Youth Climate Action Grants

• Financial assistance of up to $1,000 per project.
• Funding must only be used for the direct delivery of the approved project.
• Eligible expenses in some categories (e.g., food, skilled labour, professional consultant fees, honouraria for voluntary services) are capped at 25% of the total grant request.
• Budgets for funded projects cannot exceed $1,000.

• The applicant must be a student-led group of at least two students enrolled in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) or Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), from grades JK to 12.
• A TDSB or TCDSB staff member must act as the project supervisor.
• The proposed project must be created and delivered by TDSB or TCDSB students.
• The project must take place within the boundaries of the City of Toronto.
• The project must align with the grant’s objective to educate, engage, or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Toronto, and adhere to TDSB or TCDSB rules, including relevant permissions.

Who is eligible?

• Student-led groups within Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
• Student-led groups within Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB)

Who is not eligible

• For-profit businesses
• Grant making organizations
• Registered charitable organizations and/or non-profit environmental organizations
• Community organizations
• TDSB or TCDSB approved vendors

Eligible expenses

• Project supplies such as paper, pens, poster boards, markers, and paint.
• Raw materials including wood, soil, and screws.
• Rentals or small equipment purchases required for project delivery.
• Speaker fees and training supplies for events or workshops.
• Space rental or permit fees for event or activity spaces.
• Costs for communications and promotion of events, including design, printing, flyers, and posters.
• Food and refreshments for participants (excluding bottled water, up to 25% of the total grant request).
• Skilled labour (e.g., hiring a contractor) directly related to the project (up to 25% of the total grant request).
• Professional consultant fees (e.g., for design, translation, communications, up to 25% of the total grant request).
• Honouraria for voluntary services (such as guest speakers or ceremonial duties, up to 25% of the total grant request).
• Volunteer and participant expenses, including food, transit, and personal protective equipment.
• Education and awareness materials, including signage, books (subject to school board approval), instructional kits, and camera film.

Eligible geographic areas

• Projects must take place within the boundaries of the City of Toronto.

• Compliance with all the eligibility requirements of the program.
• Technical evaluation of the project by specialized teams (environment, climate, and forestry).
• Analysis by a review committee consisting of representatives from the City of Toronto, TDSB, or TCDSB to decide on the allocation of funds.
• Possibility for the committee to request additional information to clarify the evaluation, analysis, or monitoring of the application.

• Recipients are required to submit a Final Report and Final Budget Summary upon project completion.
• The grant team may request a site visit to assess the project and gather feedback from participants.
• A sample of previously funded projects is publicly available for inspiration and reference.
• Applicants may request accessibility supports or alternative application formats as needed.