Potential Organizational Mentors

All grassroots groups applying for a Youth Opportunities Fund grant through the Youth Innovations and Family Innovations Streams must partner with an Organizational Mentor (OM) and sign a collaborative agreement together.

On this page is a list of organizations that are pre-approved to be Organizational Mentors for the 2026-2027 round of Youth Opportunities Fund grants. 

Connect with an organization

As you identify potential Organizational Mentors and prepare to approach them, review the conversation guide that contains questions your group can ask the organization.  

Organizations will have their own selection process when choosing to partner with a grassroots group and may require a meeting to determine if your group and project align with their mission and mandate.

Submit a grant application with a collaborative agreement

Grassroots groups applying to the Youth Innovations and Family Innovations Streams with shortlisted Expressions of Interest from the most recent deadline are invited to complete the grant application that includes a signed collaborative agreement with an Organizational Mentor.

Download the OM – Grassroots Group Collaborative Agreement template.    

Take time to review the agreement 
Make sure that your group agrees with the terms and conditions 
Consider how the agreement will help build your relationship with the Organizational Mentor throughout the project

OMs approved as of June 24, 2026

This list may be updated over time. If you require support finding an Organizational Mentor, connect with us at yof@otf.ca.

Organization and OTF Catchment served	Areas of Focus	Lead Contact Information
Actions Interculturelles Canada Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 1 *Francophone organization	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education et training Employment and training Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Ines Ghozzi Director of development 613 606-2638 ines.ghozzi@aide.org This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
African Canadian Association of Ottawa Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training, Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Sibylle Tsayem Community Engagement Coordinator 613 663-2940 ext. 109 / 343 553-2259 sibylle@acaottawa.com
Afro Canadian Caribbean Association Hamilton Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Systems navigation Increasing access to mentors	Evelyn Myrie President/CEO 905 531-2107 sibylle@acaottawa.com
Ampere Association Ontario Grassroot group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Nicolas Polito Chief Sustainable Funding Officer 705 878-8980 development@amp.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
The Arab Community Centre of Toronto Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Dima Amad Executive Director 416 825-6336 dima@acctonline.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
ASE Community Foundation Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports, Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Aronke Emmanuel National Director, Programs and Services 437 799-9198 director@asecommunityfoundation.com
Auberge Francophone d'Accueil et des Services aux Immigrants Ontario Grassroots group capacity: 2 *Francophone organization	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Julie Lutete Executive Director 647 572-9000 direction@aubergefrancophone.org
Art Windsor-Essex Essex, Kent, Lambton Grassroot group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Arts and culture	Jennifer Matotek Executive Director 519 977-0013 jmatotek@artwindsoressex.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Arts Etobicoke Halton Peel, Toronto Grassroot group capacity: 2	Arts and culture	Wendy Rading Executive Director 647 809-8731 wendy@artsetobicoke.com This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Education and training Youth justice Systems navigation Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Nasima Akter Executive Director 416 699-4484 nakter@bangladeshi.ca
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families Youth justice Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Zoe King Executive Director 705 927-7727 zoe.king@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto  Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Youth justice Systems navigation	Stachen Lett-Frederick President and CEO 416 300-9399 stachen.frederick@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
Boys & Girls Club of London Ontario Grassroot group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Brett Gatt CEO 519 434-9115 bgatt@bgclondon.ca
Britannia Woods Community House Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Diana Belghali Community Services and Operation Director 613 820-0853 diana@britanniawoods.com This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Brockville and District Association for Community involvement Quinte, Kingston, Rideau Grassroot group capacity: 1	Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Housing and social supports	Kimberley Gavan Executive Director 613 345-4092 ext. 40 kgavan@bdaci.com
Centre canadien pour l'unité de famille Ontario Grassroots group capacity: 1 *Francophone organization	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Franklin Weledji Executive Director 647 679-5391 director@debradynes.com
Centre d’Établissement, de Soutien et d’Orientation Communautaire (CÉSOC)   Champlain   Grassroots group capacity: 2  *Francophone organization	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training   Improving access to resources for economic stability	Georges S. Nana  Entrepreneurship manager 613 816-9400  georges.nana@cesoc.ca
Centre for Learning & Development Toronto Grassroot group capacity: 2	Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Increasing access to mentors	Anna Jasinska Associate Manager of Operations, Development & Communications 647 493-2462 ext.125 anna@tccld.org
Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter Simcoe York, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Youth justice Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Eleanor Yang Executive Director 647 512-8383 executivedirector@ccnctoronto.ca
