How much funding can be received?

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.

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This grant specifically targets groups within Ontario, Canada. It aims to benefit youth within this specified region, ensuring that initiatives are community-relevant and community-driven.

Groups must be based in Ontario.
The work must benefit youth in Ontario.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant requires that applicants meet specific criteria related to the structure, leadership, and focus of their groups.

The group must be a grassroots group not registered as a charity or as an incorporated not-for-profit, or an incorporated not-for-profit without share capital in Canada.
The work must be community-led and community-inspired, with core group members sharing identities and lived experiences with the youth benefiting from the project.
If based in a First Nation, the group must not have more than 50% of its members as part of the band office or band council.
The organization must have independently managed revenues of $50,000 or less in either of the last two years.
The group must serve youth aged 12-25, or 12-29 for youth with special needs and/or disabilities, mental health needs and/or addictions, as its primary mandate.
The group must have at least three core members, with more than 50% being at arm's length from each other and youth making up more than 50% of the core group.
The group must be based in Ontario, with projects benefiting youth in Ontario.
The group must exist independently of larger organizations such as municipalities, universities, or hospitals.
The group must work with an Organizational Mentor and have the autonomy to select the mentor, design the project, and plan its future.
Eligible leadership structures include youth-led groups with individuals aged 29 or under in governance roles, or youth-adult partnerships sharing decision-making power.
Adult groups with most members up to age 35 can apply if focusing on supporting youth in or leaving care or involved in the justice system.
Groups cannot have all team members aged 30 or older, nor can they be a branch or project of an existing organization.
The group cannot be a registered charity, municipality, or religious entity established for religious observance.

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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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant allows for funding a range of expenses vital for enhancing or expanding youth projects.

Staffing costs, including Mandatory Employee Required Costs (MERC) of 20%.
Transportation expenses for project activities.
Honorarium for participants and volunteers.
Support services such as translation, interpretation, or child-minding.
Project supplies and materials needed for execution.
Rental or purchase of project equipment.
Food expenses for program activities.
Communications costs, including website development and promotions.
Fees for services delivered by experts, facilitators, or professionals.
Contingency funds of a maximum of 10% per year.
Administrative Support Costs (OM): 15% of total budget.
Capacity Building: Minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $4,000 per year.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Youth Innovations Scale Grant involve criteria focused on ensuring that successful projects are scaled effectively to enhance impact or expand reach.

Assessment weight: People (40%)
- Strong Youth Leadership: The group demonstrates a fully operational youth-led or youth-adult partnership with a history of collaboration.
- Experience and Skills: The group collectively shows the skills and experiences necessary to deliver and scale project activities.
- Administration Capacity: Demonstrates capability to effectively administer the grant, including planning, reporting, and budget management.
Assessment weight: Strategy (60%)
- Setting the Context: Clearly outlines the execution of activities for over two years addressing the specific needs and systemic barriers faced by YOF youth.
- Scaling Purpose: Describes how scaling will enhance the quality or expand the reach of current project activities.
- Addressing Systemic Barriers: Demonstrates connection to systemic barriers faced by youth, aligning original and scaled project activities effectively to these issues.
- Impact Strategy: Clear strategy for achieving deeper impact or reaching more youth, with past project results supporting proposed outcomes aligned with selected YOF Priority Outcome.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: 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.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: 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.
Step 5: 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.
Step 6: 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.
Step 7: 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.
Step 8: 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.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

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.

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1-800-263-2887

Apply to this program

Amplifying Youth Impact Through the Youth Innovations Scale Grant

The Youth Innovations Scale Grant offers substantial financial support aimed at expanding or enhancing existing youth-led community projects. This initiative targets grassroots groups who have effectively demonstrated their ability to make a significant impact on young people over at least two years and are ready to scale their efforts.

Understanding the Significant Role and Benefits of the Youth Innovations Scale Grant

The Youth Innovations Scale Grant is a strategic funding initiative designed to help grassroots groups and youth-adult partnerships elevate their successful community-led projects to new heights. With a maximum grant of $150,000 per year for up to three years, this program assists in scaling projects that have already proven their effectiveness and impact on the social and economic conditions of young people, particularly Indigenous, Black, or other marginalized groups facing systemic challenges. By focusing on an "Enhance" or "Expand" project model, groups can choose to deepen the current impact or broaden their reach to include more youth beneficiaries.

The grant prioritizes groups that are unregistered charities or not-for-profit corporations, notably those whose members reflect the diverse identities and lived experiences of the youth they aim to serve. It supports initiatives that engage young community members in leadership and decision-making processes, promoting social justice and equity. This funding avenue acknowledges that the solutions to systemic issues should come from those directly affected, empowering youth to implement and proliferate models that they know work in their communities.

In addition to financial resources, this grant emphasizes the importance of collaboration with an Organizational Mentor, who not only offers administrative and financial guidance but also enriches the project's capacity-building efforts. Grant recipients can utilize the funding to cover various eligible expenses such as staffing, transportation, project materials, and support services, ensuring that the financial burden of expansion is alleviated, allowing the core team to focus on maximizing their project’s impact.

Projects eligible for this grant must align with Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) Priority Outcomes and are required to foster powerful changes in areas like youth employment, justice system navigation, and combating systemic racism. These outcomes aim to foster environments where young people are thriving, secure, and future-ready. Moreover, this grant serves as a critical tool for addressing specific needs of youth ages 12-29 who experience intersecting challenges such as disabilities, mental health needs, or at-risk social conditions.

The Youth Innovations Scale Grant represents more than just financial support; it provides a platform for youth voices, validating and amplifying their work and impacts. By facilitating the replication and enhancement of successful community-driven projects, this grant stands as a testament to the power of grassroots leadership in reshaping communities and fostering youth resilience and empowerment on a provincial level, with a wider potential influence across Canada.