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How To Apply

Please read through to ensure eligibility.

ELIGIBILITY

Review the eligibility checklist below, and make sure you can say “yes” to these statements:

Your project is led by a passionate and committed Indigenous youth who lives in Ontario
Your project will contribute to a healthy community, having meaningful benefits to people and the environment
Your project will benefit a community in Ontario
You have identified the resources needed to successfully complete the project including financial and other types of support
You are looking for funds between $500 - $10,000
*If you can make a strong case for extra funds beyond the 5K - the review team and youth advisors will take it into consideration
You are open to participating in the OIYPP annual gathering to learn from and with other youth leading projects, supporters and mentors

Charitable home: This means that you have an organization such as friendship centre or partnering organization that has a registered charity number or qualified donee status that will receive your grant on your behalf. If you don't have one, don't let it stop you! We are here to help and will do everything we can to find one. If you have any questions or need help - reach out! We are here for you!

Research: Talk to your community and make sure your project addresses an issue that is important to you and your community.

Contact us if you have any questions about your eligibility.

GETTING STARTED

Vision: Take time to get your ideas together, and think about what change you want to make with your project

Clarify: Organize your project ideas and goals so they are specific, meaningful, attainable, realistic and time-bound (SMART goals)

Connect: Discuss the project with your mentor and/or community.

COMPLETING THE APPLICATION:

Share: Tell your story - describe your community, the project, and what you would like to do - use clear and brief language, digital media and your imagination

Respond: Read the questions carefully and review your material - don't leave anything blank

Review: Have a friend or mentor proofread your application- it should take under 10 minutes to read/review in total - use the timeframes indicated at the top of each part of the application as a guide

Do it again: Take a final look at your completed application package - pause - breathe, and take another look

Deliver: Submit the application via our online form or download and fill out and send via email to [email protected]

GRANT PROCESS

Learn how you can apply for funding and other supports to help implement or support a youth-led project.

KEY INFORMATION

Review the eligibility criteria - the key things are that your project is youth-led, is supported by a mentor, and takes place in Ontario
You can apply for a grant between $500 and $5,000 *if you can make a strong case for extra funds beyond the 5K - it may be considered by the review team and youth advisors
If you have applied in the past, you can apply again
You can submit multiple applications for different projects
We are happy to support you through the application process, so do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

THE PROCESS

We’re committed to providing a friendly, accessible, and simple process. One that allows us to learn about you, that helps build your confidence in seeking support for your work, and that builds our partnership!

Here is what happens when you submit a grant application to OIYPP:

Our core team will let you know that we've received your application
If there are missing pieces, or if we have clarifying questions about your application, we will let you know
A couple of members of the OIYPP core team will review each application and create a short list of 20 or less applications
An application review committee made up of the OIYPP core team, Youth Advisors, and supporters will review the short list of applications
The review committee will conduct individual reviews of the application, followed by group discussions to review the applications together and share their thoughts
If the review committee has questions about any applications, the OIYPP coordinator will reach out to the applicant to get further clarifying information to take back to the committee
The review committee will come to consensus on the applications that will receive funding, and those that OIYPP can offer other supports. Outside of funding, OIYPP may be able to offer support such as: mentorship, project promotion, shared learning, partnership and network building
We will get in touch with all applicants to share the decisions made about your application, and to acknowledge your efforts