Youth Innovations Scale Grant

Scale your successful project with a proven model. Youth Innovations Scale grants support youth-led grassroots groups and youth-adult partnerships who want to expand their reach or enhance their impact on young people.

Term length

Minimum 2 years, Maximum 3 years

Amount awarded (per year)

Minimum N/A

Maximum $150,000

Looking to enhance or expand an existing project? 

When grassroots work is successful, young leaders can find themselves wanting to build on the foundation they have created alongside their communities. Critical local projects tailored to the needs of youth can resonate in ways that require a scaled-up response to continue to meet the demand created through trust and collaboration.   

The Youth Innovations Scale grant is rooted in the leadership of youth. Young leaders who have tested successful projects over a two-year period now have the skills to grow those projects and thrive alongside the communities they support. Young leaders who are ready to scale projects are committed to working with their peers to improve the experiences of young people and improve their social and economic well-being.   

Are you a youth-led grassroots group or a youth-adult partnership with over two years of experience delivering a community project? Apply for a Youth Innovations Scale grant to: 

  • Enhance your existing project to create a deeper impact, or 
  • Expand your project to reach more youth. 

On this page

Important Dates and Deadlines

Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)
Deadline to submit EOI August 23, 2023 at 5 PM ET (Closed)
Notification of status of EOI  Approximately 6 weeks after EOI deadline

Step 2: Grant application

Only applicants with a successful EOI will be invited to submit a grant application.

Deadline to submit the grant application, which includes the signed Organizational Mentor- Grassroots Group Collaborative Agreement 

Deadline to register the Organizational Mentor

November 15, 2023, 5 PM ET
Notification of funding decision Approximately 8 weeks after the grant application deadline
Organizational Mentor Application Open year round
Start date for all Grants March 1, 2024

The Expression of Interest submission period is now closed.

We thank everyone who submitted their EOI. YOF will notify all applicants of the final decision and invite shortlisted groups to submit an application.

Plan your application

A Scale grant can support your group to make more of an impact in your community by adding to or expanding the reach of a community project you have been delivering for over two years. To give your application the best chance of being successful, please read the information on this page carefully. It will help you make sure that your group, project, and the people you want to support align with Youth Opportunities Fund funding priorities.

All grassroots groups applying for a Youth Innovations grant must partner with an Organizational Mentor and enter into a collaborative agreement. An Organizational Mentor provides administrative support, project mentoring, and financial accountability to grant recipients. Learn more about requirements for Organizational Mentors.

Download and review the Expression of Interest Questions and the Project Plan and Budget Worksheet associated with the application.

Application supports

Eligibility

The Youth Opportunities Fund supports projects led by youth who share identities, experiences, and face the same systemic barriers as the people who will benefit from the project. This “led by and for” principle is a requirement in all funding streams.

Discover if your group and project are eligible to receive a Youth Innovations grant and make sure your beneficiaries are in YOF’s primary beneficiaries. Potential Organizational Mentors should also review the information in this section.

Group requirements 

Groups that apply for a Youth Innovations grant need to meet the following requirements: 

  • The group has at least three core group members. 
  • More than 50% of core group members are at arm’s length relationship to each other.   
  • Core group members (including board members, where applicable) reflect the identities and experiences of the youth they are working with and for. 
  • The group is based in Ontario. 
  • The group serves youth over 12 years of age as its primary mandate 
  • The group exists independently of a larger organization (other not-for-profit), charitable organization or municipality, university, school, religious institution and/or hospital. 
  • The group agrees to work with an Organizational Mentor and has autonomy to choose their Organizational Mentor, design the project, identify group members, and plan for the future.  
  • The group operates as either a youth-led group or a youth-adult partnership. 
    • A youth-led group is a group that: 
      • Has all individuals aged 29 or under at the governance or decision-making level 
      • Has youth, 12 to 29 years old, managing the project (from planning to implementation and evaluation) 
    • Youth-adult partnership is a group that has young people as its primary audience and where youth and adults share power. This looks like: 
      • Shared responsibility for decision-making about the project and the group  
      • Shared responsibility for planning and delivery of activities and the budget 
      • Shared responsibility for planning for the future of the project and the group  

Exception: Adult groups with all members up to the age of 35 can apply if they are looking to advance the following YOF Priority Outcome: Supporting youth in and/or leaving care and/or involved in the justice system to navigate and access resources for wellbeing.  

Note 

  • We prioritize projects led by and for Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) youth and Black youth.  
  • Groups can only apply for one Youth Opportunities Fund grant at a time.   
  • If your group has an active Youth Opportunities Fund grant, you can only apply for funding if you are in the last year of your active grant.  
     

