Youth Innovations Test Grant

The Youth Innovations Test Grant, offered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), supports youth-led or youth-adult partnerships in Ontario to pilot new project ideas, research specific topics, or strategize around issues affecting youth.

Ontario Trillium Foundation

Overview of the Youth Innovations Test Grant program:

This grant is designed to encourage grassroots groups to test new approaches to supporting youth and addressing their challenges. The grant focuses on four main objectives: Piloting New Ideas: Allows groups to try fresh, untested approaches to meet the needs of youth in their communities. Conducting Research: Supports projects that explore specific issues, topics, or challenges faced by youth, with a focus on systemic barriers. Youth Engagement: Facilitates meaningful discussions, gatherings, and collaborations among young people to identify and implement solutions. Systemic Barrier Reduction: Prioritizes projects aimed at dismantling barriers that disproportionately impact Indigenous and Black youth. Projects funded by the Youth Innovations Test Grant can address issues across various sectors, including education, employment, health, and social justice. Funding covers costs like staff salaries, training, materials, outreach, and project-related travel.

Benefits of the Youth Innovations Test Grant program:

Financial Support: Enables grassroots groups to experiment with ideas and implement small-scale pilot projects.
Research and Exploration: Funds initiatives that delve into specific challenges affecting youth and gather insights for future action.
Capacity Building: Equips organizations with resources to engage and empower young people.
Targeted Impact: Focuses on addressing systemic barriers faced by Indigenous and Black youth in Ontario.

Eligibility criteria of the Youth Innovations Test Grant program:

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
Applicant Type:
Grassroots groups led by youth.
Youth-adult partnerships.
Youth Focus: Projects must target youth aged 12-25 or up to 29 for youth with disabilities or special needs.
Priority Demographics: Projects should primarily benefit Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, or Inuit) or Black youth.
Geographic Scope: Must operate within Ontario.
Community-Led Approach: Applicants must demonstrate meaningful engagement and leadership from the youth they serve.