create an OTF account if you are a new user or sign in if you are a returning user through the Granting Portal.
- Complete and submit the Expression of Interest in the application portal before the deadline date.
- Ensure that the EOI aligns with one of YOF’s Priority Outcomes and complies with all eligibility requirements.
Notification and Shortlisting
- Receive notification regarding the status of your EOI approximately 6 weeks after submission.
- If shortlisted, begin researching and confirming your Organizational Mentor.
Connect with Organizational Mentors
- Confirm an Organizational Mentor for your application; ensure they have an OTF account and are eligible.
- Develop a collaborative agreement with your Organizational Mentor for the grant application.
Submit the Grant Application
- Participate in a mandatory webinar to understand the grant application process and requirements.
- Work with your Organizational Mentor to finalize the application and Collaborative Agreement.
- Submit the complete grant application and signed Collaborative Agreement before the deadline.
Review and Decision
- The grant review process is conducted by OTF’s Grant Review Committee and recommendations are made to the Board of Directors.
- Receive a notification on the status of your application approximately 8 weeks after submission.
Post-Approval Requirements
- Successful applicants must participate in mandatory orientation sessions and trainings.
- The Organizational Mentor signs the OTF Grant Contract and ensures all terms are upheld.
Reporting and Monitoring
- Conduct regular tracking of activities, spending, and learning outcomes for annual progress reports.
- Engage in capacity-building opportunities and participate in YOF-led events.
Grant Completion
- Submit the final report for project evaluation and closure.
- Following approval of the final report, receive the final payment of the grant hold-back funds.
Processing and Agreement
- Expressions of Interest are reviewed for eligibility, readiness, project impact, and understanding of the target youth group.
- Shortlisted groups are invited to submit a full grant application with an Organizational Mentor.
- Grant recommendations are approved by OTF’s Board of Directors after review by the Grant Review Committee.
- Successful groups must complete orientation, sign the grant contract through their Organizational Mentor, and submit regular progress and final reports.
Additional information
The Youth Innovations Scale Grant offers funding to scale successful youth-led projects focused on addressing systemic barriers faced by specific youth groups in Ontario. Successful applicants must work with an Organizational Mentor to receive support in project administration, mentorship, and financial accountability.
- YOF invests in established youth-led or youth-adult partnerships that are community-led and community-inspired.
- The grant stream emphasizes supporting Black and Indigenous youth and those with intersecting experiences of systemic oppression.
- Applicants must comply with OTF policies and funding exclusions, including advocacy-related restrictions.
- Groups must have an independent operation with no more than $50,000 in revenue in the past two years.
- An Organizational Mentor is mandatory for all applicants, providing administrative support and project oversight.
- Eligible expenses include staffing, transportation, honorarium, support services, project supplies, and relevant fees.
- Ineligible expenses include capital infrastructure, political or religious activities, fundraising campaigns, and direct therapy or professional services.
- Expression of Interest is the first stage, leading to a detailed grant application for shortlisted groups, with a focus on strong youth leadership and impactful strategies.
- All projects must contribute towards a specific Youth Innovations Priority Outcome aligned with the grant's objectives.