Eligible groups  

The work of a youth-led grassroots group or youth-adult partnership is community-led and community-inspired. Grassroots group means that core group members share identities and lived experiences with the young people who will benefit from the project. 

Applicants that meet the group requirements must also be one of the following: 

  • A grassroots group that is not registered as a charity or as an incorporated not-for-profit 
    • If you are a grassroots group from a First Nation, you are eligible to apply. Your group cannot have more than 50% of its members as part of the band office or band council. 
       
  • An organization incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction  
    • This includes a Chartered Community Council, operating under the Métis Nation of Ontario, or Inuit communities that are registered as not-for-profit corporations without share capital in Canada.   
    • The organization is required to have independently managed revenues of $50,000 or less in either of the last two years. 
    • Board members and day-to-day management must also meet youth-led group and youth adult-partnership definitions.  

Ineligible groups 

The following are not eligible to apply:  

  • Registered charities 
  • Religious entities established for the observation of religious beliefs, including, but not limited to, churches, temples, mosques and synagogues. 
  • Municipalities 
  • Groups composed of all team members ages 30 years or older (all-adult groups) 
  • Groups/projects based at an existing organization (not-for-profit or for profit) 
  • Groups specifically designed to serve young people through committees or clubs of institutions, including municipalities, universities, schools, and hospitals 
  • For-profit organizations and businesses   
  • Individuals 

Project eligibility 

Your project may be eligible if it: 

  • Includes all required information 
  • Strongly aligns with your chosen YOF Priority Outcome 
  • Complies with OTF policies:  
    • Our policy requirements define eligibility for OTF funding and outline exclusions.  
    • Funds are granted to eligible applicants delivering eligible project activities that directly align with YOF Priority Outcomes. 
  • Benefits young people ages 12-25, and/or 12-29 for youth living with special needs and/or disabilities, mental health needs and/or addictions 

Application process

YOF’s application process involves various steps for groups and Organizational Mentors.

 Prepare your application


2. Register your group

  • Once the application portal opens, create your user profile to register your group  
    • You will need to enter the name of your group’s primary contact and their email address.
    • We will email the primary contact a user ID, temporary password and instructions on how to access the online Expression of Interest application.
  • If your group is already registered with OTF, log in using your current user ID and password.


3. Submit the Expression of Interest

  • The purpose of the Expression of Interest is to equip our staff with the information needed to assess your project idea, group and potential for impact. This is the first step of a Youth Opportunities Fund grant application.
  • Once the application portal opens, you can complete and submit the Expression of Interest by the deadline date. Please note that any late submissions of the Expression of Interest will not be accepted.


4. Review and assessment of Expression of Interest

  • Using the assessment criteria, our staff review your group’s eligibility, your readiness to do this work, the potential impact of your project, and how well you understand the needs, interests, and experiences of the young people you want to work with.
  • As part of the assessment process, we review the online presence of all applicants to ensure they deliver direct programs and services to Ontarians and that they are not engaged in ineligible activities. This includes:  
    • The majority of group activities are for the purpose of bringing about change in law or government policy, including public policy dialogue and development.
    • Political activities supporting or opposing any political party, elected representative, or candidate for public office.
    • For more information about eligible and ineligible activities, review OTF’s Eligibility Policy.


5. Notification of shortlisted groups

  • We notify all applicants of the status of their Expression of Interest approximately 6 weeks after the deadline.
  • If your Expression of Interest is successful, your group will be shortlisted and invited to submit a grant application with an Organizational Mentor.
    • For shortlisted groups, begin to research potential Organizational Mentors


6. About Organizational Mentor

  • Groups are required to confirm their Organizational Mentor at the grant application stage. We encourage you to start this relationship early.
  • We will verify the eligibility of your Organizational Mentor. For more information about how we assess eligibility, review OTF’s Policies and Organizational Mentor requirements.
  • If your selected Organizational Mentor is not eligible, we will ask them to notify your group and project leaders. The YOF team will provide support to find a new potential Organizational Mentor.
  • Is your Organizational Mentor new to OTF? The organization is required to be registered with OTF. Once OTF’s application portal opens, your Organizational Mentor can create a user profile to register their organization.
  • Is your Organizational Mentor already registered with OTF? Once OTF’s application portal opens, your Organizational Mentor can log in to complete the online application. Look for the button called Applications (YOF) in the top right corner of the portal. Then, click on the tab called Begin New Application Org Mentor.


7. Submit the grant application (for shortlisted groups only)


8. Recommendation and selection

  • YOF’s volunteer Grant Review Committee review grant applications and recommends a list of applications to be approved by OTF’s Board of Directors.
  • OTF’s Board of Directors approves grant recommendations put forward by the Grant Review Committee.


9. Notification

  • Your group will be notified on the status of your grant application approximately 8 weeks after the deadline.


