Youth Community Restorative Project

Empowering Youth to Lead Community Change Through Innovation, Leadership, and Restorative Action

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UrbanPromise Toronto is excited to provide youth aged 15 - 30 with an opportunity to develop leadership skills and make a meaningful impact in their community through the Canada Service Corp Micro-grant stream funding. The microgrant fund is a one-time cash payment, up to a maximum of $5,000, to youth from Toronto Community Housing or who live near or serve within these communities.

The purpose of this grant is to support innovative youth-led projects that primarily serve but not limited to, children and youth in 3 Toronto community Housing neighbourhoods: Rexdale, Warden Woods, and Glamorgan. Projects can extend beyond these communities and age groups.

The goal is to provide youth with mentorship, increase self-confidence, and develop employable skills in conflict resolution, communication, project management, financial management, leadership, collaboration, and resiliency.

A group of children participating in a craft activity at a table in a bright and lively room. They are wearing aprons and hats, with supplies such as cups, shoes, and craft tools in front of them.
Logo of Canada Service Corps with accompanying text about UrbanPromise Toronto Youth Community Restorative Project, funded by Canada Service Corps, aiming to empower youth aged 15 to 30 to build skills and give back to the community, with a URL for more information.
Children playing and running on a grassy field, possibly during a sports practice or game, with small orange cones set up as markers.

Eligibility

  1. Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons who have received refugee status in Canada

  2. At least 15 years of age and no older than 30 years of age at the time when the microgrant project begins

  3. Submit only 1 proposal per fiscal year (April 1st, 2025 - March 2026) 

  4. Cannot be joined with another proposal or a similar proposal 

  5. A small group of 2-3 can submit 1 proposal

The Process

  1. Read through microgrant proposal FAQ. Microgrant Proposal FAQ

  2. Submit a microgrant application. Must successfully answer how this project serves or improves the conditions of their community. Microgrant Proposal Application

  3. Connect with UrbanPromise Toronto staff or a mentor for coaching to write your proposal and execute your project.

  4. Work with UrbanPromise Toronto staff or a mentor to fill out and submit a full proposal. Service Project Proposal‍ ‍

  5. Submit contact and banking info after receiving approval. Contact and Banking Info

  6. Receive up to $5,000 of grant funding to implement the project and assess its success.

  7. Take photos and video of the project implementation and share with the project supervisor

  8. Track receipts and complete the Microgrant Expense Form

  9. Fill out the microgrant feedback form after completion of the project. Microgrant Feedback Form

  10. Attend a microgrant completion recognition event.

Microgrant Proposal Application
Contact and Banking Info
Microgrant Expense Form
Microgrant Feedback Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We have the answers!

    • Reconciliation

    • Building an inclusive Canada

    • Preserving the environment

    • Promoting civic and democratic engagement

    • Strengthening youth resilience

    • Potential new themes that are youth-identified

  • Funds can only  be used to support the planning and execution of your project, which may include: 

     

    1. Advertising – paper or social media advertising

    2. Community outreach

    3. Food and refreshments for group events/meetings 

    4. Payment to presenters or trainers 

    5. Renting a facility 

    6. Transportation

    7. Equipment

    8. Project Implementation

    9. Monitoring or evaluation

    • A trip to an amusement park for a few friends

    • Weekend getaways

    • Personal health & wellness treatment (spa, counselling, etc)

    • Political activities

    • Providing financial assistance to others

    • Financial payments for volunteers

    • Travel outside Canada

    • Personal & living expenses

    • Shopping spree or purchasing of gifts distributed to the community

    • Purchasing of groceries for the community that is not tied to a broader project initiative

    • Debt payment

    • Membership fees

    • Rent or mortgage payment

    • Tuition fee

    • Alcohol or cannabis

  • The goal of this program is to support youth-led projects that serve the broader community and build leadership skills, so please do not feel limited by these suggestions:

    • Community children & youth trips

    • Serve seniors

    • Care & wellness for single-parent caregivers

    • Organize a local clean-up day event coupled with educational workshops on environmental conservation and sustainability

    • Host a cultural festival celebrating diversity through food, music, dance, and arts

    • Community children and youth classes (robotics, cooking, dance, music, fitness, etc.)

    • STEM projects

    • Homeless care packages

    • University tour

    • Organize community events (sports, dinners, BBQ, fun fair, talent show, etc.)

    • Restore & renovate community spaces

    • Community space murals and paintings

    • Workshops

    • Educational

    • Promoting a local health and wellness event

    • Serve another community organization, and lead a workshop on what you learned

    • Research projects

    • Food insecurity

    • Submit a project proposal application form (Microgrant Proposal Application)

    • Select a UPT supervisor or an approved partnering community organization leader

    • Fill out a budget worksheet

    • Fill out the contact & bank info form to receive an e-transfer (Contact & Deposit Form)

    • Create a system to maintain project expense receipts

    • Commit to 15–20 hours of volunteering, receiving coaching, planning, and project execution

    • Complete budget worksheet

    • Submit receipts (if lost, take a screenshot of the bank statement)

    • Return any leftover funds by e-transfer to: admin@urbanpromise.com

    • Return any purchased capital asset to UPT (camera, laptop, mics, equipment, furniture)

    • Fill out the project feedback form (Microgrant Feedback)

    • Attend a recognition event to receive a certificate of completion