OTF: Youth Innovations Scale Grant

OTF: Youth Innovations Scale Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Ontario Trillium Foundation
Amount: Up to C $150,000
Last Updated: September 22, 2025

Summary

The OTF Youth Innovations Scale Grant supports youth-led initiatives aiming to enhance or expand programs with a positive impact on young people. Eligible groups must demonstrate a successful two-year track record and the ability to sustain their projects. Priority is given to programs serving Indigenous, Black, and marginalized youth, promoting community engagement and systemic change through innovative approaches. This grant fosters the development of impactful, sustainable projects that empower youth and address societal barriers.

Overview

Ontario Trillium Foundation The mission of the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is to build healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario by investing in community-based initiatives and strengthening the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. Our values guide the Foundation, direct our activities and help shape our culture. Our volunteers and staff reflect these values in their actions and relationships. We act with integrity and fairness.We provide outstanding customer service.We lead change that matters to communities.We pursue excellence in all we do.We improve through knowledge and learning.We build trust through transparency and accountability.We pursue diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. Youth Innovations Scale Grant This grant can help you improve or expand your program if you have successfully delivered core activities for at least two years and have had a positive impact on youth. You also need to demonstrate that your group can sustain the program because of your group’s track record and continued engagement with youth and the community. . Enhance the quality of youth experiences to deepen the impact of a current projectThis project type is for groups that want to make a project event better to increase impact on youth. This project type 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 core group 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. Expand a current project to impact more youth This project type is for groups that want to reach more young people and expand the impact of their 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 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 expand the reach of the project and achieve your chosen Priority Outcome to serve more youth.Your core group 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. Priority Outcomes 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. List of Priority Outcomes Empowering girls and young women to lead, including women's economic empowerment initiativeSupporting Indigenous, Black, and/or newcomer youth to enter the labour market and transition to sustainable career pathwaysSupporting youth in and/or leaving care and/or involved in the justice system to navigate and access resources for wellbeingNote: For this outcome, core group members can be up to 35 years of ageAddressing racism and its impacts on youth in urban, rural and/or Northern communitiesCreating safe spaces for Indigenous and/or Black youth to build strong community and cultural connections Priority Beneficiaries include: Indigenous youth (First Nation, Métis, or Inuit)When selecting Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit), beneficiaries can be from urban, rural and on reserve communitiesBlack youthRacialized youthNewcomer youthFrancophone youthTwo-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) youthGirls and young womenYouth living with disabilities or special needs between the ages of 12 to 29Youth living in rural, remote and/or Northern communitiesYouth in conflict or at risk of being in conflict with the lawYouth in care or leaving careYouth in low-income situations or from low-income familiesYouth who are homeless or at risk of being homelessYouth at-risk of dropping out or have dropped out of school*Youth living with mental health needs and/or addictions between the ages of 12 to 29Youth who are not engaged and/or at risk of not being engaged with education, employment and training programs

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The YOF 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 “by and for” principle is a requirement in all YOF funding streams.Your group may be eligible if it meets our definitions of a youth-led group or youth-adult partnership, and:Is led by youth, ages 29 years or under, who share identities and experiences with those they will engage in project activities Exists independent of a larger organization. This means the group has autonomy to choose their Organizational Mentor, design the project, identify group members, and plan for the future. Is based in Ontario Has three or more core membersCore team members have a history and experience delivering project activities over two years or more togetherYour project may be eligible if it:Includes all required information Strongly aligns with your chosen YOF Priority Outcome The project model has been delivered for two or more years and there is a demonstrated track record of strong and positive benefits to youth engagedComplies with OTF policies (found here). 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 disabilitiesEligible expenses include:Staffing (with considerations for Mandatory Employee Required Costs (MERC) of 20%) 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) Contingency (maximum of 10% per year) Mandatory Expenses that need to be included in every Scale Request:Administrative Support Costs (OM)- 15% of total budget  Capacity Building: minimum of $4,000 to maximum of $6,000 per year

Ineligibility

The following are not eligible to apply: Registered charitiesGroups specifically designed to serve young people through committees or clubs of institutions, including municipalities, universities, schools, and hospitalsFor-profit businesses  Individuals Ineligible expenses include: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