10. Confirmation and Orientation

  • Successful groups take part in a mandatory orientation session.
  • Your Organizational Mentor is sent an email with the OTF Grant Contract.
  • Your Organizational Mentor is responsible for signing and upholding the Grant Contract with OTF.


11. After approval

  • Start date: The start date is no earlier than March 1, 2024
  • Reporting & monitoring: In addition to scheduled touch points, grantees track activities, spending, and learning to complete the annual progress report and a final report
  • Capacity building: This is an opportunity to enhance group skills as you deliver your project. Capacity building work will help you connect and network with other grantees by participating in YOF led events and making the most of capacity building funds available in your project budget.
  • Evaluation: Grantees must work with YOF’s external evaluation partner, Students Commission of Canada, to evaluate progress towards the chosen YOF Priority Outcome
  • Completion: After our staff approve a Final Report, the grant hold-back funds, which is the final payment for the project, are released and the grant is closed
  • Grantee compliance: A random sample of grants are subject to a Grantee Compliance Audit. Grant files can be audited for compliance at any point during the grant's life, or after the grant has been closed

Choose your project type

Scale grants can help your group enhance or expand your own successful project. Two types of projects qualify for a Scale grant. Choose the one that most closely aligns with your group’s projects.

This is a project your group has already been successfully delivering core activities for at least two years and has had a positive impact on the youth you serve. Throughout the delivery of your project, you have developed a program model with positive results, and you can sustain the program as a result of your group’s track record and continued engagement with youth and the community. Now, your group wants to make the project even better to increase impact on youth.

This project type also includes adding new program components, such as modifying and/or making refinements to your existing model.

Choose this project type if:

  • This is a project your group currently delivers and/or has delivered for at least two years
  • Your group has strong evidence of the project's success and impact that aligns with one of the Priority Outcomes associated with this grant  
  • Your group can demonstrate how you can enhance your core project and deepen the impact for the profile of youth you are currently working with
  • Your group’s core team of three or more members have history and experience doing work together. This experience can include delivering the core program model or other activities in community

Your group has already been successfully delivering core activities through this project for at least two years and has had a positive impact on the youth you serve. Throughout the delivery of your project, you have developed a program model with positive results, and you can sustain the program as a result of your group’s track record and continued engagement with youth alongside the community. Now your group wants to reach more young people and expand the impact of your project.

Expanding an existing successful project should also include aiming to increase the number of young people who can access your program. For example, you could add more locations or hours to expand program delivery and increase access for youth beneficiaries.

Choose this project type if:

  • This is a project your group currently delivers and/or has delivered
  • Your group has strong evidence of the project's success and impact that aligns with one of the Priority Outcomes associated with this grant
  • Your group can demonstrate how you can expand the reach of the project and achieve your chosen Priority Outcome to serve the same youth you are currently working with
  • Your group’s core team of three or more members have history and experience doing work together. This experience can include delivering the core program model or other activities in community

Choose your Priority Outcome

Youth Innovations Priority Outcomes reflect the changes YOF is investing in. All approved projects must advance one of these outcomes through project activities. While many of the outcomes focus on key priority populations or experiences, we will prioritize Indigenous and Black youth as part of our commitments to addressing systemic barriers to economic and social wellbeing. The one Priority Outcome your group chooses identifies the impact your project will build on in your Scale grant.

When choosing your YOF Priority Outcome, ask yourself:

  • What key issues and/or challenges do your selected YOF youth beneficiaries face?
  • Over the past two years, what changes did your group achieve through your core project activities and what changes do you want to sustain as a group?
  • What results does your group hope to achieve through your project?

As you fill out your application, you should align your answers to the YOF Priority Outcome your project will achieve.

  • Empowering girls and young women to lead, including women's economic empowerment initiatives
  • Supporting Indigenous, Black, and/or newcomer youth to enter the labour market and transition to sustainable career pathways
  • Supporting youth in and/or leaving care and/or involved in the justice system to navigate and access resources for wellbeing  
    • Note: Adult groups with all members up to the age of 35 can apply for this outcome.
  • Addressing racism and its impacts on youth in urban, rural and/or Northern communities
  • Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and/or Black youth to build strong community and cultural connections

Choose your Primary Beneficiaries

As you complete your application, align your Scale project with the primary beneficiaries named in your chosen Priority Outcome. We recognize that your primary beneficiaries may hold other identities and experiences that are critical to the design and delivery of your project. In your application, identify the primary beneficiaries of your project and their intersecting identities and lived experiences. Your core group members should share the identities and lived experiences of your primary beneficiaries.