Community Family Services of Ontario Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Housing and social supports Systems navigation Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors Improving access to resources for economic stability Mental wellness support Support for youth with disabilities Newcomer programming	Anna Victoria Wong Executive Director 647 980-1822 awong@cfso.care
Community Living Ontario Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge; Halton Peel; Simcoe York; Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports	Shawn Pegg Director of Social Policy & Strategic Initiatives 647 355-7185 shawn@communitylivingontario.ca
Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre Thames Valley Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families	Steacy Martin Executive Director 226 781-3044 smartin@crouchnrc.org
Debra Dynes Family House Inc. Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Ray Eskritt Executive Director 613-413-2143 director@debradynes.com
Delta Family Resource Centre Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Mohamed Mohamed Manager, Capacity Building 416 505-2366 mmohamed@dfrc.ca
Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre Champlain Grassroot group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability	Natasha Albert Coordinator Family and Community Programs 613 741-6025 nalbert@eorc-creo.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Egale Canada Human Rights Trust Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Education and training Arts and culture	Mark Fellion Director of Development 416 946-6752 grants@egale.ca
Family Services of Peel Halton-Peel Grassroot group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports	Sandra Rupnarain Executive Director 905 270-2250 srupnarain@fspeel.org
Federation of Black Canadians Ontario Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Joshua Maharaj Business Development Manager 647 367-3615 ext. 101 joshua@fbcfcn.ca
For Youth Initiative   Toronto  Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training   Employment and training   Youth justice Systems navigation	Dennison Harcharan  Finance Manager  437 229-1177  dennison@foryouth.ca  This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Franklin Horner Community Centre of Etobicoke Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families Education and training Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Laura Latham Executive Director 416 252-6822 franklinhorner.laura@gmail.com
Free For All Community Services Inc. Halton Peel, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Dr. David Green Executive Director 416 716-6324 david.green@ffacs.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Georgian Bay Biosphere Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound & Timiskaming Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Dr. Rebecca Miriam Pollock Executive Director 705 774-0978 rpollock@georgianbaybiosphere.com
Green Venture Hamilton Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families Education and training Improving access to resources for economic stability	Giuliana Casimirri Executive Director 905 540-8787 ext. 117 director@greenventure.ca
Harriet Tubman Community Organization Toronto Grassroot group capacity: 1	Youth justice Increasing access to mentors	Priscilla Hinnewaah Community Engagement Director 416 712-0844 priscilla@tubmancommunity.org
Human Endeavour Simcoe-York Grassroot group capacity: 1	Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Noor Din Executive Director 416 726-3252 noor.din@humanendeavour.org
Impact ON Ontario Grassroot group capacity: 2 *Francophone organization	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Félix Corriveau Executive Director 416 364-4545 felix.corriveau@impact-on.com
JAYU Festival Inc Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Arts and culture	Amanda Blair Roberson Executive Director 416 433-9347 donations@jayu.ca
JIAS (Jewish Immigrant Aid Services) Toronto Simcoe York, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors Newcomer support Mental health and well-being	David Lin Grants Specialist 416 630-6481 ext. 5743 davidl@jiastoronto.org
Lakeshore Arts Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Arts and culture	Annie Rollins Executive Director 416 201-7093 annie@lakeshorearts.ca
JIAS (Jewish Immigrant Aid Services) Toronto Simcoe York, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors Newcomer support Mental health and well-being	David Lin Grants Specialist 416 630-6481 ext. 5743 davidl@jiastoronto.org
Midaynta Community Services Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families Youth justice Systems navigation	Muna Ali Program Coordinator 647 355-8567 munaali@midaynta.com
Naseeha Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Hida Saleem Operation Manager 905 538-5914 hadia.saleem@naseeha.net
Neighbour to Neighbour Centre    Hamilton   Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families  Education and training  Systems navigation   Housing and social supports  Improving access to resources for economic stability  Arts and culture	Barrington C. Hector   Executive Director   905 574-1334 ext. 201   bhector@n2ncentre.com This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Next Generation Arts Toronto; Simcoe York Grassroots group capacity: 1	Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Jen D. Fabico-Smith Executive Director 437 703-5553 jen@nextgenerationarts.ca
North Bay Indigenous Hub Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound & Timiskaming Grassroots group capacity: 2	Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation	Laureen Linklater-Pizzale Executive Director 705 995-0060 llinklater.pizzale@gmghub.ca
Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre Halton Peel Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Michelle Knoll Executive Director 905 257-6029 michelle@opnc.ca
