Successful 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.
YOF believes that grassroots leaders with at least two years of experience running community-based projects have the skills to expand and improve them for the communities they serve. By scaling these proven initiatives, they can further improve the social and economic well-being of youth in their communities. A Youth Innovations Scale grant is designed to help groups:
- Enhance their existing project to create a deeper impact, or
- Expand their project to reach more youth.
YOF prioritizes grassroots groups that are looking to address the experiences of Indigenous and/ or Black youth who continue to face systemic barriers and oppression.
In addition to prioritizing Black and Indigenous grassroots groups, YOF prioritizes investing in projects that positively impact youth with the following lived experiences or identities:
- Youth in conflict or at risk of being in conflict with the law
- Youth in care or leaving care
- Youth at-risk of dropping out or have dropped out of school
- Youth living with disabilities and/or special needs between the ages of 12 to 29
- Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) youth
Term length: Minimum 2 years, Maximum 3 years
Amount awarded (per year): Maximum $150,000
The Expression of Interest is the first step of a grant application and it provides OTF with the information needed to assess your proposed project. Groups with Expressions of Interest that are shortlisted will be invited to complete Step 2 of the grant application. It is due April 9, 2025.
The final grant application is due July 9, 2025, at 5 PM ET