  • Indigenous youth (First Nation, Métis, or Inuit) 
    • When selecting Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit), beneficiaries can be from urban, rural and on reserve communities
  • Black youth
  • Racialized youth
  • Newcomer youth
  • Francophone youth
  • Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) youth
  • Youth living with disabilities or special needs between the ages of 12 to 29
  • Youth living in rural, remote and/or Northern communities
  • Youth in conflict or at risk of being in conflict with the law
  • Youth in care or leaving care
  • Youth in low-income situations or from low-income families
  • Youth who are homeless or at risk of being homeless
  • Youth at-risk of dropping out or have dropped out
  • Youth living with mental health needs and/or addictions between the ages of 12 to 29
  • Youth who are not engaged and/or at risk of not being engaged with education, employment and training programs

Eligible and ineligible project expenses

  • Staffing (with considerations for Mandatory Employee Required Costs (MERC) of 20%)  
    • As you consider the roles and responsibilities of staff, ensure you include livable wages to support your program delivery 
  • 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, professionals)
  • Contingency (maximum of 10% per year)

Mandatory expenses that need to be included in all Youth Innovations Scale grant applications:

  • Administrative Support Costs (OM): 15% of total budget 
  • Capacity Building: Minimum of $2,000 per year required and up to a maximum of $4,000 per year
  • Capital infrastructure expenses (renovations to space)
  • Expenses related to political or religious activities
  • General or ongoing operating expenses (unrelated to the project)
  • Bursaries, scholarships, sponsorships or individual requests (including regranting funds to other projects or people)
  • Fundraising campaigns

For a full list of ineligible expenses, review OTF’s Eligibility Policy.

Expression of Interest assessment

Your Expression of Interest is assessed based on three areas of the application: Group Eligibility, People and Strategy.

  • The Project Plan and Budget will not be assessed with the Expression of Interest. However, it will be reviewed by a Program Manager if your group’s project is shortlisted. A Program Manager will reach out to share feedback on the Project Plan and Budget before the grant application deadline. 
  • If your group is shortlisted, you’ll be invited to submit a grant application with an Organizational Mentor. 
     

Assessment Area #1: Group

Eligibility is reviewed and assessed as either Eligible or Not Eligible. 

  • Project leaders reflect the identities and experiences of the YOF youth they are working with and for. 
  • The group operates as either youth-led or a youth-adult partnership. 
  • The application is complete and contains clear and detailed responses.  
  • Young people (ages 12-25) and/or those with disabilities, special needs, mental health needs and addictions (ages 12-29) are clear beneficiaries of the project. 
  • The group has delivered two years of core activities that have had an impact on YOF youth (primary beneficiaries) and is ready to scale the project. 
  • The group exists independently of a larger organization (other not-for-profit), charitable organization or municipality, university, school, and/or hospital. 
  • The group is based in Ontario. 
  • The group has at least three core group members. 
  • More than 50% of core group members are at arm’s length relationship to each other.   
  • The group is not a registered Charity. 
  • The group is a registered not-for-profit.  
    • If yes: Board members are clearly identified and reflect the identities and experiences of the YOF youth being served. 
  • The project complies with OTF Policies.  
  • The group is in compliance with advocacy requirements of OTF’s Eligibility Policy.  
  • The group is either an unincorporated group or an incorporated not-for-profit corporation, with independently managed revenues of $50,000 or less in either of the last two years. 
     

Assessment Area #2: People 

Scoring weight: 40% 

Strong Youth Leadership  

Key areas of your application to focus on: 

  • The group fully operates as a youth-led or a youth-adult partnership. 
  • The group members have a history of working together.  
  • The group demonstrates that collectively they have the skills and experiences to deliver project activities and scale this project. 
  • The group demonstrates that they can effectively administer the grant (annual planning and reporting, budget management etc.). 
     

Assessment Area #3: Strategy 

Scoring weight: 60% 

Setting the Context (Issue & idea) 

  • The group clearly and fully demonstrates they have delivered activities over two years to YOF youth.   
  • The group has fully and clearly described how they want to scale their current project and for what purpose (to “Enhance the quality of youth experiences to deepen the impact of a current project” or “Expand a current project to impact more youth”).   
  • The need, issue or opportunity connects to systemic barriers that YOF youth face.  
  • Original core project activities and the proposed plan to scale the project are an effective response to the need, issue or opportunity the group is addressing. 
  • Original core project activities and the proposed plan to scale respond well to the context and experiences of the young people who are engaged through this project. 

Scaling Impactful Projects (Idea & Impact) 

  • YOF youth are clear and direct beneficiaries of the project. 
  • The strategy for scaling results in either a deeper impact for youth beneficiaries or more youth reached.   
  • Past project results and any new changes or impacts can be achieved through the plan to scale and proposed project activities. 
  • Past project results and any new changes or impacts align with the selected YOF Priority Outcome. 
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