Parents partenaires en éducation Ontario Grassroots group capacity: 1 *Francophone organization	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training	Balguissa Ouedraogo Director of inclusion projects 613 408-7334 balguissa.ouedraogo@ppeontario.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Peel Career Assessment Services Inc Peel Region, York Region, Simcoe County and Hamilton Grassroot group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Devanand Maharaj Chief Executive Officer 905 670-1967 dev@peelcareer.com
Planned Parenthood Ottawa Champlain Grassroot group capacity: 1	Education and training Housing and social supports	Lyra Evans Executive Director 613 793-9469 director@ppottawa.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Prince Edward Learning Centre Quinte, Kingston, Rideau Grassroot group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Culture and arts Increasing access to mentors	Kathleen Kennedy Executive Director 613 476-1811 kathy@pelc.ca
Regroupment ethnoculturel des parents francophones de l'Ontario (R.E.P.F.O.) Champlain Grassroot group capacity: 1 *Francophone organization	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Abdourahamane Diallo Executive Director 613 741-9441 adiallo@repfo.org
Restoration and Empowerment for Social Transition Centres (REST) Halton Peel Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families Education and training Youth justice Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Dagma Koyi Executive Director 905 863-1118 dagma.koyi@restcentres.org
Rexdale Women's Centre Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Arts and culture Improving access to resources for economic stability	Jyoti Singh Executive Director 416 745-0062 jsingh@rexdalewomen.org
Sault Ste Marie Innovation Centre Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin & Sudbury Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	David Thompson VP of Programs 705 942-7927 dthompson@ssmic.com
Save the children Canada/Aide à l'enfance Canada Ontario Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families	Cheyenne Haylor Partnership Manager, National Reconciliation Program 647 268-4909 chaylor@savethechildren.ca
SAW Video Media Art Centre Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Emily Ramsay Executive Director 613 238-7648 director@digitalartsresourcecentre.ca
Skills for Change Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability	Shawn Newman Director, Research & Program Design 416 457-3940 snewman@skillsforchange.org
Somali Canadian Association of Etobicoke Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability	Barlin Nur Ali Director of Programs 416 742-4601 barlin.nurali@somalicanadian.com
Somali Women's and Children's Support Network Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families	Farhia Warsame Executive Director 416 241-6594 somaliwomen@bellnet.ca
TAIBU Community Health Centre Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge; Essex, Kent, Lambton; Halton Peel; Hamilton; Niagara; Toronto; Waterloo, Wellington & Dufferin Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Liben Gebremikael CEO 416 644-3539 ed@taibuchc.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Talk Is Free Theatre Grey, Bruce, Huron & Perth; Halton Peel; Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound & Timiskaming; Simcoe York; Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Arkady Spivak Artistic Producer 705 792-1949 arkady@tift.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Tangled Art + Disability Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Education and training Employment and training Arts and culture	Jack Hawk Outreach Coordinator 416 824-0599 jack@tangledarts.org This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Unison Health and Community Services Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Sewit Tamene Director, Pathways & Anti-Violence 647 206-0665 sewit.tamene@unisonhcs.org This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Unity Charity Grand River; Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training, Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Mahad Shoaib Executive Director 647 308-9297 mahad.s@unitycharity.com This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
University Settlement Halton Peel, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Priyanka Bakhshi Development and Communications Manager 416 598-3444 ext. 225 priyanka.bakhshi@universitysettlement.ca
Vibe Art  Toronto  Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families  Education and training   Youth justice Arts and culture  Increasing access to mentors	Jason De Mata   Mentorship & Projects Manager   647 992-1527   mentorship@vibearts.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Welcome Centre Shelter for Women Essex, Kent, Lambton Grassroot group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Housing and social supports Increasing access to mentors	Lady Laforet Executive Director 519 971-7595, ext. 228 l.laforet@welcomecentreshelter.com This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training, Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Joshua Hood Executive Director 416 755-921 jhood@wsncc.org This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Women's Centre of York Region Simcoe-York Grassroot group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Employment and training Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Nivedita Balachandran Executive Director 905 853-9270 nivb@wcyr.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
YNOT Halton Peel, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Improving access to resources for economic stability	Nenlapmwa Comfort Dyitkuka Program Manager 647 427-4898 comfort@ynotservices.org
York Region Food Network Simcoe York Grassroots group capacity: 2	Education and training, Employment and training Improving access to resources for economic stability, Increasing access to mentors	Kate Greavette Executive Director 905-841-3101 ext. 206 kateg@yrfn.ca

Potential Organizational Mentors

Connect with an organization

Submit a grant application with a collaborative agreement

OMs approved as of June 24, 2026

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