The Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) offers grants to grassroots groups and collaboratives who want to improve the well-being of youth and families with a focus on Indigenous and Black communities.
Through three grant streams, YOF supports projects that are led by and for the priority population the project aims to serve—this is a key eligibility requirement for YOF grants. Shared identities and lived experiences are essential to building relationships with those benefiting from the work.
Youth Innovations and Family Innovations Streams
Two types of grants are offered:
Test grants for newly formed groups or those who are looking to test a new idea or approach. Test grants provide up to $100,000 per year, for 1 to 3 years.
Scale grants are for established groups that have delivered two or more years of community programming. Scale grants provide up to $150,000 per year, for 2 to 3 years.
The Expression of Interest (EOI) deadline for the Youth Innovations Stream and Family Innovations Stream is August 23, 2023, at 5 PM ET
Submissions for EOI open May 31, 2023
Only shortlisted groups will be invited to complete the Grant Application.
Learn more about each Grant below and click on the links for more information!
Youth Innovations Scale Grant - For youth-led grassroots groups and youth-adult partnerships that have over two years of experience delivering direct programming to youth. Now, they want to strengthen and grow their work, expand their reach or enhance the impact of their existing project.
Youth Innovations Test Grant - For youth-led grassroots groups & youth-adult partnerships. They can pilot a new project idea, research an issue or new concept, or strategize around an issue affecting youth to improve the social and economic well-being of youth.
Family Innovations Scale Grant - For groups led by parents, guardians and caregivers that have over two years of experience delivering direct programming to other parents, guardians and caregivers. The group is looking to expand their reach, and enhance and strengthen their impact through proven community projects
Family Innovations Test Grant - Grassroots groups led by parents, guardians and caregivers can apply for funding to pilot a new project idea, research an issue or new concept, or strategize around an issue to support other parents, guardians, and caregivers. It’s an opportunity for parents, guardians and caregivers to address issues that impact their wellbeing and that of their families
System Innovations Stream
This grant is for collaboratives who create new frameworks that challenge systemic barriers for youth and improve access to services, design new approaches and create shifts in systems. Grants support organizations, along with grassroots groups, partners and communities to come together and deeply reflect on the issues that youth face, and design approaches that will have lasting impact on systems. Learn more and apply here!
The required pre-application coaching call must be completed by May 31, 2023
Lead organization registered by June 2, 2023
Grant Application deadline – June 20, 2023 – 5 PM ET
Grant Support
Eligible groups are invited to connect with the YOF team and access support to prepare their application and discuss their project:
Register for an upcoming information sessions
Book a coaching call
Contact the YOF team at 1 800 263-2887 or yof@otf.ca