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 2025-2026 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 March 25, 2025
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 |
|---|---|---|
The Arab Community Centre of Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2 |
| Dima Amad Executive Director 416 231-7746 poste 229 dima@acctonline.ca |
Aspire For Higher Grassroots group capacity: 2 |
| Eldon Holder VP. of Social Impact & Stakeholder 819 209-5104 eldon@aspireforhigher.ca |
Immigrant Women Services Ottawa Grassroots group capacity: 2 |
| Mercy Lawluvi Executive Director 613 729-3145 mercy@iwso.ca |
Impact ON Grassroots group capacity: 2 *Francophone organization | • Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families • Education and training • Employment and training • Housing and social supports • Housing and social supports | Julien Geremie Executive Director 416 364-4545 ext. 113 julien.geremie@cco.coop |
Keystone Child, Youth & Family Services Grassroots group capacity: 1 |
| David Willis President and CEO 226 668-4745 davidwillis@keystonebrucegrey.com |
KIP Canada Grassroots group capacity: 1 |
| Derek Reid Co-founder and director of operations 416 505-5333 dreid.kipcanada@gmail.com |
Nigerian Canadians for Cultural, Educational and Economic Progress Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2 |
| Celine Madjoufang Senior administrator 519 966-2767 c.carelle@ncceep.com |
Preston Heights Community Group Waterloo, Wellington & Dufferin Grassroots group capacity: 1 |
| Justin West |
SAW Video Media Art Centre Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 2 |
| Emily Ramsay |
Social Planning Council of Ottawa Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 2 |
| Dianne Urquhart |
The Teresa Group Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2
|
| Rajesh Pisharody |
Windsor Family Homes & Community Partnerships Essex, Kent, Lambton Grassroots group capacity: 2 |
| Angela Yakonich |
Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2 |
| Tomilola John Determinants of Health Program Manager 416 593-7655 tomilola@whiwh.com |
