URBANPROMISE TORONTO
YOUTH COMMUNITY RESTORATIVE PROJECT
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UrbanPromise Toronto is excited to provide youth ages 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.
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
- Read through microgrant proposal FAQ - Microgrant Proposal FAQ
- Submit a microgrant application proposal. Must successfully answer how this project serves or improves the conditions of their community. Microgrant Proposal Application
- Connect with UrbanPromise Toronto Ministry Supervisor or Leadership Development Coordinator for mentorship and training.
- Submit contact and banking info after receiving approval. Contact and banking info
- Receive up to $5,000 of grant funding to implement the project and assess its success.
- Take photos and video of the project implementation and share with the project supervisor
- Track receipts and complete the Microgrant Expense Form
- Fill out the microgrant feedback form after completion of the project. Microgrant feedback
- Attend a microgrant completion recognition event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? We have the answers!
What is the funding criteria?
- - Reconciliation
- - Building an inclusive Canada
- - Preserving the environment
- - Promoting civic and democratic engagement
- - Strengthening youth resilience
- - Potential new themes that are youth-identified
How can the funding be used?
Funds can only be used to support the planning and execution of your project, which may include:
- - Advertising – paper or social media advertising
- - Community outreach
- - Food and refreshments for group events/meetings
- - Payment to presenters or trainers
- - Renting a facility
- - Transportation
- - Equipment
- - Project Implementation
- - Monitoring or evaluation
Ineligible expenses include:
- - 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
What are the examples of projects?
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
- - Travel and serve another community organization, and lead a workshop on what you learned
- - Research projects
- - Food insecurity
What are my requirements?
- - 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
After the project is completed
- - 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
