OTF — Youth Innovations Test Grant ON Canada

OTF — Youth Innovations Test Grant

ON, Canada
Empower youth to address systemic barriers through grassroots-led projects, emphasizing shared experiences and cultural enhancement
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Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
  • Other services (except public administration)
  • Public administration
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  • Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)
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grant_card_status|open

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The Youth Innovations Test Grant is designed to support grassroots projects led by youth or youth-adult partnerships that aim to enhance the social and economic well-being of young individuals. Eligible activities include piloting new ideas, conducting research on specific topics, and developing strategies to address systemic issues faced by youth. The program prioritizes initiatives that empower Indigenous and Black youth, and projects that impact youth with intersecting identities or experiences, including those in care, at risk of dropping out, or facing systemic barriers.

grant_single_labels|projects

Eligible projects for the Youth Innovations Test Grant focus on piloting new ideas, researching issues, and strategizing around issues affecting youth. These projects must align with a Youth Innovations Priority Outcome and benefit young people between the ages of 12-29 with intersecting experiences or identities.
  • Pilot a new project idea that supports youth to learn a new skill or navigate systems.
  • Research an issue or concept, including participatory research about an experience youth face.
  • Strategize around an issue affecting youth, such as developing common goals or strategies in a community.
  • Create spaces that honor youth wellbeing and creativity, or connect them to knowledge of land, culture, and language.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The Youth Innovations Test Grant supports grassroots groups and youth-adult partnerships that address systemic issues faced by youth. Eligible projects must benefit young people between the ages of 12-29 and focus on shared identities and experiences to drive positive community change.
  • A grassroots group that is not registered as a charity or as an incorporated not-for-profit.
  • The work is community-led and inspired, with core group members sharing identities and lived experiences with the youth benefiting from the project.
  • If from a First Nation, the group cannot have more than 50% of its members as part of the band office or council.
  • An organization incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in a Canadian jurisdiction, with revenues of $50,000 or less in the last two years.
  • Core group must include at least three members, 50% of whom must be youth, based in Ontario and operating independently of larger organizations.
  • The leadership structure can be youth-led, a youth-adult partnership, or an adult-initiated youth partnership.
  • The project must align with YOF's Priority Outcomes and benefit youth ages 12-25, or 12-29 for those with special needs.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

This grant primarily supports grassroots groups that are youth-led or youth-adult partnerships, rather than conventional companies. Eligible organizations include unregistered grassroots groups or not-for-profit corporations in Canada that fit certain criteria.
  • A grassroots group not registered as a charity or as an incorporated not-for-profit.
  • An organization incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction.
  • Registered Métis Nation of Ontario Chartered Community Councils or Inuit communities as not-for-profits.
  • Organizations with independently managed revenues of $50,000 or less in either of the last two years.
  • Groups based in Ontario that will benefit youth in Ontario.
  • Groups with at least three core members who are predominantly youth and at arm's length from each other.
  • Organizations where core members reflect the identities and experiences of the youth served.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

The Youth Innovations Test Grant has specific eligibility requirements that exclude certain types of organizations. Notably, registered charities, religious entities, and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply for this grant.
  • Registered charities
  • Religious entities established for the observation of religious beliefs
  • Municipalities
  • Groups composed of all members aged 30 years or older
  • Groups part of an existing organization
  • Committees or clubs of institutions like universities, schools, and hospitals
  • For-profit organizations and businesses
  • Individuals

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant covers various expenses necessary for project implementation, including staffing, transportation, and project supplies. Mandatory expenses also include administrative support and capacity building costs.
  • Staffing (with considerations for Mandatory Employee Required Costs (MERC) of 20%)
  • Transportation
  • Honorarium (participants, volunteers)
  • Support Services (translation, interpretation, child-minding)
  • Project supplies and materials
  • Project equipment (rental or purchase)
  • Food
  • Communications (website, promotions)
  • Fees (for services delivered by experts, facilitators)
  • Contingency (maximum of 10% per year)
  • Administrative Support Costs (OM): 15% of total budget
  • Capacity Building: Minimum of $2,000 per year to a maximum of $4,000 per year

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The grant is available to groups based in Ontario, and the work funded by the grant must benefit youth in Ontario. It emphasizes supporting Indigenous and Black youth while requiring the group to operate independently within the province.
  • Groups must be based in Ontario.
  • The project must benefit youth in Ontario.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The Youth Innovations Test Grant evaluates Expressions of Interest based on group eligibility, strong youth leadership, and a well-defined strategy to address systemic barriers. Successful applicants are selected based on their ability to demonstrate the potential impact of their project aligning with a YOF Priority Outcome and the direct benefit to the targeted youth.
  • Group Eligibility: Checks if the group meets requirement and operates independently, with members reflecting the youth served.
  • Strong Youth Leadership: Assesses the collective knowledge, skills, and experience of the group.
  • Setting the Context: Evaluates the need, issue, or opportunity, and the idea's effectiveness in response to these factors.
  • Potential for Impact: Measures if the planned changes align with YOF Priority Outcomes and are achievable.

grant_single_labels|register

  • Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • Complete and submit the Expression of Interest by the deadline.
  • Ensures the proposed project aligns with YOF’s priorities and criteria.
  • Initial review of group's eligibility, readiness, and potential impact of the project.
  • Step 2: Review and Assessment of EOI
  • OTF staff reviews the EOI to assess eligibility and alignment with priorities.
  • Verification of group's activities and compliance with OTF’s Eligibility Policy.
  • Step 3: Notification of Shortlisted EOIs
  • Receive notification of status approximately 6 weeks after EOI deadline.
  • Shortlisted groups will be invited to submit a full grant application with an Organizational Mentor.
  • Step 4: Connect with Organizational Mentors
  • Applicants connect and confirm an Organizational Mentor for support in the grant application.
  • The eligibility of Organizational Mentors will be verified.
  • Organizational Mentors need to have an OTF account.
  • Step 5: Submit the Grant Application
  • Participation in a mandatory webinar for shortlisted groups.
  • Work with Organizational Mentor to finalize and submit grant application.
  • Inclusion of signed Organizational Mentor-Grassroots Groups Collaborative Agreement with the application.
  • Step 6: Recommendation and Selection
  • YOF’s Grant Review Committee recommends grants approval to OTF’s Board of Directors.
  • Step 7: Notification
  • Groups are notified of the status of their application approximately 8 weeks after the deadline.
  • Step 8: Confirmation and Orientation
  • Successful groups participate in a mandatory orientation and training session.
  • Your Organizational Mentor signs the OTF Grant Contract.
  • Step 9: After Approval
  • Reporting & monitoring activities, including progress and final reports.
  • Engagement in capacity building opportunities and evaluation activities.
  • Grantee Compliance Audit may be conducted.
  • Release of final payment after completion and approval of Final Report.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

This grant aims to support youth-led projects addressing critical issues facing young people, emphasizing grassroots work and focusing on Indigenous and Black youth facing systemic barriers.
  • The grant prioritizes projects that empower youth to enhance their social and economic well-being through community-led initiatives.
  • Eligible applicants must form youth-led or youth-adult partnerships, and the core group must consist of members reflecting the identities and experiences of the youth served.

grant_single_labels|contact

1-800-263-2887
Apply to this program